That is the question that I had been asking myself all month!
I think it is terribly unfair to put up all these sparkly, dangling decorations then not let the cats play with them so I was really stalling when it came to our tree (I had also written about my misgivings on December 1st post "Christmas with Cats"). Well of course we got a tree :-) Last Thursday Robert and I went out an got a beautiful Fraser Fir. As far as I am concerned they are the best trees ever and I've been getting one every year for well over ten years. It is impossible to pick a bad one. Our tree was bound up for transport and covered in snow. It looked about the right height so we took it home, I knew when we cut the twine and let the branches fall it would be fine. They grow in the most perfect Christmas tree shape, as if in a drawing and rarely drop any needles. The needles are short, which I like, and rounded at the ends so they are soft and one never gets an uncomfortable poke while decorating...they are the ideal blank canvas to create your masterpiece.
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| My cat-proof tree |
However, this year my masterpiece is a study in minimal. For a few days now I have been living with just twinkle lights and a star at the top and it isn't as bad as I thought it would be. Also, the boys have been surprisingly well behaved! Casper has not paid any significant attention to the tree and Ben has chewed a few branches but that is it. Archie camps out on the tree skirt and won't move and Jimmer is so overwhelmed by all the newness in the house that this is just one more thing to him and as a result nothing particularly special. Since all my worrying may have been for naught, I might add some unbreakable decorations now and see if my luck holds!
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| Can you see Archie? |
One special addition though is that Ben has placed a little catnip bouquet under the tree for his lovely Clemmie and asks if she would like to come over to play and maybe sing some Christmas carols with him :-)
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| for beautiful Clemmie |
A truly wonderful tree, yes we can see Archie.
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks divine!! It's all about the lights really!! Ours is covered in ornaments and we rarely touch it. The PM puts some soft ones on the bottom so we can bat at them if we feel like it but we just like to lay under it and snoopervise.
ReplyDeletePurrs Goldie
What a pretty tree. NOM IT, NOM IT NOW!
ReplyDeleteThe tree is very purrty. We don't have ours up yet.
ReplyDeleteHappy to know that Jimmy has a diagnosis. We are purring that he will be 100% well soon.
It would look lovely with some bulbs on it!! And if they dont seem that interested now, then maybe they wont even notice the dangling, shiney, pretty, balls.... ok.. they might! :D
ReplyDeleteWe did something similar, once our tree goes up it sits bare for a couple of days. Nice shiney toys get added slowly, so by the time it's done we're used to seeing them. Oh yea, some of the low hanging toys are there just for us and they are the ones we can't break!
ReplyDeleteWe love your minimalist tree! It's perfect just the way it is!
ReplyDeleteThat tree is so pretty!! Our mom loves fraser firs too but we haven't had a real tree for a long time. Mom always leaves the tree undecorated with only lights on it for about a week so we get used to having it around. Then she decorates with mostly non-breakable toys...er, we mean ornaments!! Haha!! We still manage to whap a few though!
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous tree and it looks lovely just as is. You could always add a few non-breakables here and there, see what happens. Surprisingly, my crew has left the tree alone, for the most part. At least up until now! ;-)
ReplyDeleteWe love your lights only tree - it is very pretty and in the dark mum says it would look stunning.
ReplyDeleteyour tree is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the little touch of catnip!
A catnip bouquet, that's so cute! Would love to have a real tree, but that seems way too tempting for the kitties.
ReplyDeleteThat is one gorgeous tree. We are so glad you got one. And what good kitties to leave it alone. Good idea to put the ornaments on slowly. It really looks pretty. Take care and have a fun day.
ReplyDeleteWe think your tree is beautiful....now your mom, Robert and you kitties can enjoy it in purrfect harmony.
ReplyDeletexxxxxxxxxxxxx
Yes, that is a lovely tree indeed! I must say we miss the smell of fresh pine. We gave in and got an artificial tree a couple of years ago because it's easier and we're getting older (aren't we all?).
