Because what's worse than decorating a Christmas tree with a toddler? It's being done twice.
You've made the annual pilgrimage to the Christmas tree farm, chosen the fullest Fraser fir (or erected that surprisingly lifelike pre-lit Aspen artificial from Costco), carefully placed each ornament on the perfect branch, and carefully lifted your child to the tree's apex for the honor of placing the star on top. Now it's time to unwind and enjoy comfortable, childish awe whenever you pass by its dazzling brilliance on your way to the washing room. Right?
False. If you have children under the age of five, putting up the tree is only half the struggle. (And what a battle it was, saying in your cheeriest Christmas voice, "Let's not touch that!" "Oops, don't plug that in!" and "Great job!" in regards to their interesting ornament placement before immediately moving that shit to a more secure location. Hell hath no fury like a toddler whose haphazard, perilous ornament placement has been messed with.)
Now you have to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't bring the entire thing down with their eager curiosity and love of putting everything—including bright metal objects—into their mouths. So, how can you keep both your festive Tannenbaum and your small children safe?
Make the tree unreachable.
Never underestimate the effectiveness of a baby gate. Is it going to ruin the immaculate beauty of what you've just created? Yes. However, it will also ensure that your work does not collide with the ground. If you don't want to put up unappealing obstacles, acquire a smaller tree, position it on a table where kids can't reach it, and keep it from tipping over (with duct tape or zip ties).
Arrange the ornaments (or go ornament-less)
Place the most treasured or fragile decorations on the top half of the tree (or hide them totally until your children are older) and softer, less expensive ornaments on the bottom third. You may leave the bottom half of the tree barren, but who wants a tree with no buttocks? You may even avoid decorations entirely and instead opt for red glitter bows that can be attached to the tree for a festive effect. However, there is no tinsel. That is a potential choking hazard.
Allow them to touch everything once (while you're present)
Instead of freaking out every time they extend a small, peanut-butter smeared hand, try some supervised "free play" time with the tree, during which you give them a tour of the decorations, explain what they are, and allow them to touch (gently) with no consequences. This one gesture may provide them with enough freedom that they will not feel compelled to exact retaliation for being repeatedly informed something is off-limits.
Design your own "alarm system."
When I was reading various advice on this issue, I came across this one: "Teach your youngster not to touch," and I laughed and laughed. I'm still laughing over it. Every parent understands that the more you tell a child not to do something, the more they feel compelled to do it. While that suggestion is neither realistic nor actionable, another struck me as rather ingenious. Place bell ornaments around the lower half of the tree so you'll be notified every time your child touches it, like to a low-cost toddler ADT system.
Give them something else to do
There are a few things you can do to make the real tree less of a focal point. Purchase a little tree for their bedroom (or set it on a table near the actual tree) with its own tiny, unbreakable decorations that they may adorn with abandon while no one else touches. Make a big deal about how it's only for them and that you won't interfere with their design. Purchase a felt Christmas tree with decorations they can rearrange as they choose, or temporarily transfer some of their favorite toys (or pebbles, or sticks) from the playroom to tree-side to divert their focus. A train that circles the tree would do the same thing.
#ChristmasTree #Cristmas
#SarcasticGamer #SarcasticReviewSOURCE: lifehacker
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