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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Baby-proofing Christmas decorations?

13 replies

Pistachiotruffle · 07/10/2014 22:16

DS will have just turned one at Christmas. At the moment, he's a typical mobile baby - mischievous, inquisitive and into absolutely everything he shouldn't be. My house is quite small, and I'm having trouble working out how to decorate without constantly preventing a small child from climbing the Christmas tree/pulling all the baubles off/trying to eat the lights!

Has anyone any tips? I'm beginning to think a tree may be more trouble than it's worth, but I feel quite sad at the idea of not having one.

OP posts:

nemno · 07/10/2014 22:19

We put ours up on a high table. Another time inside a playpen.

Bragadocia · 07/10/2014 22:20

We were in a two room (1 bed, 1 living) flat for our first Christmas with DS, so we got lots of Christmas tree branches and stuck them in a huge pot, which was on a shoulder height bookshelf. He could gaze up at it from the floor and our arms, but not launch an attack! Not ideal but a nice way to make do when you haven't the space to block off a tree area.

Mrsgrumble · 07/10/2014 22:31

I jamming the two sofas into a corner to make a zoned off area for the tree, if that makes sense.

Going for battery operated candles on the dinner table. Garland on fireplace out of each etc.

MokunMokun · 07/10/2014 22:40

I just got a cheap tree and simple decorations. My son had a blast decorating and redecorating the tree. It was pretty much wrecked by the end of Christmas but he had so much fun and loved it so much. To be honest he is six now and every year he still does it. And the cat too pulls all the tinsel off! But for me I'd rather have a fun Christmas than worry about everything being perfect. I just put the presents under the tree on Christmas Eve after everyone has gone to bed.

Last year I got the Ikea fake tree and it seemed to fare a bit better. Years ago a friend gave me a set of outdoor lights which I use and never had a problem with. Now we have my son, a toddler and a crawling baby and the cat so I think it's going to be a lot of fun!!

erin99 · 08/10/2014 07:25

Fake tree wedged into a corner, on a little table. Swapped any delicate baubles for cheap plastic ones. It's only for a couple of years.

girlywhirly · 08/10/2014 07:52

Yes, definitely have unbreakable tree decs.

Finnellajoe · 08/10/2014 09:34

I have always had a real tree with glass decorations and never had an issue. I do put a small tree in the children's room and let them help decorate that one.

rootypig · 08/10/2014 09:35

Felt is your friend. Search felt ornaments on pinterest. Everything made of felt!

BettyFocker · 08/10/2014 09:41

We just carried on as normal (fake tree, plastic decorations) and told DS "no" and would move him away if he kept touching. After a few attempts the novelty wore off and he didn't bother. I don't think you should go without a tree!

StupidFlanders · 08/10/2014 09:45

I used a blow up tree one year and lately my tree has been in a large basket so it was higher. I saw on Pinterest someone wrapped large heavy boxes to make a "present" barrier.

fragolino · 08/10/2014 10:15

i woldnt worry they dont always go for decs.

Pollywallywinkles · 08/10/2014 19:10

I found no worked for me too.

BiddyPop · 09/10/2014 10:33

The year that DD was 1, we used the fake tree (we always use it any year that we are travelling too). And I didn't take out the lovely glass or otherwise really breakable baubles.

But we had lots of plastic and Styrofoam ones (from the 1st year of the tree when they were stonkingly cheap and/or given from DSis moving abroad) so it was not bare, but a lot more red than the previous few years. We also had a few fabric ones (including the stockings I had made a few years previously), and some metal ones too. I put the nicer, delicate ones up high, but DD was allowed to move the legs on 1 metal snowgirl (with articulated legs).

There were also a load of snowflakes, baby handprints, and cardboard shapes covered in paint and glitter from crèche.

And lots of "no" in the first few days of it being up. We also kept plenty of her toys on the other side of the room which tended to distract her and give me a chance to stop the toddle towards the tree.

Cards, garland on the ceiling (the pull out glittery type), mistletoe, wreath on the door etc, were all put up as normal.

But we did have to reduce the number of candles and moved those to on top of the mantelpiece.

We were also able to close the door on the tree (Living room) and spend plenty of time in the kitchen/diner doing other things and letting DD roam to her hearts content. She hadn't yet learned how to open the door!!

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