I love Christmas, the cooler weather, lights, decorations, and of course the celebrations. I love watching my kids wake up on Christmas morning and run down the stairs to find their gifts.
The twinkle in their eyes as they decorate the tree.
I was especially excited this year, as we are living in a new house with lots of Christmas decoration potential. Balconies, banisters, and a fireplace that were waiting to be decorated. Things got a little off track when my husband surprised me with a trip to England, but I’ll trade England for Christmas decorations any day. Oh, and as a side note, England does Christmas decorations very well!
When we arrived home from our trip we planned to decorate as soon as possible. We had already picked out the perfect tree, and while my husband was at work we set it up in the stand with anticipation of our evening of decorating. We decorated the tree, played Christmas music and drank eggnog – all our family traditions. When I woke up the next morning I walked out of my room and began to admire our beautiful tree.
Until…
While I was eating my breakfast I heard a loud crash, breaking glass and a baby screaming. I looked over to find our 12 ft Christmas tree laying across the family room floor, and the baby missing.
Needless to say the tree had fallen over (on its own) on the baby. After we rescued the baby it took 3 hours, a new stand and my husband coming home from work, for us to get the tree vertical again.
Can you see the open spot on the mat? That is where the baby was sitting when the tree fell on her.
We had to hold the tree up until dad got home from work with a new stand.
We redecorated our tree, and I kind of gave up with the rest of the house after our entire ordeal. Maybe next year I can capitalize on all my home’s Christmas potential.
We used ribbon (from last year’s clearance racks) to tie our stockings to the railing.
We love our Playmobil Nativity Set
! (Please ignore my crooked pictures, anyone have any tips on how to keep them straight?)
I love having a mantel…
My favorite thing about this house is that you can see the tree from almost every room!
Kitchen
Hallway
Family Room
My biggest deal of the year – 11 1/2 foot tree for 30 bucks!
Merry Christmas!
Stacey says
Poor baby!
That tree is huge, and I love it!
Shannon says
Use sticky tack to keep your pictures straight.
TheHappyHousewife says
what is sticky tack?
Ashley says
It’s sometimes called “teacher’s putty.” It’s that gummy stuff people use to put posters up, etc. You could probably also use a little loop of masking tape in one or two corners.
Sheri says
I think she is referring to the putty-like stuff that sticks to walls and other objects. I just used some to keep my pictures straight! I think one of the brand names is Uhu, but it is commonly called “sticky tack”. It is sold at office supply stores and maybe even Target.
That is one huge tree! I’m glad Cora is okay 🙂
Serenity says
Oh my goodness, you have saved my pictures! They are forever crooked and it makes me nuts! It never ocured to me to use sticky tack 🙂 I used it in college because we couldn’t put holes in the wall. Why did this never occur to me? Thank you!!!!!!!!
MNKristy says
Your new house is gorgeous! I don’t think you’ve shown photos before. I love the open floorplan.
I’m glad your baby wasn’t harmed in the tree incident.
To keep my frames from moving, I love these rubber pads that I put on the bottom corners of frames: http://www.shopping.com/xPO-3M-3M-Self-Stick-Rubber-Pads-751ES-Clear~linkin_id-8057319~oq-70589177~semid1-
Angel says
Poor Cora…the same thing happened when I was a teenager. Only it fell on an adult who was drinking coffee. So heres what my dad did if it helps. He put a screw in the wall next to the tree then used string to secure the tree. It was a real tree too. When we took the tree down my mom just put a picture on the wall & it was there for next year. Hope it helps.
TheHappyHousewife says
yes, I forgot to take a picture of the screws, bungee cord, and duct tape that is now holding our tree in place, lol!
Musings of a Housewife says
Oh my WORD how scary! I’m glad everything turned out alright.
amanda says
Beautiful tree! And, yes, how scary . . . I’m glad baby was ok.
You can also use 3m velcro strips to keep photos straight.
I’ve experienced that the sticky putty will sometimes leave oily residue and stain the walls if left on too long or gets too hot (like a room that doesn’t often use AC).
Stina says
Wow! That tree is incredible. So glad the babe is okay! Scary!
My favorite thing to use is the 3mm velcro strips mentioned above. You put them together and stick it to the frame. Unpeel the other side and then hang the picture on the wall. Once you have it level, press it firmly against the wall. Works beautifully.
Org Junkie says
Oh my goodness, how scary! So glad she is okay.
Southern Gal says
As we Southerners like to say, “Bless your heart.”
We had to learn the hard way (after two trees falling over within days of putting them up) that we always have to have fishing line strung from the tree to the nearest anchored support on the wall!
$30??? Wow.
Jennifer says
Wow, how scary! I am assuming baby is OK, but oh your nerves must be shot!
T.J. says
Wow what a story! One year our dogs knocked down our Christmas tree. Even though there was wreckage, it can’t compete with your story; especially since yours involves A BABY and all! See if Cora mentions it in a few years 😉
Thanks for the gorgeous tour- I was waiting to see pics of the new house!
Sharon @ UnfinishedMom says
Wow! That’s a story your family won’t forget anytime soon. I’m so glad Cora is okay. Very impressed that you got that tree for $30! It’s humongous.
