Alternative to Christmas Tree?

[Igglybuff]

Hi

We're thinking of not having a christmas tree this year. We normally have a large real one but with DS who'll be 15 months and into everything, he'll probably pull it down.

I don't want to put it in a playpen as it'll look silly IMO.

So any ideas what to do instead? Just loads of fancy decorations? I just don't know where to put the present pile!

[scareprudence]

Have a tree! Your DS will love it. Do children actually pull trees over?

[Igglybuff]

Well my SIL had to put hers in the playpen as her little ones kept pulling it - not sure if they got it down though! I'm also worried about the bristly bits as they're quite sharp on a real tree? My DH also gets a bit of a rash after touching them.

[girlywhirly]

Conifers can have quite an irritant effect on sensitive skin. Could you have a small artificial tree and put it on a sideboard or table out of toddlers reach? Or spray some large twigs and bunch together in a vase, then hang some baubles?

My DS was 16 m at his second Christmas, and we had a real tree. He soon learned that it was prickly and left it alone, as did our two cats! But ours was only 5ft.

[Igglybuff]

We could have a tree on the table although DH won't go for a fake one. I might try a little display - undecided. We'll spend most of Xmas with family so won't mind too much not having one but I'm getting excited about Xmas!

[DomesticGoddessInTraining]

I was really worried about DS pulling the tree over last year (he was 18 months then) but tbh, he hardly ever went near it (and he was/is usually into everything).

[BeehiveBaby]

I had a standard bay tree in a pot one year, it looked stunning and was obviously very stable. Went outside the door afterwards.