Xmas Trees

[astragirl]

We really want to get a nice tree this year but are worried that ds (2 in January) will pull it over all the time. What do other mumsnetters do, do you have a tree or will you wait until they're a bit older? Thanks

we have a simillar problem, ds is 4, and a real tree would be lovely. however, we have a v boisterous 1yo JRTX and the tree would last all of 5 mins!

We've always had a real tree and I have 2 very boistrous boys 18 months apart.

I just go witht hte non-breakable decorations on the bottom 1/3 of the tree, them helping decorate then me subtely movign bits to make it a bit more pretty!! Don't always get away with that though! Big chat about how special and pretty it is and for looking at not touching - no rough play near it etc.

Ds1 is nearly 5 and we've never had a fallen/pulled over tree, a few ornaments get scattered around the room but because they're always the non-breakable ones they can just be put back on...

I love xmas trees and it just wouldn't be the same without one for me or the boys...

Think you've just got to learn to be less precious about them.

Am looking forward to this year though as will be the one year we'll be able to properly decorate without worryiny about those sort of things etc as ds's going to be nearly 5 and 3.5 with much more understanding of it all and ds3 not due till spring

I have a very boisterous 22 month old and I've bought a pencil tree, the slimmest I could find. Am going to put it in a corner half behind an armchair so she can't really get to it. If it looks like she'll leave it alone (fat chance) then I'll move it out.

I can't see it lasting very long but am desperate for a big tree. Last year was a small one on a cupboard and the year before I was heavily pg and we had a horrible looking Christmas twig.

I've got three children (youngest 2.5) and we've never had a tree pulled over! WE do usually get ones with roots thpough which makes them more stable. Also it is possible to discourage children from touching these things successfully!

Don't put chocs on it, that only encourages them to touch it, and put non-breakable (wood or paper) decs at the bottom.
We've always had a tree and never a problem tbh.

I agree.
No breakables within reach and def. no choc!

Plus make sure it´s secure in a heavy base!

My sister always has glass baubles only on her tree, admittedly she doesn't have any animals like we do but my nephew (who is 4 this Christmas) has never broken any!

We have had more trouble with our cats than our children and the tree!

agree with wangle. the cats broke more baubles than the children have. So glass baubles to the top (along with tree chocs!) and plasticy ones at the bottom.

last year the dog was fine with the tree, but then he was fine with fireworks too. fastforward to 5th nov 2009 and he was going nuts. so a bit nervous about the tree this year!

Maybe we'll buy a small tree and see how it goes