"DECK THE HALLS WITH BOWS OF HOLLY..."OR DON'T BECAUSE YOU HAVE TODDLERS!

By Boom Buddy Kim The Shawver Family

Christmas is a magical time of year, but can also be very chaotic. Decorations can add more stress, because how do you decorate with tiny hand that have no concept of "breakable "?! Here are my top tips!

1. Keep those special, delicate, sentimental ornaments away for a few years! No matter how hard you try, something can happen. If you do decide you want some special decorations up, place them higher on the tree, securing them by bending the branch end over or securing with a clip.

2. Minimise household decorations at hand height or below! Cushions, throws and soft toys are child friendly and still add holiday spirit.

3. When it comes to the tree, I find it easier to set it up and put lights on without them around if possible. Make sure light cables can 't be easily grabbed as well as any other tinsel, ribbons or beads. Set out some ornaments that are easily replaced and get them involved with the decorating! (I tend to let them do the bottom of the tree while I do the top and rearrange if needed that evening).

4. If they ' re a bit older you can invest in their own tree that they can play with an decorate over and over. We got a felt one which hangs up and comes with velcro decorations they can place wherever they like! It' s great to give them something they can do themselves. 5. Don 't try to do it all at once. I tend to split the decorating up so its less overwhelming for us all. I try to surprise the boys after nursery with some house decorations and then we do the tree together later as a family.

6. Make sure you have a good sturdy tree base. If needed, secure the tree to prevent it falling.

7. Make decorations! Get crafting and make some simple decorations that they can use to decorate the house, they 'll love seeing them and showing them to people.

8. Get creative with ceiling decorations! It may bring back 90' s flashbacks of trailing foil decorations, but using the ceiling for lights and hanging decorations can be really magical for children. I used command hooks to hang lights and its always a simple winner!

Finally, don 't get caught up in fulfilling every tradition you thought you wanted to make happen or expect the house to look how it did in Christmases past. Focus on the present and your toddler friendly festive season, and in the future things will look different again. And of course, enjoy the festivities!

Follow more of Kim’s family adventures over on Instagram! @theshawveradventures