Christmas Decorating with Toddlers...

wejustwant2:)

Hi!  Please share any ideas and/or photos you might have re: Christmas/Holiday decorating with the Little Ones...

 We have two little girls - the oldest just turned 3 and her younger sister will be 2 next week.  Last year I was very concerned re: baby proofing and was so busy that all we had time to do was a little artificial tree.  (Charlie Brown type tree...   It actually was nice because I didn't worry about them getting hurt and the holiday was very relaxed.

This year... we are hosting Christmas dinner (it is our turn) and my folks are visiting us from OOT.  Would like to do some type of decorating - please help!

TIA

ScissortailFlycatcher

The best way I remember from when I was growing up (no kids myself) was getting involved with my mom and not just watching.

Decorating sugar cookies was a big one. My mom would make and roll out the dough, we would cut out the shapes, she would bake and we would all sit for hours coloring cookies with a simple powdered sugar/milk and food coloring frosting.

Also, hanging up crafts and art projects we made at school/daycare. We also were allowed to help put up ornaments on the lower branches, and we would also point where we wanted one and our mom would put it there. With Christmas music blaring in the background. : )

Here's a website for some craft ideas. But, it's really easy to make your own stuff.

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-decorations/

getitdone

I agree with previous poster about letting the kids decorate the lower portion of the tree. I would suggest using the ornament hooks that are more like clips - plastic and green. That way you don't have to worry about the kids sticking themselves. Also, you may help them to make paper chains or craft ornaments to put on the tree. My parents still put some of our craft ornaments on the their tree . Plus my mom would go "fix" the tree once we went to bed to make sure it wasn't lopsided or anything . Also, not sure if you have a nativity or not, but that is one thing I always loved setting up as a child.

tiffanysbride

Last year DS was just shy of 2. The only thing we did differently was keeping the glass ornaments higher. DS didn't bother the tree with the exception of 1 ornament. A metal airplane, but he couldn't damage it. Not sure if we'll put presents under it this year, so you might want to forgo that.

I would do window candles, a wreath, Christmas table runner and a nativity or 1 display piece.  That should be enough to decorate and still be child friendly. I wouldn't do anything precious or fragile down in their reach, like our nativity is Willow Tree so he can't damage it from touching. Now give him a minute to throw it and maybe

Oh and an advent calendar might be fun for them to count down to Christmas. Plus they make some really cute ones.

wejustwant2:)

Thank you - am looking forward to the season.  Will probably put up a real tree...

goteamgo

Shatterproof (plastic) ornaments on the lower branches and decorate with homemade paper chains and paper snowflakes.