Who is BU about Christmas Tree decorations?

[GooseOrTurkey]

DH and I do not see eye to eye on this topical topic.

We have a small tree in the family room for the DC with non-breakable baubles in bright colours and tinsel etc, and a more tasteful red and gold tree in the front “adults only” (in theory!) room.

Over the last couple of years, DH has been sneaking additional baubles onto the tasteful tree. And I hate them. I really don’t think I am being precious; it’s not that they’re not quite the same size or colour. It’s that they are great big random shapes, and that they are hideous.

This year he has added a roast turkey on a platter, a car with a Christmas tree on the roof, a neon blue glass crab, a glittery green lizard, and a rainbow ice lolly. The last four aren’t even remotely related to Christmas FFS.

I keep hiding them around the back of the tree (“so people can see them as they come up to the front door, darling”), and he keeps moving them to front centre.

I say they are ugly and they just plain don’t go. He says I am being snobby (I’m not, they were more money than the red and gold ones!), and that his DM bought them for us (yes but only because he wanted them, and she spoils us; left to herself, she buys pretty ones).

We can’t put them on the DC tree because they’re fragile and the DC are too young. Plus, I don’t want to be explaining a Christmas lobster to a 5 year old and a 3 year old and a 1 year old .

So, who IBU? Should he be allowed to have whatever makes him happy, or should he leave my lovely tree alone and stop spoiling it with ugly things?

(Disclaimer: Light hearted but he might end up with a Christmas lizard up the arse if he keeps it up!)

[4yearsnosleep]

They sound awesome!

[burritofan]

Tasteful, colour-coordinated trees look corporate and bland and miss the point, IMO. Decorations shouldn't match, they should be a combination of naice, sentimental, inherited, made by the DC out of bog roll, etc, and there should be more decoration than tree. YABU.

[GingerbreadTeen]

Surprised we haven't got around to the question of tinsel yet! It's usually a matter of much debate at this time of year

[5foot5]

For those asking about the inexplicably popular lobster, here he is:

I love that lobster. And anyway after "Love Actually" surely it is almost traditional

[WillowUfgood]

I've actually started buying one or two "ugly" tree decs every year, so that in a few years our tree will be delightfully trashy, tyvm!

[GooseOrTurkey]

Tinsel is allowed on the DC tree only! And yucca plants, apparently, but we don’t have one.

We had lametta on the family room tree when I was a child. That’s even worse than tinsel. But it did take me and my DSis hours to put it away afterwards, one strand at a time, so maybe there was method in my DM’s 1970’s madness after all.

[Booboostwo]

It sounds like the second tree is just for you...which really embraces the spirit of family and love!

My mum did the whole 'precious tree ornaments must be placed in the exact right spot' which turned tree decorating into a stressful and unpleasant situation. My DB and I stopped taking part as soon as we could say no and she got bored doing it by herself.

[phoenixrosehere]

That’s fine in theory, Bertrand, but if you have any ideas on how to stop toddlers and pre-schoolers from yanking on the branches and grabbing the fragile baubles (and other decs), and possibly cutting their hands or feet, that don’t require the installation of a 24 hour waking watch, please do share your wisdom

This is why we don’t have a tree period and that we have never spent Christmas in our home. I spend most of my time at my in-laws guarding their tree because my boys want to touch it. My oldest wants to pluck and examine the leaves and my youngest wants to touch the lights and baubles. It’s exhausting and no way am I going to do the same at home too. I’m waiting til there older and have a better understood what is going on.

I do think yabu. It is not just your tree. You could either get a third tree of the same size as the one you have decorated or divide the tree up and you decorate one side and he does the other.

[phoenixrosehere]

*understanding of what is going on

[timeforawine]

His decs sound hideous OP, get him a tree of his own.
We have the tasteful tree in the living room which i do and my husband is happy for me to do so, a modern tree that he does in the entrance hall (blue/white and silver) and a small fibre optic tree for our daughter which goes wherever she takes it :-D
I'm with you OP, i like my tree to be tasteful with matching colours, mine is also red/gold/green

[CameraTime]

Incidentally, you know that when you die and your kids are clearing out the attic, they'll be fighting over who gets to keep "that weird prawn Christmas tree thing that mum and dad used to fight about".

[GooseOrTurkey]

You’re so right, Camera.

“Ahh, look! It’s the weird Christmas shrimp. You must take this!”

“Ooooh. No really, I couldn’t, you’re the oldest, you must remember it more.”

“No no, honestly, I insist. You need some memories too...”

[Ninkanink]

Next year it can be the second family Christmas tree - the children will be a year older and will each be capable of picking their very own bauble to go on the ‘fun’ tree, and it won’t matter how hideous they might be because it’ll be exactly right for the theme!

[Vulpine]

I've raised a few toddlers without lacerating their feet on baubles

[Aycharow]

This year we have added a flamingo and a robot to our bauble collection.

[ShannonShouts]

I like the sound of your DH’s baubles

[DBML]

Thank god my DH has no interest in Christmas baubles! I’d probably have a Christmas hammer decoration and a Christmas tube of silicone.

Who makes a Christmas lobster anyway?! 🤔

[Yetanotherwinter]

It’s not just your tree, it’s the family tree. It should be full of things you both love. Pick your arguments. This one isn’t worth it.

[SnorkMaiden81]

I love my Christmas Lobster too!

[funmummy48]

You’re being unreasonable. It’s not your tree, it’s his too so he has a say in what goes on the tree.

[stickerqueen]

we got some random stuff on both our trees wouldn't have it any other way I want a car with a christmas tree on the roof can I have yours lol

[AlwaysThereForEveryoneElse]

I'd divorce him if he touched the tree.. Haha
We have just 1 tree which is matching. Baubles in size order.
I have put the less special ones nr the bottom. Because of dd.

Next Yr ill buy another tree and whatever decs the kids want as dd will be old enough to choose some.

[Oneofthosedreadfulparents]

@TitianaTitsling I bought the T-Rex! Can't get past the aubergine emoji connotations though.

[DtPeabodysLoosePants]

I think we need photos of the trees OP.

[draughtycatflap]

”I like the sound of your DH’s baubles“

😂 @ShannonShouts