Keeping Toddlers out/off the Christmas tree?

[iHEAVENn]

My son is very active.. and very accident prone.. Last year he was only 1 so it wasn't too hard to keep him away from the Christmas tree.. However this year... He's into EVERYTHING. And I know as soon as we get the tree he'll be all over it.

So ladies, what do you do to keep your little ones away from the tree?

We're thinking of gettin one of those 'Superyards' gates but those are pretty pricey.. ($59-$79)

[lilblufrog]

We got a used play yard for $25. Keep your eyes open for sales or used ones locally;)

[sophiesmom07]

A gate would be your best bet unless you have some piece of furniture that you can use to block the tree. Last Christmas my my dd was 1  1/2 and I just didn't put up the tree.  This year,  the threat of "time out" does the trick.

[newmommyas1107]

last year my daughter was 1 so it was easy. this year if you tell her hot she wont touch it. so i guess i will use the "hot" trick and also i give her the "dont touch it" look and she backs away 

[iHEAVENn]

Man I wish those would work.. My son's pretty good at not touching things if I say "hot"... however a tree with pretty lights.. I'm pretty sure he'd go ape over it lol.

Thanks ladies, I'll keep looking on craigslist :)

[nicci260]

I use the fencing you can get from places like toys r us.

[cutebaby06]

I just put mine up about 4 hours ago & my 3 y/o hasn't been too bad,she's mainly been trying to put her Barbie in there.

 

[MixedCooke]

we havent decorated yet, but my 2 year old hasnt gotten ito it beyond trying to help me feed it.  We are just going to put non-breakable stuff on the bottom and make sure it is tied up, so it won't fall on top of her (we have a 12 foot tree).

[heidi_val]

The first few days, my son would go near it and knock the ornaments off, but now he doesn't bother it. 

[auroragold]

When I had a toddler here's what I did:

I got a fake tabletop sized tree.

Got cheap "safe" ornaments and decorated it. Can't find any? Then make them out of foam. Just cut pieces, punch holes, add ribbon and hang.

That became HER SPECIAL TREE and she could take off any/all the ornaments whenever she wanted. 

Worked like a charm....

[retsillacam]

LOL, wish I knew. I can't even keep my school age children away from it. They sit under it, lay under it and keep rearranging the ornaments.