To Tree or Not To Tree--that is the question!

Go for the big tree, hang nonbreakable ornaments from the bottom and keep the tinsel higher up. The cats love to play with these things. We have always had a tree and cats. They usually undecorate the bottom of the tree! They love to bat the balls around the house! You can try to put something around the tree to stop them from getting to it, we have rabbits and last year they "opened" the presents we had under the tree! I will say cats (or rabbits) and trees are very entertaining. I also don't think you will have the problems with a big tree that you have expereinced with the small one. This year we are not doing a tree. It is only my husband and I and we will be at our daughters house for Christmas, so I don't think a tree is going to be on our list of things to do. Especially since we won't be having anything here.

I have done the fishing line trick as someone else has suggested. I also have put up a playpen and put the tree inside of it. Since the cat associated the play pen with a baby, he would not get in the play pen. I also put non breakable ornaments on the tree and no tinsle.

When our cats were kittens and our kids younger we had the same concern. What I did is give the tree some extra support to avoid it tipping over. I used fishing line which is mostly not visible and a couple eye hooks to fasten a point about 2/3 of the way up the tree to the wall. Our tree was in a corner, so I was actually able to attach to two walls. It seemed to work. What do you think?

Hi Suzie I have a cat two but he's a full grown tabby named JINX but when we put up our Christmas tree for the first year he was with us he ate the tinsel , nibbled on the pine needles(we have an artificial tree every year) and he likes to sleep on the tree skirt as well as play in it so we had to stop putting the skirt down there and just but a small area rug under the tree instead) He was also eating the tinsel(you know those little shiney strands that we used to call icicles when I was a kid) as I stated earlier but we didn't find that out until it was hanging out of his butt on evening as he walked past us needles to say my we all thought that was hilarious ,it didn't make him sick or anything thank goodness.. But he still does these things which is why we only put very little tinsel and only at the top he doesn't nibble on the tree as much as he used to but he still does it maybe because he only sees it for a few weeks once a year ..anyway put up your tree maybe spray it with cat repellant spray and enjoy your holiday if the boys want a tree ..... give em a tree

I have cats and children as well. I have struggled with the tree issue myself in the past. Putting up a big Christmas tree just seemed like an invitation to the cats, but it was what my children wanted. We have found a happy compromise in a large tabletop tree. Hope this helps you out.

Greetings I think you guys should innovate. You want to satisfy the kids and the kittens so, go get a miniature tree. I think it is more practical nowadays. In fact, my parents and the rest of us, have decided not to have a tree for Christmas anymore. Taking note that my youngest brother is only 9. I hope this helps. Have a nice day :)

Go for the tree. Just don't put any breakable ornaments on the tree. You can get LED Christmas lights that have plastic "crystals". They are shatter resistant, look better (IMO), and they save electricity. Don't use tinsel. Just trust me on this.

OH, I think the boys wishes should come before the worrisome over the kittens. Swat them with a rolled up newspaper, that should learn them real fast to stay away from the tree. If you think they are going to be getting into it while you're away shopping or spending time with friends put them in a room where you can close the door, as in the bathroom or something.