Decorating For Christmas: Toddler Style

Editor's Note:  Some kind of Christmas magic must be happening.  Because suddenly I can post pictures again.  So without further delay...

Decorating for Christmas has been, well, different this year.  For one, the kids notice so much more.  And want to interact with everything.  So we tried to let them help where possible, and keep things as kid-proofed as we can in the process.  Here's the rundown of what we've done so far to get festive up in these halls...

Our Christmas tree:  We bought a new tree this year.  Unlit.  Because lit ends up giving us more headaches that help.  Travis set the tree up and strung the lights.  I added red wooden garland.  Then I unpacked all our ornaments and we let the kids help.  They had a blast.  We had heart failure a few times.  And in the end, the tree got completely taken down and redone that night.  (Partly because the kids thought clumping ornaments was a good strategy, partly because they seemed to instantly know which ornaments were our least favorites and decide that they were clearly front-side-center material, and partly because I forgot our ribbon until after the kids were done.  Thankfully they haven't noticed.)

We didn't get many action shots of the actual decorating because it took all our energy and monitoring to keep them safely on task.  But here's a glimpse of their wonderment...

Also, this is Travis' least favorite ornament.  Some sweet student gave it to me long ago, and apparently the kids sense its sentimental value.  Because no matter how many times Travis moves it to the rear of the tree, they come and rescue it.  Returning it to it's rightful place, prominently displayed front and center.  Yes, this giant yellow blinged-out school bus = toddler love.

The Nativity:  We moved the entry way table, which is really too big for that hall, upstairs outside the kids' room and set up our Willow Tree nativity scene there.  I love the simplicity of it and can't wait to watch it grow over time.  Bonus:  having it located so close to their room has provided us endless smiles.  The kids now talk to Baby Jesus as they pass by...  "Good morning Baby Jesus!"  "Good night Wise Men."  And occasionally they run by shouting, "Good news Baby Jesus, I tinkled in the potty!"

Their Christmas trees:  Moving the entry way table cleared space for us to set up the kids' trees there.  I spent about $15 at Target for simple, shatter-proof-but-sparkly ornaments that we could eventually use on our tree if need be.  They picked their own garland color and I strung that.  Then I let them decorate their own trees, with me hanging the hangers on each ornament as it came out of the box and them hanging it.  Of course, I then had to chase down the ornaments as they bounced off and stick them back on, but that was OK.  Aside from that rehanging, the tree design is all theirs.

In between the trees:  I wrapped old empty boxes to look like presents and stacked them for effect.  Which seems like wasted effort, but the space just looked crazy-weird without it.  And it was free.  Two-fer!  I also stashed our Christmas book bin next to the trees.  It contains 24 books, each wrapped like a gift.  We will open one each day, starting Dec. 1st.  And they'll be added to our library after Christmas!  The kids have really enjoyed their new books and I'm hoping the daily present opening practice will help us get to the goods quickly on Christmas morning.  (Note:  This could have been an expensive proposition, but I saved $$ big time by using gifts from last year that I had packed away, books from my old classroom stash, paperback book orders, and consignment finds.)  

The stairway:  We used to hang garland with big red bows.  But the garland was prickly and the wires were pokey.  Not exactly the best combo for toddler stair climbing safety.  So I spent $20 on three lengths of simple garland and two packs of two-tone ornaments from Target.  Then I used twist ties and simple knots to secure the garland (no strings or hangers) and the teeny lengths of string provided in the ornament package to hang them on the garland.  It took some time to do, but I thought it was worth it to avoid MIA hangers, wires and such.  Plus, it weirdly kind of goes with the wallpaper.  Also, Addison was feeling the garland one day and said, "Ooooh - it feels prickly, like a haircut!"

Picture Frame Tree Art:  I removed our old glass bead art with a little soaking and scrubbing.  This is at least the fifth time we've reused these frames!  Then I painted a quick tree and let dry.  The kids used clear glue to add their "decorations".  And now they're in our windows again!  Addison was right, "Santa will love it!"

Christmas Countdown Chain:  These came home from preschool.  After some quick cutting and assembling we had two identical paper chains.  I hung them from our kitchen blinds and clipped them up in the middle to keep the kids from counting down too soon ; )  Every day the kids practice using scissors to cut one link off.  Then they do that activity (simple stuff like sharing a snack or drawing a Christmas picture).  And best of all, we watch the chain get shorter and shorter... until finally...  it will be Jesus' birthday + Christmas + a giant family visit + present opening time...  which = very excited toddlers!!!

Playroom Walls:  The back wall of the playroom has some trim work that frames what used to be shelves and art space.  It's not something we want to take down, but it's not exactly our style either.  So it's been sitting there waiting for a burst of creativity.  And today it came.  I realized I had extra scrapbook paper (from the days when I had time), bows, and poster tabs.  Let the present stacking begin!!  I faked some "ribbon" by slicing white scrapbook paper and glue sticking it on.  Not bad, right?

Playroom Tree:  I whipped this baby up with some felt from the local craft store.  I free handed the tree and traced household objects to make the ornaments.  It's secured with 3M tape so I can remove it, or add a snowman in January if the mood strikes.  Note:  Caden is reading one of those recordable story books that Lindy gave the kids last year.  Frosty is currently their fav and they always say, "Lindy will read it" when they open it up.  So stinkin' cute.

Elf on the Shelf:  We got our EotS last year as a Christmas present and boy am I glad.  It was so nice to break him out with all the other Christmas decorations.  The accompanying book was our first book bin present... and the kids seem to be into the whole thing.  With some prompting of course.  I think their favorite thing is to see where Elf has moved to each morning.  This is where he started...

Since then he has scaled the kitchen blind cords, climbed atop a bookshelf and emptied out a Kleenex box to make a bed.  This may turn into a competition between Travis and I, to see who can come up with the most creative Elf sightings!

There are still a few last things to do to get fully decorated, but we're almost there.  And this post has been burning a hold in my blogging pocket.  So here you go!  Christmasification, toddler style!