Pets: Dogs and cats are very curious creatures, and as such, your Christmas tree may be in jeopardy during the holiday season. Here are some clever ways to protect your tree from your curious pets.
- If you are planning to put up a large tree, place it in the corner of a room, so it’s not so much in your pet’s direct line of sight. Use an accordion-style baby gate around the perimeter to prevent your pet from reaching the tree.
- Make the base heavier to prevent it from falling over if your pets do happen to come into contact with it.
- Start decorations a little higher than usual – so tinsel, lights and ornaments are all out of your pet’s reach. Ingesting tinsel, biting on electrical cords and broken ornaments are all risks to your four-legged friends, so be careful about what your pet is able to reach.
- Avoid decorating your tree with edible decorations, such as cranberry or popcorn strings. These goodies are too enticing and pets will likely go after them.
- Use scents, such a citronella, to keep your furbabies away from your tree.
- Avoid shiny ornaments; these will only entice your cat further.
- Add noise making ornaments to your tree. This will help alert you right away if one of your pets lets curiosity get the better of them.
Limited space: Many people live in apartments or condos, and therefore their living room or family room just can’t accommodate a live, 8-foot tree!
- Downsize your tree and opt for a 3-foot tabletop tree instead. Choose between a traditional evergreen or an artificial tree. While a smaller tree is easier to put up and decorate, consider that clean-up is going to be easier too. The most important part of cleaning up will be putting decorations away safely, disassembling the tree, , and storing it in a suitable space.
- Think colour. While artificial trees come in traditional green, they’re also available in unique colours, such as white or pink. Selecting a different colour will really make the tree stand out and fill the space more effectively. It can also help make your tree ornaments pop with colour!
- Get creative! Make your own Christmas tree. For example, create a Christmas tree using ornaments, frame it and mount it on your wall. Not only does this take up no floor space at all, it also makes for a fun and crafty project.
An overflow of ornaments: After many Christmas’, it’s likely that your ornament collection has grown. Use this Christmas season to sort through the overflow and downsize your collection.
- Start by sorting your ornaments as you put up your tree this year. Empty the boxes and bins onto the floor. Throw away any worn or broken ornaments, then pack-up any ornaments that are in good condition, but no longer add value to your life, and place them aside to be donated. Once you’ve pared down, start decorating the tree with all the wonderful ornaments left over.
- Choose larger ornaments or ones that are unique in shape to hang first. These will add more depth and take up more space on your tree, meaning fewer ornaments will be required.
