When Christmas time comes and we’re still new to having pets and kids in the house, we might feel a little bit lost. Is it safe to put up a Christmas tree? Is it okay to decorate with regular ornaments? What should I do to keep dogs from playing with the tree?

Well, first of all:

Take a deep breath!

Now, keep reading to find the best ideas to decorate the Christmas tree while still keeping babies and pets safe!

“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” - Norman Vincent Peale

Use a baby’s playpen

A playpen will be great to keep dogs and babies away from the tree.
A playpen will be great to keep dogs and babies away from the tree. Image source: Mum’s Lounge

A baby’s playpen or a puppy’s playpen, both will do the trick just fine. The one above is just perfect because it allows to see the whole tree, the presents you’re putting under there, and you can even find some pretty bows to decorate around the “fence”. Isn’t it nice?

Create a barrier

Dogs and toddlers aren't able to get past the present barrier.
Dogs and toddlers aren’t able to get past the present barrier. Image source: Oddee

This trick won’t really do any good if your pet is a cat. However, for other pets and for babies or toddlers, it should work. They won’t even need to be real gifts, they can be just big decorated boxes to create that barrier around the bottom of the tree.

Cat Ornaments

Cat toys might work to keep these pets distracted.
Cat toys might work to keep these pets distracted. Image source: Bored Panda

Decorating the bottom part of your tree with some cat toys might just be the trick you need to keep cats from tearing it all down, and eating the branches. Some people say this works and keeps the cat distracted, but I’ll be honest: I still have my doubts.

Besides,

You could also decorate with regular baby toys, and those soft puppy toys with squeakers.

Decorating Half of the Tree

If there are no ornaments on the bottom half, toddlers tend to lose attention.
If there are no ornaments on the bottom half, toddlers tend to lose attention. Image source: Bored Panda

Decorating only half of the tree can come in handy! Even though this will work wonderfully to keep kids from taking the tree ornaments and putting them in their mouths (as well as it’ll prevent dogs from doing so), this idea may not be as effective if you have cats around.

They’re the sneakiest little creatures, these cats…

So sneaky we can barely find him.
So sneaky we can barely find him. Image source: Bored Panda

Put the Tree in a Higher Place

Go for higher places and your tree should be safe.
Go for higher places and your tree should be safe. Image source: Bored Panda

If you’re willing to give up the huge Christmas tree by the living room corner, you can opt for a smaller tree and place it on top of a piece of furniture. It could go on the fridge, on a nightstand, on a bookshelf, or even replace a lamp on your side table - as long as it is high enough to keep toddlers and pets away from it.

Get Creative with Different Types of Tree Decor

Some people decided to go an extra mile and try something really different for their Christmas, check these out!

Upside Down Tree

Hang the tree on the ceiling so no pets or kids can reach.
Hang the tree on the ceiling so no pets or kids can reach. Image source: Mum’s Lounge

This person didn’t want to give up the tree, so the solution they found: hang the tree on the ceiling! As long as all the ornaments are well placed and not in risk of falling on anyone’s head, this idea is pretty cool.

By the way,

Did you notice the cat standing by the corner? How disappointed do you think it was when there was no tree to climb this year?

Wall Tree

This looks great and it's totally safe for toddlers!
This looks great and it’s totally safe for toddlers! Image source: Oddee

These parents were one of the most creative ones! They decided not to go for the tree, but instead, decorate a wall with branches and attach ornaments right there. It looks great and much safer for the kids!

Here are a couple more ideas to keep your toddler safe during the holidays:

  • Use shatterproof ornaments
  • Use ribbon to hang ornaments (to avoid those sharp wire hangers)
  • Christmas lights go in the middle, not on the edges
  • Put bells around the tree (that way you’ll know if someone is messing with it from far away)
  • Get a mini tree for your toddler they can decorate with their own safe toddler toys

Faux Tree

A pallet can be great to paint a Christmas tree and decorate your home.
A pallet can be great to paint a Christmas tree and decorate your home! Image source: homeyou

If you don’t want to go through all the trouble of having to hang a tree on the ceiling, or having to install a playpen around your tree, you can simply opt to not have a tree at all. Instead, find a DIY tree alternative - such as a pallet tree, or a hanging Christmas mobile - and enjoy your Christmas at best.

Bonus: Puppy Away!

Puppies are adorable, but also hard work.
Puppies are adorable, but also hard work. Image source: The Spruce Pets

Here are a couple more tips on how to keep your furry friends away from the Christmas tree:

  • Aluminum (silver) foil make a festive look and both puppies and smaller cats hate stepping on it
  • Menthol smell (like Vicks VapoRub) can work as dog repellent since they usually hate that smell. Simply soak a couple of cotton balls and put them on the bottom half of the tree
  • Place chews and soft toys stuffed with dog treats under the tree, that way they’ll safely chew those instead of your tree branches

What’s your favorite idea to have a safer Christmas tree for pets and babies? Let us know on Facebook!

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