I have a toddler, should I put up a Christmas tree?

For those of you who have read this blog all along (probably just my mom) you may recall that last year, I was a Scrooge and  DID NOT put up a Christmas tree.  My son wasn’t yet a year old so I came up with a million reasons why it would be too difficult.

I told myself he would drown in the stand water, electrocute himself with the lights or be crushed under the tree when it inevitably fell on him.

It very well may have been all of those things, but I think it was also my laziness and growing resentment of the holiday season. You see I have become something of a Grinch when it comes to ” the most wonderful time of the year.”

So this year I did something about it. I went all out with the “Christmas spirit” and it seems not only to have been fun for my son, but also has helped with my enjoyment of the holidays. I am getting to see the magic of the season through the eyes of my son. He is amazed by the entire process. For him this really is the first time he is able to be involved, and understands what is going on.

My little helper

My little helper

So far he attended a fun holiday party, been to a parade, seen the lights on our house and around the neighborhood, met Santa and even helped me cut down the Christmas tree.

I stayed up until the wee early hours of the morning getting the house and tree all decorated so that when Tristan got up this morning he would be amazed by the lights and ornaments.

I still have fears of my son slamming into the tree like a tornado in a trailer park, but I have taken a few steps to keep the collateral damage to a minimum.

The 3 types of ornaments that my son can reach.

The 3 types of ornaments that my son can reach.

On my tree you will find only 3 different types of ornaments on the bottom half. The first are the “unbreakable ones”. The soft plush decorations that are resistant to the wrath of my child. Second are the “alarm systems”. These ornaments are bells and will alert me anytime my son gets into the tree. Finally the third type are the “misfits”. You know the type I’m talking about. Those ornaments you have wanted to break for years, but because they were a gift from  great-aunt Mildred you haven’t dared to. These are placed precariously close to my sons grasp.

The late night and hard work paid off. The look on my son’s face this morning was great and he loves his big, bright Christmas tree.

A boy and his tree

He broke his first ornament at 7:49 Eastern Standard Time.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!

 

Pat Lemieux

About Pat Lemieux

Pat has it all, family, big old house, dogs, a young son and a quarter-life crisis. He blogs about trying to be who he has always been and be who he now needs to be. He enjoys 90's grunge metal, tasty local brews and the outdoors.