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Christmas

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Original poster

Alternative ideas to a Christmas tree?

34 replies

QueenFree · 07/10/2023 09:47

DS is 9mo old and crawling. He is in the mode of destruction around the house at the moment. I can't see that calming down any time soon 🙈

This year we won't be able to have a tree as it will be a constant battle stopping him from pulling it over/pulling off the baubles.

Are there any alternatives I can do above reaching level?

OP posts:
puppylambkins · 07/10/2023 10:27

For about 4 years in a row I couldn't trust my crazy dog not to wreck my tree so I bought a beautiful garland that I added lights and bits to and put it across mantelpiece making that the focal point it was really lovely! Then I moved house to no fireplace but thankfully DDog has calmed down so I can have tree

greyandwindy · 07/10/2023 10:29

What about one of those twig tree things from hobbycraft, you can decorate it with little baubles and a small string of lights. They're the perfect size for being on a table or window ledge etc

Lamelie · 07/10/2023 10:30

I always had one up and used it as a teachable month of diverting moment

Floralnomad · 07/10/2023 10:31

Just have a tree but with baubles that don’t break , which will be a good idea until the child is about 4 ! 2 children , assorted puppies and cats and we’ve always had a tree , for me it’s one of the best bits of Christmas .

TotalOverhaul · 07/10/2023 10:37

Coloured lights around windows and mirror frames. Big garlands on mantelpieces that don't hang down asking to be grabbed. And some really big thick ceiling garlands. You could have retro foil or paper ones, or hang huge baubles and snowflakes from the ceiling.

I think when DC were small we put the tree on a table inside the playpen and decorated the playpen with coloured lights. Totally safe and surprisingly Christmassy.

TheChosenTwo · 07/10/2023 10:38

I say just go with the tree and repeat no if he tries to pull at it!

Travellingraspberry · 07/10/2023 10:53

We had one of those pop up trees with the lights and baubles already attached for when DC was a similar age. Can't remember if we bought it or got given it but was fairly cheap and no sentimental decorations and pretty robust!

Booklover40 · 07/10/2023 10:55

My dd has this (Amazon) in her bedroom.

Alternative ideas to a Christmas tree?
Mammillaria · 07/10/2023 11:28

Could you cobble together something like this to hang on a wall behind a sofa or somewhere out of reach? Possibly a bit naff, but if it was me I think I'd be sad without some sort of tree!

Alternative ideas to a Christmas tree?
MrsBobo · 07/10/2023 11:32

We always had a tree, Just no delicate breakable baubles, and nothing around the bottom of the tree.

They need to learn they can't touch

ReeseWitherfork · 07/10/2023 11:32

Just put the non breakable decorations at the bottom.

In previous years, DS has gradually taken the bottom ones off over the course of the day and they end up on the floor. They get put back on when he’s gone to bed.

Novelty usually wears off after a few days.

MrsBobo · 07/10/2023 11:34

ReeseWitherfork · 07/10/2023 11:32

Just put the non breakable decorations at the bottom.

In previous years, DS has gradually taken the bottom ones off over the course of the day and they end up on the floor. They get put back on when he’s gone to bed.

Novelty usually wears off after a few days.

Ahh, you've reminded me of all the baubles he'd collect in a pile that he'd ripped off the bottom of the tree, and then had to put back on once he was asleep. Repeated daily.

ReeseWitherfork · 07/10/2023 11:37

MrsBobo · 07/10/2023 11:34

Ahh, you've reminded me of all the baubles he'd collect in a pile that he'd ripped off the bottom of the tree, and then had to put back on once he was asleep. Repeated daily.

Show quote history

All families have Christmas traditions eh.
I’ve got two toddlers in the house this year, I suspect the bottom of the tree will be cleared by 7am!

littleripper · 07/10/2023 11:48

We got a small one and put in on top of the sideboard at that age :)

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 07/10/2023 13:12

We always had one, crawling babies or not - but a fair sized real one, in a bucket of wet gravel - far too heavy to pull over. And any breakable/delicate decorations placed out of reach.

It’s not Christmas without a tree!

Original poster
QueenFree · 07/10/2023 13:16

Thanks everyone! I love having our tree and DH said perhaps we can have it set up in our room (ds rarely goes in there) so we can enjoy it at least 😆

Perhaps I'll try and set it up downstairs like normal...and wait to see how he reacts to it.

DS is currently in the phase of "no" being incredibly funny to him. Hopefully by Christmas he'll truly understand "no"...🤞

Edit: he does listen to "no" when he feels like it

OP posts:
LadyBird1973 · 07/10/2023 13:29

Could you put some kind of barrier around the bottom of the tree to keep him away? I'm not 100% sure about trees with crawling babies, in case the pull it on top of themselves.

Twig trees are a lovely alternative with high up baubles or put on a table. Or leave the baubles off and get a tree with inbuilt lights?

Wolvesart · 07/10/2023 13:37

We had a tiny real tree in a pot on the sideboard in the dining rm where it was too high to reach. It wasn’t one of those Bloom and Wild ones but same idea.

We also had lights on the mantle of the fireplace plus silver coloured metal letters spelling Noel. They were from Next, but it was years ago.

AdaColeman · 07/10/2023 13:40

You could make some mobiles with Christmas baubles and pin them to the ceiling. Then you'd still get the pleasure of Christmas sparkle and glitter.

I've seen some pretty tree branches painted white and decorated with baubles, paper snowflakes, lights etc then suspended over the dining table, they look really effective.

HelebethH · 07/10/2023 14:26

Stand it in a playpen if you have one

justthecat · 07/10/2023 15:05

I'm just putting lots of fairy lights up due to a kitten

Rosesandstars · 07/10/2023 15:15

A playpen/dog gate should work fine for a normal tree or you could get a 3/4ft tree and put it out of reach? Maybe replace glass baubles with fabric decorations or shatterproof baubles.

parietal · 07/10/2023 15:25

We had a small tree on top of a chest in the corner of the room when baby was that age.

Minttee · 07/10/2023 17:49

Put breakable baubles higher up and very few at the bottom. You might find he isn't too interested in the tree if you have some Christmas soft toys under the tree that he can play with

Original poster
QueenFree · 07/10/2023 18:00

These have been so useful. I'll get some twigs/branches to decorate if the tree is too irresistible for DS to pull over.

A lot of our baubles are quite meaningful as we buy a special one every year. I'll grab some shatterproof ones for the bottom and decorate with some Christmas soft toys underneath as a distraction 😉

OP posts: