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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to not have a "perfect" tree

75 replies

Lewwat · 04/12/2016 13:56

So... Christmas trees is up. I let the DC. (7&5) go to town and then that's the way it stays until it comes down. They are so proud of their handy work!

I've had a few people comment with Hmm saying how they have "tree ocd" and they can't possibly leave it as the kids do it. They either change it after or just do it themselves.

Am I the only one with a crap kiddified tree?!

OP posts:
Diamondsandpears · 04/12/2016 13:58

YANBU DC get involved here too.

Maverickismywingman · 04/12/2016 13:59

Let the kids do the tree. I think it's a great memory for them to have.

After all, we need to let our inner child free at Christmas.

Christmas (and life) isn't perfect. Let them enjoy themselves.

pinkblink · 04/12/2016 13:59

Ours is the same, the decorations are mainly around the bottom third of the tree haha, I don't care as long as the kids are happy

Original poster
Lewwat · 04/12/2016 14:00

pink same here Grin it's like real life elves decorated it

OP posts:
Gizlotsmum · 04/12/2016 14:00

I have tree OCD.. but that means the kids have one in their room that is all theirs to decorate and I don't change it at all

Pestilence13610 · 04/12/2016 14:02

Kind of the difference between the perfect home and the perfect house. Give me interactive, happy kids any day. Trees are for your family to celebrate, not compete. Enjoy your unique tree. Xmas Wink

1wokeuplikethis · 04/12/2016 14:03

Absolutely! That is part of the fun of Christmas. We always used to decorate the tree when we were kids and it looked like a gaudy eyesore but we LOVED it!

My newsfeed is full of friends' perfect Ideal Homes Christmas Edition style trees and I can imagine them having a meltdown if one precious bauble is moved out of place. Very much a look but don't touch kind of tree, based on impressing others. And it's rattled me a bit!

I like my tree to look nice and l also don't mind my three year old putting 5 baubles on the same branch because that's the way she has decorated and it has been FUN!

MrsJayy · 04/12/2016 14:04

Mum never let us do the tree bar a few boubles that she directed where they went. so when dds were younger I let them do it and it looked like the christmas fairy threw up on it put a bit of tinsle and its good to go we still have decorations that they made at primary they look like shit but i dont care

wineusuallyhelps · 04/12/2016 14:05

YANBU.

I have tree OCD! The kids have their own 5ft tree they can do what they like with. Our other one is mine and mine alone!!!!

I wish I was more like you!

PaperdollCartoon · 04/12/2016 14:05

My tree is 'perfect', all tonal golds and bronze, carefully planned decorations - I don't have kids. When I do I hope to have a messy kidified tree as well!

Gymnopedies · 04/12/2016 14:05

Yanbu, we usually do the same, although not sure for this year as DD is 10 months so a bit risky to put up a tree.

Amithenormalone · 04/12/2016 14:05

No perfect tree here. Ando made even worse with the 2 year old pulling it over this morning I sort of chucked it back together Xmas Grin

Crunchymum · 04/12/2016 14:07

We have 2 trees. One the kids do (which goes upstairs) and the other is our proper tree...

Pumpkin2010 · 04/12/2016 14:07

YANBU.

I let my kids decorate ours last year & it actually looked really lovely.

My 4 year old added a Spider-Man DVD to it for unique-ness Grin

MsMims · 04/12/2016 14:08

Do people using the term 'tree OCD' realise OCD is a debilitating mental illness, not just a fetish about having a perfect tree Hmm

Seriously, cop on to yourselves. So ignorant and insensitive.

Famalam13 · 04/12/2016 14:10

I currently have a nice themed tree as DS is 10mo. Once he starts making decorations I will be displaying them proudly and letting him take the lead with the tree. Want him to love Christmas as much as I do :)

tiej · 04/12/2016 14:12

My DD has OCD and I'm not offended in the least.

Believeitornot · 04/12/2016 14:12

Yanbu! My dcs, same age, decorated our tree. Funnily enough ds did ask for help with the tinsel because he thought his attempt was "messy" and I did the lights but aside from that we did it all together. With Christmas music playing, it was lovely!

Ratonastick · 04/12/2016 14:18

Our tree is up and it looks like a unicorn threw up on it. Me and DS threw rooted through the decs box and shoved things up as soon as they came to hand. The cat came along and knocked a few off so we shoved them back somewhere higher. It's one of the most important bits of Christmas and, every year, it's one of my favourite moments with DS. I can't imagine wanting to change a thing.

MsMims · 04/12/2016 14:18

Do you find the suffering of your DD comparable to decorating a tree then tiej ?

ChocChocPorridge · 04/12/2016 14:38

My 'tree' (don't live in the UK, and couldn't get a real one, so I've gone all modern on myself rather than give in and buy a fake one) I decorated myself, but the kids picked the baubles etc.

They see themselves as management and get me to do the actual work Grin

Previous years thought, with real trees we've been the bottom third laden in 5 colours of tinsel, and top half where I've hung all the chocolates so they don't get snaffled - it's how I like my trees - almost entirely obscured with sparkly stuff and the decorations the kids bring home from school.

altiara · 04/12/2016 15:09

I let the DC decorate the main tree and I bought myself 2 other trees to decorate with my 'tasteful' decorations! The main tree, we decorate with all all sorts of things that they made when they were tiny, things we were given and things we've acquired over the years. Lots of homemade 'looking' decorations. Looks great!

Fibbertigibbet · 04/12/2016 15:11

My mum always let us decorate the tree with her growing up, and proudly displayed our handmade, PVA glue covered creations (and still does, even though we are both grown-ups!). I loved it and look back so fondly at decorating the tree together, I definitely won't be having a tasteful tree once I have children!

Onawheel · 04/12/2016 15:15

Mine do the tree. They do whatever they like inc random homemade stuff. It looks great. Life too short to worry about the perfect tree Grin

ghostyslovesheets · 04/12/2016 15:17

I have 2 trees

fake - in the study/x-box room - decorated by kids
real - in the living room decorated by all but I dictate how!

they also have a little one in their rooms they can tinsel the shit out of!

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