OT - 3 yr old DS doesn't want the tree down

[mom2aredhead]

I know the obvious answer is that he's only 3, he'll get over it, blah blah blah

If you think about it, we made a big deal about going to the farm to cut down the Christmas tree, decorate the tree, there are songs about the tree, the presents were under the tree, the Mickey Train that Santa brought was around the tree, and now the tree is going on the curb for the garbage men.

Needless to say, he's having a hard time with that. I have now resorted to telling him the tree has to back to the tree farm to grow bigger for next year so that the tears aren't rolling down his cheeks.

Our sanitation department will not start picking them up until Sat 1/6, so I have a few more days to either talk him into parting with the tree, or figure out a stealth way to un-decorate, drag the thing outside while he's sleeping, and convince him that the tree on the curb is someone elses.

Ugh - the things we do...

 

[ilovejack02]

I totally understand, my 4 yr old tried to guard the tree with his body while I was taking it down on Sat. While I did feel bad about it, DH whipped out a toy that wasnt given to him yet and he got distracted he still was upset when he noticed me still removing the tree but he got over it. Dont lie, just let him know that Christmas doesnt last forever, just like we cant trick or treat everynight and the Easter Bunny doesnt come every Sunday morning. If we sugar coat everything and baby our little ones for every situation then how do they ever learn to deal. It did help to tell mine that Mardi Gras was coming so we would be decortaing for that ( which prob doesnt help you dont know where you are from ) but you could use Valentines day is coming and that will be a fun time to look foward too.

Oh if you truely dont want to see any tears how about just taking out side in the tree stand undecorated and string up some popcorn and let the birds eat. Maybe hang some peanut butter birdseed pinecones on it.

 

[MSSANDRA]

That was exactly what I was going to say, Decorate it for the birds. Put it by a window and enjoy watching them eat.

 

[bartleby1]

LOL! I love the line about taking it back to the tree farm to let it grow more for next year, lol!

Yes, taking down the tree can upset the little ones. I never realized that my littlest one was affected by it last year (she had turned one last November), but when I said to her the other day that it was almost time to take the tree down, she looked up with her sad, puppy dog, 2 year old eyes and said, "Daddy gonna take me tree AGAIN"! I was SHOCKED that she even remembered last Christmas so I questioned her further. She told me Daddy took our tree out the back door last time (he did, and we very rarely use that door so it would be odd for her to make that up). Apparently, she considers her Daddy to be the Grinch Who Steals Our Christmas Trees, lol!

 

[PollyannaMom]

It's definitely normal. Even my 6yo admits to a being a little sad when we take the Christmas stuff down. But for next year, I have a plan...

I was reading this book about Christmas traditions - in the past and in different countries, and the auther was lamenting the fact that kids don't look forward to taking the tree down anymore. Yes, I did a double take - look FORWARD to taking it down? But he went on to explain that trees used to be (and still are in some places) decorated with edible ornaments - cookies, candied fruits, etc. The children used to look forward to dismantling it because they could finally eat the goodies! He suggested wrapping a few candy bars in special shiny paper and hanging them on the tree, so the kids get a treat when it comes down.

I plan to do it next year - maybe hanging them kind of deeply, so a few other ornaments have to come off to get to them. Or maybe hiding a special ornament that represents some sort of prize. It might make the whole process at least a little more cheerful.

Oh, one other thing we do is always save a slice (about an inch) of the trunk of our tree. I Mod Podge a photo onto it and DH attaches one of those little looped screws, then we hang it with the other ornaments on next year's tree. It's kind of a way to hold onto it a little, plus it's fun to have the pictures on the tree.

Good luck!

 

[mom2aredhead]

I especially love the idea of decorating the slice to use as an ornament for next year. Every year our christmas card is a picture of him in front of the tree, so I could use that one (especially since I accidently ordered twice as many cards as I needed - I forgot what was in the Shutterfly "cart" and ordered 2 sets)
Now I wish I had slices from the previous trees...
Oh well. I guess it's never too late to start a tradition.

 

[mimif1]

My 2 year old is also sad about taking down the tree. She helped with the ornaments and as we put each one away we would say, "Bye-bye Mickey. See you next year!" She repeated this for every ornament (and I mean every ornament! ). Somehow, it helped her not be so sad. I think it helped her realize that it's not gone forever, just for now.

 

[bookgirl]

It's definitely normal. Even my 6yo admits to a being a little sad when we take the Christmas stuff down. But for next year, I have a plan...

I was reading this book about Christmas traditions - in the past and in different countries, and the auther was lamenting the fact that kids don't look forward to taking the tree down anymore. Yes, I did a double take - look FORWARD to taking it down? But he went on to explain that trees used to be (and still are in some places) decorated with edible ornaments - cookies, candied fruits, etc. The children used to look forward to dismantling it because they could finally eat the goodies! He suggested wrapping a few candy bars in special shiny paper and hanging them on the tree, so the kids get a treat when it comes down.

I plan to do it next year - maybe hanging them kind of deeply, so a few other ornaments have to come off to get to them. Or maybe hiding a special ornament that represents some sort of prize. It might make the whole process at least a little more cheerful.

Oh, one other thing we do is always save a slice (about an inch) of the trunk of our tree. I Mod Podge a photo onto it and DH attaches one of those little looped screws, then we hang it with the other ornaments on next year's tree. It's kind of a way to hold onto it a little, plus it's fun to have the pictures on the tree.

Good luck!

We do the candy canes on the tree decorating, so when the tree comes down the boys get to eat the candy canes. So they are so ready for the after christmas sugar rush.

 

[las3888]

I was really hesitant about taking some Christmas items down today...I did it while DS was napping (22 mos). He didn't seem to notice at least yet. The tree is still there though. I have been bummed about taking it down (probably this weekend). It is bittersweet. He is just at an age of learning about Christmas...the tree, angels, Santa, Christmas songs and lights, etc. and then I feel so bad taking it all away! I have told him that Christmas is over and tree has to go bye bye this weekend. Not sure if he gets that yet though. I keep re-enforcing that the next major holiday is his bday which is about 6 weeks away...hopefully he will focus on that!!!

 

[3princesses+aprince]

OH I know what you mean too, all of my kids feel so bad when we take the tree down. I just say it's for christmas and it will be back next year. I feel so bad that they are sad though.

 

[Fabooliss]

Do you have an evergreen in your garden? I took my DD out and showed it to her when we went through this... I told her it was a special Christmas tree that we got to keep all year.
She also liked the idea that it was going to a place that would make new Christmas trees (we didn't go into details though!)