First - the evidence of the problem:
Christmas 2003 - tree is moving....

yup...it's a kitty...Eliot to be exact

Emily tried it a few days later...


What we do to keep the whole tree from toppling over is to secure it to the wall. The tree is artificial and we put it up in a corner of the room. We have a cup hook in the two walls adjacent to the tree and attach fishing line around the base of the tree - near the top and about half way up, and secure it to the cuphooks. This way, the tree can fall in towards the wall, but then no harm is done. The tree cannot fall outwards into the room. All the ornaments are unbreakable and homemade - things the kids have made over the years. I also tie pieces of plaid ribbon on lots of places - this makes a pretty decoration and could actually safely decorate the whole tree!! Maybe use ribbon and lace?? We put the most special ornaments near the top. The ones at the bottom always get knocked off and played with but no big deal. We do use strings of lights, but have never noticed the kitties chewing - at least not *yet* but this will be our first year with such young kittens No tinsel of course and no garland - though I like Kelly's idea about the pretty wired ribbon.