ReplyDeleteAnyway, you're right the tree is a lovely shape -- in fact at first I thought it was pre-made.
I think you should put some dangly unbreakables near the bottom of the tree -- that way, kitties most likely won't be tempted to climb it.
Yes, I can see Archie. He must be attracted by all the twinkling lights. Dante loves to be right next to the tree, too.
Your tree is very beautiful!!! We see Archie under the tree!! Lots of love, Holly and mom
ReplyDeleteAwwww ... Archie is so sweet under the tree! And we LOVE to hear that little Jimmy is enjoying his exciting noo home.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely nip bouquet! Maybe the tree should be decorated in those! But then, I guess all the kitties would take a lot more interest in it if it had those hanging off it!
ReplyDeleteCertainly less is more! Your tree is gorgeous, and the Ginger package beneath it is adorable.
ReplyDeleteBen is such a sweetie, we bet Clemmie will be there in a twinkling!
Archie that's a great place to hide!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful tree and you know what?
Sometimes simplicity is best.
purrin
xoxox
I am enchanted that he made that sweet bouquet for Clemmie. What a darling boy. Has she replied?
ReplyDeletexox
The tree is beautiful. Mum puts some bells on the bottom of our tree in the hope that we will leave the others alone. Nott Me usually ends up climbing the tree though and pulling it over.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very beautiful tree~!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tree! That looks like it would be fun to climb...woops! forget we said that! :-)
ReplyDeletePip, Smidgen, Minnie, and Hollie
At the end of the Christmas season, we buy the dog and cat stockings full of Christmas-themed small toys on-sale. Then the following year, we use those toys to decorate our Christmas tree. You can either just set the toys into the tree, or you can use a needle and yarn to create loops to hang the "ornaments". This way, if an ornament disappears off the tree, I know it is dog/cat safe!
ReplyDeleteHi Chris, I went to your site but didn't see a place to leave a comment. I think your idea is fantastic and I will check out the sale toys this year. Thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Ben!! Sorry to be so late!! Mom has been so busy she barely has time for us !! And if she hadn't checked the CB today she would have forgot my Birthday & Gotcha Day!! Thanks for the Catnip Bouquet!! You and your Brothers can come to my BD party, too.
ReplyDeleteHugs & Kissses,
Clementine
We think it is great that you put the tree up and even better that the cats aren't bothering it. Unbreakable ornaments are a good way to go though, just to be safe! And oh we bet Clemmie is just super excited about her gift and visit request!
ReplyDeletewe decorate our tree in cat toys, so they can play with it, and we actually enjoy the mayhem. I put it up last night, but won't be posting photos until tomorrow (for reasons posted on the blog)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is beautiful! We have our boring fake tree up with no dangly things yet.
ReplyDeleteMindy, Moe, BonBon, Cookie & Mike
My coworker was talking about Fraser Fir and she also said it is the best tree. I agree, your tree looks lovely! And how cute Archie is, camping under the tree! The bouquet looks lovely, too!
ReplyDeleteMarch,You have a stamp on the blog for you:
ReplyDeletepresentesloga-2 (baby kisses)
Go there to get your birthday gift
Ronrons of
Kika
Pretty tree. My SS has never put up another one since I demolished the one in the first year I came to live here.
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!
Your tree is so beautiful. Does it smell lovely, too?
ReplyDeleteThe tree is a beauty! And even with only the lights and the star on it. Maybe if you add inly one ornament each day your luck will hold? : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment on the poisonousness of Amarylis. Mom should have mentioned that too in her post. We're good with the plant and don't chew it, but others might do so.
Many purrs,
Siena & Chilli
I bet the kitties would like to climb it!
ReplyDeleteNubbin wiggles,
Oskar
It's our brother Figaro's first Christmas. He's been so good, but finally couldn't help himself and he whapped and descroyed an ornament.
ReplyDeleteFigaro 1
Ornament 0
Sigh. Your tree is beautiful!