Yep, we used the "rope method" too.

Luckily, the cats I have now, don't jump up on the tree....knock on wood. They do hang around it underneath and bat the ornaments around though.

I remember before the "rope method" having the tree fall on a few relatives (this was when I was a little girl). It was funny but I got in trouble for laughing...and the cats didn't get in trouble!