Toddlers express excitement at the sight of a Christmas tree. Little ones look at this for the first time with eyes filled with wonder that see lights and a physical tree they can touch and break. We do not want the family tradition of putting up the tree to turn into a disaster by having the tree destroyed or worse your child getting hurt.
Establish the Tree is for Looking: Not allowing the child to touch the tree will simply cause the child to want to touch it more. So, allow your child to touch it gently with just a finger. Yet, establish that the tree is for looking and not touching. Normally the child just wants to relieve an overwhelming sense of curiosity. Telling the child how to touch while allowing him to relieve his curiosity may just cut this problem off at the pass.
Toddler Safe Ornaments: When it comes time to decorate the tree you toddler will want to help out. Many ornaments are precious and sentimental and that last thing you want is for them to break. It can also be dangerous for a toddler to handle ornaments that break easily. So, sift through your ornaments and find once that will not made of glass and allow your toddler to hang those on the tree. Hang as many “safe” ornaments as you can at the toddler’s level to avert disaster when your eyes are averted.
A Play Tree: You can buy small trees at the dollar store and make felt ornaments that are safe for your child to have a tree he can decorate and redecorate as he wishes. He will learn that he can redecorate “his” tree but not the family tree. (Do not put lights on your child’s play tree.)
Taking a few extra steps will make your Christmas less stressful and safe. I have found that if you involve your child with the decorating and gently remind the child that a tree is not for play you will rarely have a problem. If you allow your child to play with a particular ornament or give latitude then you are teaching the tree is for play and will confuse the child. Some things are simply off limits.