If you're not having a tree...

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

What are you doing with presents?

I can't imagine Christmas without a tree, but equally I can't imagine anywhere in the house that would be safe to put one at the minute (toddler twins!). DH thinks the enjoyment will be outweighed by the stress of looking after it and cleaning up after it, and I'm tempted to agree, but I want to make the living room etc look Christmassy - and what do you all do with presents?

I've tried googling Minimalist trees etc for something I could put on the sideboard and they all look a bit vile. ANy suggestions?

[ENormaSnob]

of mignons 10-12 foot tree.

We have a tree every year. I was worried about ds2(3) for the last 2 years but he was fine. He just used to gaze up in wonder and then move the baubles on the lower branches.

[OhCobblers]

Has anyone seen a silver twig tree that you could hang light ornaments on?
About 4ft?
Garden centres are generally a good place I know but there's only one decent one near me?
Thanks!

[mignonette]

We go to town every year with a real tree and it gets bigger and bigger. We have very high ceilings so can go 10-12 feet easily with head room above.

I love real trees but do wish our local estate that sells them would not insist upon having live Reindeers in pens for the children to look at. No matter what the RSPCA says, it can not be pleasant for living creatures to be surrounded by large, noisy crowds.

[Clothilde]

I saw an idea on Pinterest which was a Christmas tree shape cut out of felt and attached to a wall, with lots of decorations cut from felt which toddlers could stick on and pull off, like fuzzy felt.

[StaceymReadyForNumber3]

We're not having a tree this year, but we're also not going to be home past 8/9am Xmas day, it's stockings then off to BILs house, where santa will have left the presents. Sorry that doesn't help much does it?!

[TwelveLeggedWalk]

I haven't mentioned the giant dog yet have I...

[MadameBabawic]

IME cats are worse than toddlers with trees anyway...

[DewDr0p]

Actually tree or no tree you can't leave pressies lying around with toddlers in the house ime! I might just trust ds3 this year and he is 5!

[DewDr0p]

We used to position ours in a corner and tie it to a tack in the picture rail with sewing thread and it was fine. I used to shut the door on the living room some of the time too! Or you could use a stairgate to restrict access?

Alternatively, M&S has a wall mounted tree - would that work?

[ChippyMinton]

Have a fake one. Attach it to the wall with wire/nail. Put away any precious/breakable decorations until the DC are older. Relax and enjoy.

[MadameBabawic]

OMG I love that upside down tree, it's great!!

[MadameBabawic]

Nooooo, you have to have a tree!! it's christmas law

I would suggest a small one if you put up on a sideboard or somewhere up high (we did this when DDs were toddlers) - and the first few days the tree was a great source of amusement for pulling / touching / tugging but they soon get it that it's to look at !

[Vajazzler]

Can you put up a tree and then barricade it so it's safe from little fingers? Or get them a mini one too and some safe decorations that they can play with? Failing all else get one of these!