Q: My 1.5-year-old grandson will be spending the holidays at my home so I'm reconsidering the glass and ceramic holiday decorations I usually put on side tables and the coffee table. I'm looking for ideas of easy holiday decor ideas to replace these that will not only look nice, but perhaps be fun (and safe) for my grandson to play with.
Sent by Barbara
Editor: We're sure there will be lots of grandchildren spending the holidays in un-babyproofed spaces. Leave your ideas for Barbara in the comments.
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Comments (4)
Barbara,
First off, let me say, as a Mom of two small kids - it is SO NICE of you to consider changing your decor for your grandson. Not only will he be safer, but his parents will be able to sit back and relax while they're at your house. We've had to stop going to the grandparents' houses for just this reason - they have tiny breakable objects everywhere!!
Anyway, nonbreakable christmas decor ideas:
1. Large metal jingle bells (these will become toys, which is fine because he can't break or swallow them). Just be sure the jingle bell inside can't come out. You can put a bowl of them on the coffee table and they come in all colors.
2. Pinecones - grab a bag of those craft store pine cones and put them in bowls. Your grandson might break a few pieces off, but it's no big deal. You might not want to do this though if he still puts everything in his mouth.
3. Kids Christmas books. Find a used book store and grab a handful of kid's Christmas books (or books with red/green covers). Set them in a stack on the table and they'll look cute and be something to read.
4. Vintage toys? I haven't tried this - but maybe you could use some cute old toys and make them Christmas-y? Red trucks or cars, old teddy bears with santa hats, red/green duplo blocks, a kids' wooden train going around the tree...
---Have fun!
I don't know that I have any great ideas, but just wanted to say that if I were your grandson's parent, I would be so thankful that you are doing this, as it would allow me to relax and not worry about what my child might break. We have a fabric Advent calendar that our kids (1 and 3) love. All ornaments on the bottom 3 feet of our tree are non-breakable.
Hello Barbara. How considerate of you! Our son is 1.5 as well and here are some things that we have done this Christmas to decorate:
1. Window/Static clings
2. We've placed the Christmas cards down low and he loves to look and point at all our friends and family
3. We bought lots of felt ornaments and garland
4. We also created a barrier to the Christmas tree by placing a low, but deep, table in front of it and putting his play nativity set on it
5. Hang ornaments from the ceiling
Good luck!
Barbara,
One more thing: Consider buying some tension gates to cordon off your stairs. At that age, kids won't listen to NO and won't be able to help the temptation of climbing stairs. It will make life a lot easier for everyone if your grandson doesn't have the chance to fall.