Sticky_Mommy responded November 19, 2007 at 1:17PM

  I love my job, it gives me a break from my kids!

Put the breakables on the upper part of the tree! You can let him "help" by putting decoration on bottom part and let him know not to touch. You can also get one of those fences to put around the tree like you would with a wood stove.

  vtmomof2 responded November 19, 2007 at 1:17PM

  Life is crazy but wonderful.

We always get a big tree, even when our son was small. If you are nervous, invest in a sturdy stand. We have a great tree stand that does not move. You can also anchor your tree to the wall with fishing line. Also put breakable ornaments up high so your son can't reach them. I used to put little toy ornaments on the bottom so our son could play with them, again we have a sturdy stand. You should not stress out, and you should not get a small tree just because you have a toddler. You have to teach him not to pull on things and keep an eye on him around the tree. We never had a mishap with our tree, and we have one big tree and a small tree in a different room that is our son's size and full of plastic ornaments that he can hang himself.

  dustbunny responded November 19, 2007 at 1:54PM

  dishing the dirt, cleaning the chaos

good question- get the big tree! put the crashables up high (although I learned to just forgo the shiny delicate balls :) and keep simpler ones at the bottom. your son will learn and yeah, good idea to anchor it w/fishing line. we've done that b/c our cat is nuttier than a toddler.

  vtmomof2 responded November 19, 2007 at 1:57PM

  Life is crazy but wonderful.

Dustbunny that made me think of my mom's cat. The cat used to sleep in her christmas tree, that cat would make a mess and find a spot in the branches and sleep. She was cute, of course she wasn't my cat.

  LatteMommy responded November 19, 2007 at 3:41PM

  LatteMommy

Breakables towards the top. Lights put on towards the center of the tree near the trunk (not on the limbs where they can grab them and pull or chew on them). Have him help with the soft ornaments. Most Important...this is what my DH does every year since we've been together and I love the idea...Put eye hooks in the walls and then tie fishing line around the trunk of the tree and tie it to the eye hooks in the walls (fishing line so you won't see it tied). This prevents the tree from falling over on top of ANYONE!
last year (or maybe the year before) Grandparents gave her a little four wheeler Barbie one...well she decided to run the thing up the Christmas tree....it was hilarious but the tree thank goodness stood upright and she just got some needles on her but fine. If the tree had fallen she would have been hurt. Those long child gates are GREAT too in keeping kids and animals away from the tree and trying to drink the tree water!
Happy Holidays!