This house has seen 3 kids and 2 puppies over the years so we know what is involved in keeping holidays in tact!! It can still look beautiful with a little effort.
•Decorate when baby is asleep or when puppy is in its crate. If they see things already put up, they’re less likely to mess with it. I don’t know what it is, but it has worked for me every time!! If they see you putting it up they will forever be touching it and rearranging things.
•Use shatterproof bulbs. This may be a no brainer, but I see so many try to put sentimental ornaments up and hope they don’t get broken. They have beautiful shatterproof bulbs now in every color and style you could imagine. Most of them are really inexpensive too. If you want to still put those family heirlooms up, put them on a smaller tree in a room they are less likely to go in like an office or your bedroom.
•Hooks...they scare me so much with kids and dogs. I’m so afraid someone is going to swallow one. When hanging ornaments squeeze the hook around the limb to secure it tightly. They are far less likely to come off this way. They also make plastic ones now which is a much better alternative to the sharp metal ones.
•I think this one goes without saying....don’t put breakable decorations on tables they can reach. I know. It’s not what you hand in mind for holiday decorating, but it’s just temporary. In a few years you can put them anywhere you please😉.
•Try to plug things in behind other things like a piece of furniture or right behind the tree. That way it’s at least out of sight. It’s not fool proof but it helps! And unplug them when you’re not in the room! Our puppy completely chewed the end of a plug off one year. I was just grateful it wasn’t plugged in!!
•Put trees in a galvanized bucket like the picture above. You can hide cords down in the bucket out of sight and there’s no tree skirt for them to pull on (or pee on if you have a puppy).
•This is not the most glamorous but use a disposable tablecloth for holiday kids tables. They have ones that have fun Santa and reindeer shapes that they can actually color (with washable marker of course).
•Keep in mind that anything can be pulled off and fall. I love putting my trees on boxes to make them look taller, but if you have a little one don’t underestimate their ability to climb the tree or pull on garland bringing down everything with it. I’m always hesitant to put heavy things on my mantle just in case someone pulls on the cord of the garland and it falls on top of them. Use some of your shatterproof bulbs and decorative bead strands to sprinkle across the mantle.
Some of these are no brainers, but I feel compelled to mention them. So many accidents happen during the holidays with little ones and puppies. Having little ones around the holidays is a completely different mind set. I’ve learned the hard way on some of these. 😊
Have a safe and happy holiday!!!💕
Comments