Longtime readers of The Thrift Shop Romantic know I tend to go all out when Christmas comes around, with decorated theme trees in most of my rooms and no surface left undecked.But this year, with the addition of my kittens Alice and Harry (particularly Harry) I am unsure how delicate decor will fare under the attentions of curious paws. For to them life is bright and new and terribly, terribly battable.
Yes, Harry, I am talking about you...
So I'm planning on doing Christmas Lite this year, with only one main tree in my livingroom and decked in shatterproof Christmas balls-- just to be on the safe side.I'm trying to keep most temptations up off the floor and away from tasting tongues and poking paws.
I'm going with a sort of candy-colored theme this year in my diningroom... layering red, mint-green and pink onto my table and mantle...
My opalescent Moonstone Anchor Hocking china seemed a frosting-like contrast to the sweet colors.And it gave me a chance to display some cardboard houses that look tempting, but likely taste a bit bland...
You can see a close-up of those here...
Shatterproof balls in a bowl feature as the centerpiece...
And three different colored tablecloths get a tiered petticoat look when secured with a vintage pin...
This allows me to have red in the usually pink and mint-green color scheme of the room, without it being too dominant.In the entryway to the room's left, I've swagged some simple garland along with bottlebrush wreaths from an end of last season clearance...
And my usual transferware pieces on this shelf are replaced with more cardboard village pieces...
Ah, but still, even with the best laid plans, you cannot predict what will happen when Godzilla rises from the deep to stomp the Christmas village...
Fortunately, all the villagers seem all right-- just suffering from a little post-traumatic stress.Now I'm wondering what it will be like when I set up the tree...
Wish me luck!
16 comments:
After one of my family's cats almost knocked over the Christmas tree one year while trying to climb up it, my dad screwed a hook into the ceiling above where the Christmas tree stood - and then secured the tree by attaching a wire to the topmost branch and then up to the hook. Voila - the tree was now safe.
Guess I'm lucky - our now seven-year-old calico, Beauty, has been a rather sedate cat from the get-go (we got her when she was only six weeks old) and has been mostly pretty good about my Christmas decorations - except for the one time she got into the sideboard and broke a glass from my Christmas dish set. I hollered at her and she's never tried to go into the sideboard again! And I was able to find a close-enough replacement glass at a thrift store.
Wonderful holiday decorations in your house - love it all, especially those cute cardboard houses! Where did you get them?
Aimee- Usually once they break something in one area, it scares them enough that they decide not to repeat it. I'm glad you were able to get a close-ish replacement glass.
Regarding your question, I got the houses from a number of places-- a place online called "Traditions", but also from TJ Maxx and from Target.
It's fun when the kitties are young and so curious! The world is their playground! I think your lite decorations are so pretty. I think the tree with all plastic ornaments is a great idea. I still find some down and played with my Charlie and he is 11. Still has a bit of the kitten in him at times. Love your little houses.
Good Luck to you! We can't have anything resembling a tree with Tornado Teddy in residence. And anything shaped like a ball is a no-no too!
Your cats need jingle-bells on their collars for sure!!!
Linda- No question-- those kittens can find toys in everything. They never lack for amusement! It keeps me entertained, too.
Alex-- Alice does have a jingle bell on her, but Harry decollared himself and now I find myself stepping on the poor little guy. He's so speedy, I don't realize when he's run underfoot.
My mother in law used to tie her Christmas Tree to the wall because the cats would climb it! Your curious kitties are cuties! Love the cardboard houses. I love anything glittery!
Happy Holidays:)
Oh, everything is so pretty! Your house looks lovely. Those poor villagers, though. Harry looks like trouble.
We don't often have a tree because we have climbers. And now we also have drinkers. Shadow likes water a lot. I tried rigging the tree stand with a secure cover, but that didn't work. She has all day to fool with it. So this year will be treeless again. Good luck with yours!
OMG it's like a miniature version of the North Pole at your house. Unfortunately for me, as I was looking at these pics on my iPhone while snowboarding down a steep run, I ran into a tree. Sadly, I realize now that I wish I had shatterproof balls too. =(
Hi Jenn!
Cat in a Christmas tree.......been there...done that...LOL!
I too have a break resistant tree but not because of my cat. Baby cat Oscar, who is ten, has always ignored the tree as long as we've had him. Our tree is grand baby proof. Our five year old cutie-patootie decorates and redecorates the tree several times during the holidays so it needs to be unbreakable. It is all good though. In another few years the glass bulbs will make a comeback on the tree.
Until then bombs....er cat, er I mean grand babies away!
Have a great week Jenn!
Lois
Lisa- I'm with you about the glitter, it just makes everything better!
Kathy- Oh he is, he might just lick them all and nuzzle them to death. Have you considered a fake tree? That's what I'm going with this year because I can carry it myself, where it's hard for me to put a real tree in the stand solo.
Static- I'm sorry to hear that-- maybe put a snow-pack on that to reduce the bruising. :)
Lois- While I know cats are not kids, some of the things they tend to do DO have some overlap. :)
Fake trees are not allowed in this house, so says the husband. *Sigh*
Kathy- Ah, well-- Dave is such a good guy, I guess we can forgive him his tree prejudice. :)
I'm facing this challenge too; Seamus gleefully bats and bites at everything shiny. I tried to do garland and lights above the windows one year and he scaled the bookcase to gnaw on the wire...so those came down immediately. My green ceramic tree with the lights on has been carefully sequestered for three years.
I guess that's a small price to pay for a critter who will peer into your face and sigh and kiss you on the lips. :)
Shieldmaiden- I hear ya. Alice sits in my lap facing me and staring up with this adoring expression. And Harry is a little Casanova, almost overwhelmed with the need to smother a person in affection. So as you say, it's a small price. PS- having met Seamus, I agree, he is Awesome. :)
Jenn - Funny you mention that. Just moments after I assaulted that tree and the tree assaulted my balls, a 9-ft. tall yeti came to my rescue; packed my jewels in snow and carried me to his lair. So far he hasn't made a pass at me so I think I'm safe...for now. I'll keep you posted.
Gosh you decorate early! Your organisation just astounds me Jenn.
I only start decorating my house for Xmas the weekend before the actual day - so if Xmas was on a Monday the tree and bits would be put up on the Saturday.
As for the felines... stand-alone precious ornaments can be saved by attaching blue-tack underneath them and then securing them onto the surface.
Cat repellent, humans can't smell it, sprayed on your tree should keep the little beasties at bay.
Alternatively, I can ship you over my 2 Jack Russell Terriers..... (evil giggles).. :)
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