This just so happens to be a topic at the forefront of my mind these days (surprise, surprise!) so you’re in luck!  I have a few ideas for you (and parents with older Littles), and I’ll put them in to two categories: Holiday Decorations With Kids, and Holiday Distractions For Kids.  Here we go:

Holiday Decorations With Kids:  I understand your angst when it comes to this, because glass, wire, and light-oriented decorations can seem like death traps for babies, and a total nonstarter when it comes to kids who are running around all over the house.  That said, I think there are a few things to do that can really brighten up the environment without causing a headache for you. 

• WREATHS:  Wreaths are so cheerful, so Holiday, and up so high away from those kiddos!  You can make your own (like this) or  buy a faux wreath, which I have for Christmas and use year after year.  It’s a good investment.  You could even hang a fresh one on the refrigerator with an adhesive hook for a little yummy-smelling kitchen cheer!
• GARLANDS: I’m a huge fan of decorating with garlands during the holidays.  There are so many faux ones you can buy that look identical to the real thing, but they don’t shed (aka your baby won’t eat pine needles).  I wrap an enormously long faux garland around the banister of my staircase every year and it looks awesome!
• VOTIVES:  Obviously, keep the candles waaaay far away from the children.  What I recommend is placing them up high, on different levels of bookshelves, or along a high windowsill.  There are so many affordable and chic votives and they can really give a house that warm and fuzzy feeling.  Dim the rest of your house lights a little to set the mood.
• THE “BOTTOM 3 FEET” RULE:  Growing up, we always designated the bottom 3 feet of the Christmas tree for unbreakable-ONLY ornaments.  This means anything metal, plastic, or wood, with no small parts or sharp edges.  This is so that any children who are around celebrating the holidays will be safe, and that nobody will be nervous about ornaments shattering all over the place.  The kids can even go over and grab a little wooden ornament off of the tree and play with it for a while– everybody wins!  “Sleigh bells” are especially good for this.
• PAPER DECORATIONS:  I love it when kids (of any age) can get in to the holiday spirit by participating in the decorations! Paper is great for this.  Make snowflakes with your kids by cutting random shapes in to folded pieces of paper, or cut out paper turkeys and let the kids decorate the before putting them up on the bottom portion of the fridge! They will love coming over to examine their handiwork all season long.
• PINE CONES:  Place a bunch of pine cones in a pretty dish or bowl on the coffee table next to a stack of chic magazines and a yummy (unlit) candle.   And just like that, you have a little fall update without anything dangerous!

Holiday Distractions For Kids:  Nothing is worse than when the kids are on a tear while you’re trying to get a holiday dinner together or host a bunch of guests.  To combat this, it’s all about a distraction–and a way to constructively focus them so that you can get something done.  Here are some ideas:

• CHEERIO NECKLACE: This is great for kids aged 10 months to about 18 months.  String a long necklace out of dental floss and cheerios, tie it off, and loop it loosely around the baby’s neck (it should come to at least their belly button)  Sit them in a high chair in the kitchen with you, and let them snack and be completely spellbound by the Cheerio necklace while you work! **Note: a child should never be left unattended while eating this necklace, or anything!
• STICKERS:  Toddler trick. This sounds ridiculous, but it works– get a book of stickers (around 15-20), a piece of paper, and your toddler.  Take off all the stickers quickly and place them all over your child over his or her clothes.  Tell him or her to put all the stickers on that piece of paper.  Enjoy your twenty minutes of freedom while your child is babysat by stickers.  (This is great for Moms putting on makeup or doing their hair btw!)
• GRAB BAGS:  These are GREAT for any age kid– just tailor it to your needs! Buy some holiday-themed bags.  Fill with an age-appropriate assortment of kids paraphernalia from the Dollar store (I’m a fan of crayons, stickers, little coloring books, friendship bracelets, tiny slinky’s, and little cars or balls).  Place them at each setting at your Kids Table, or hand them out to your petite guests when they arrive at your home!
• CLEAR PLASTIC TABLECLOTH:  You will need 1. a handful of leaves from outside (dried off) 2. A clear plastic table cover 3.  Markers.  This is perfect for the kids table, or at a kitchen table during the holiday season.  Scatter the leaves over the bare table, place the clear plastic table cover over the top, and hand out the markers. Tape around the corners of the table so the plastic doesn’t slip. Encourage the kids to see what they can make out of the leaf designs.  Do they look like turkeys? People? Snow men? Crazy animals? Let their imaginations run wild while they get a MAJOR kick out of being able to draw right on the table top! Extra bonus for stickers they can put on their designs!
• A HOLIDAY PLAY:  This is an awesome time killer for a group of kids that is a bit older– about 6 years and up.  (Teenagers will never get down with this though, so don’t even try) Get them all in to the kitchen, and tell them they have been elected to put on a special holiday play. It’s a major honor, and there will be prizes.  They need to make up the characters, decide who plays which part, make costumes, and write up programs for all the grownups.  And then let out an audible sigh of relief as you watch all of the kids in the house disappear for an hour in to a room together.  Winning!

I hope these recommendations help!  And don’t forget to follow me on INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST!

I wish you all the best!

xoxo
EAM