Holidash Highlight: Pet-Proof Your Christmas Tree
- by Erin Loechner on Nov 13th 2009 3:00PM
- home decor, seasonal, pets
* That pan of water that is keeping your tree from drying out can be very attractive to thirsty pets. But that sticky water can also make them very sick. Discourage drinking by cutting a piece of screen or other sturdy mesh fabric to fit and duct tape it over the pan. This will keep little tongues out while still allowing you to replenish the water supply.
* Cats love to bat balls around -- especially bright, shiny ones that are attached to a Christmas tree. Prevent breakage and possible injury by decorating your tree with plastic or wooden ornaments.
* That little metal stand that is holding your tree in the vertical position is no match for a rowdy pet with a running start. Get rid of it and invest in a large, sturdy tree stand. For extra protection, attach a string of fishing line from the top of the tree to a small hook in the ceiling.
* Puppies like to chew on things and those lower limbs of your Christmas tree may prove irresistible even to the most well-behaved little dog. Surrounding your tree with a baby pen might not be the most attractive solution, but is surely the safest. Otherwise, don't allow your puppy to be alone in the same room as the Christmas tree.
* Avoid tinsel. Cats find it delicious and fun to chew, but it can cause serious damage to their digestive systems.
* To discourage chewing on your light cords, spray them with bitter apple. Unplug the lights when not in use.
* Clean up fallen needles regularly. Some dogs will eat just about anything and these sharp pine needles can cause internal injuries if ingested.
* Don't decorate with edible ornaments. If it smells like food, a determined pet will find a way to reach it.





The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Michaels Stores, Inc., has issued a voluntary recall of about 310,000 seasonal writing pens. The surface coating on each of the Flower Writers, Christmas Writers, Easter Writers, and Spooky Writers pens, contain high levels of lead which violates the federal lead paint standard.
For (insert event here, such as Christmas), you received 
When the deer Christmas light forms start to rust, and the wires and bulbs wear out, spray paint that thing brown and prop it into the garden. Add a bush or vine (plus several months) and you have affordable 
I am a big fan of recycled decorations. Re-using household things will save the item from the recycle or trash bin. It also lets you make something for cheap without all the materials and energy that go into new products. This pop bottle snow man is a great recycled Christmas decoration.
If your computer recently puked on you, I sure hope you didn't throw it away. There are so many things to do with 
Playing Santa is a huge privilege and a huge responsibility. Done well, you could make a child believe in magic and become part of their fondest memories. Done poorly, you could shatter a childhood, and scare them for life.
I loved 





