How would you protect the carpet where your as-yet-undelivered Christmas tree will stand?
Background: our cat is 18 years old and has various health problems, diagnosed and undiagnosed. He has daily urine accidents (and sometimes worse) in the house, which is not exactly conducive to festive domestic sparkle 
Anyway, I am considering breaking with tradition and putting up our decorations before our tree is delivered this year, and this involves clearing a space for the tree by moving some furniture. We will be away for the weekend before tree delivery and a friend will be coming in to feed the cat.
What can I use to cover up the tree space in our absence? Newspapers or towels may not cut it. Puppy pads? Don't move furniture at all? Stick with tradition and don't decorate until tree arrives? All suggestions welcome, thanks.