We made the decision to skip a Christmas tree this year. With our limited space, and a very active and curious toddler, it just didn’t seem smart or safe to have a glass-covered bit o’ nature in the condo. Visions of ornaments falling our heads danced through my mind whenever I thought about it.
The Christmas tree plays such a major part in all of my holiday memories, and it makes me sad to think that for my son’s second Christmas, we won’t have one for him to enjoy. In fact, pretty much all of my holiday decorations are still in storage, because they just aren’t toddler-friendly. I’ll really miss having them around this year. The reality is, though, that for safety’s sake we needed decorations that were’t glass, wouldn’t crack a skull if they fell on one, and were as out of reach from grabby little hands as we could possibly make them. This was going to be tough.
Or so I thought! Enter a very serendipitious trip to Trader Joe’s!
As I was folding up TJ’s paper shopping bags (which I never get anymore because I use my own, but had forgotten them this time) I noticed that they were printed with snowflakes, festive words and phrases, and pine boughs. Hmmm, I thought. These are cute bags. How can I use them? Wrapping paper? Eh. *Lightbulb!* Ornaments to adorn our faux garland on the mantle!
But what could I do to spice them up a bit? Bring on the Stickles! (Never thought I’d be a lover of glitter glue at my age, but oh, do I love me some Stickles!)
I spent the evening Stickling my heart out, and the next day I trimmed my TJ’s paper bag ornaments and nestled them, along with some pre-made gift wrapping bows, into the garland. I rounded out my toddler-friendly(er) design, with a pint-sized rosemary tree (it smells so amazing, and was also from Trader Joes), an oversized pinecone, my papier-mâché angel tree topper, and my son’s framed Santa picture. I also hung a hand-painted wooden stocking on the wall above the mantle for an added burst of color and texture.
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So, no, it’s not a tree, but it’s still festive and fun! As Christmas gets closer (and once I get a chance to dig them out of storage), we’ll hang our stockings from the mantle, too.
Having kids changes everything, that’s for sure, but don’t let it stop you from making memories! With a little creativity and flexibility, you can incorporate holiday traditions to suit your growing family without having to worry about the safety of your little ones (or your own sanity!).
;).