Bree says
That is a huge tree… it looks awesome , glad little Miss Cora is ok ,
on a side note I use the same ” poster putty” in whatever corner of the picture frame is needed to hold them straight, it works well and you don’t need a lot of it..
Serenity says
So glad Miss Cora is OK, how scary!!! We have the Lands End stockings as well but we bought the matching holders. Not smart! My six year old pulled a stocking off the mantle and the heavy pewter holder fell on her head! Ribbon is a MUCH better idea 🙂 Your home and tree are lovely!
thegypsymama says
And I was just wondering today what would be a good nativity set for our kids! Thanks so much for the great idea! Off to look it up on line right now.
Mari says
I hope little Miss Cora was okay. When I was 12 we celebrated Thanksgiving at my grandparents house and I decided to spend the weekend with them. After everyone left Grandpa put up their tree for me to decorate. It looked beautiful and then at about 3am in the moring there was a huge crash. The tree had fallen over because I had hung all the ornaments on the front. I felt so bad some of the ornaments that broke were very old and heirlooms. Grandma and Grandpa just laughed it off.
Stephanie says
So glad Cora is okay!!!!!!!! love the tree…. 🙂
we got our tree on Sat.. and I love it !!! 🙂 iwill take a pic to show ya 🙂
Sarah B. says
For the tree: My dad took a 4×4 square of plywood, rounded the front, and drilled holes for the tree stand. Now every year my parents are confident that their tree will stay upright. We never had it tip, but my dad was sure it would have the year we had a 14′ tree. The tree skirt and gifts easily hide the plywood.
Rach says
I love our Playmobile nativity set too, I got it on sale this year but already it is missing a few little pieces. I love that the kids play with it and act out the scripture. My oldest is starting to memorize Luke 2 and loves to recite it with the people.
Our tree fell over, but it had something to do with a 23 month old grabbing an ornament and then turning and running. The ornament was stuck on pretty good, and I guess she is pretty strong. One good thing, she hasn’t touched the tree since.
Young Wife says
I am so glad the baby is okay. The stockings hung from the railing is a cute idea! Playmobil has the neatest sets.
Lisa@blessedwithgrace says
Enjoyed visiting your house on the tour, today. Glad all is well with the tree ( and baby). It will ALWAYS be a great family Christmas story, for years to come.
Nancy M. says
Wow, that’s scary about the tree falling. Ours did that last year too! I love that big, beautiful tree! Your home looks wonderful!
Melinda says
You have a gorgeous home and a gorgeous tree! I am glad to hear that Cora is doing okay. What a frightening thing that must have been!
I have a great family Christmas photo from when I was five, with my aunt. We’re standing in front of the tree, posing for a picture, when the tree falls down, and we go with it! This Polaroid was taken at the exact moment that we all were falling, so we have this “uh-oh” look on our faces, and we’re all diagonal!
kriswithmany says
If I find the name of the tree stand we used to have, I’ll post it. It’s actually very hard to tip over. My parents used eye screws put into the walls and fishing line for years until they got that stand. The cats knocked over the tree before that.
So glad Cora is ok! how scary!
Joy says
Beautiful home, and how tall is that tree??? Wow, its huge. Great
spaces to decorate. Happy Blue Monday!
Jen says
one other thought on the pictures, tape a penny or two to on the back of the corner that hangs too high and that will balance it out. Merry Christmas! Praising God that Cora survived the tree fall with no residual issues 🙂
Sherry says
Oh, no! Poor Cora! 🙁 Glad she is ok.
That is a HUGE tree!
Katena Dyser says
I was like is the baby ok and glad she is. What a great tree and beautiful house. Love the pictures. The house is beautiful. What a great story to tell her when she gets older. Thanks for keeping me laughing. I love your stories. Glad to hear shes ok and the house cleaning can wait for another day.
Kimberly Crowe says
Good morning! The way to keep pictures straight is to use the little rubber dots you use for kitchen cabinet doors. On cabinet doors they keep us from slamming them but on the bottom corners of the picture frames- they keep them from moving on the wall. Hope this helps and love the tree! Glad baby is ok!
Lindsay @ Not2Us says
If you’re not afraid of holes in the wall, then you can use my straight frame trick:
Instead of using the one dinky little hanger they put on the back of the frame, I nail two small finishing nails (for smaller, lighter frames) or screw two drywall screws (for larger, heavier frames) into the wall using a level to make sure the nails/screws are level. Then, I hang the edge of the actual frame on the nails. I know it won’t slip or slide, and I know it’s perfectly level. 🙂
So glad your baby is okay! 🙂
Monica says
I just use plain old masking tape. One loop on the bottom works great!
goldengirls59 says
How’s the baby?
snafflesmummy says
wow that has to be the biggest tree in someones house that I have ever seen. So pleased your little one is ok.
Sounds like trees there are a bargain. Ours is only 5ft and cost £33 here in England.
Lisa says
Ummm, WOW!!! That is insane! You’re so blessed she is OKAY. That is a big tree to fall. Your home is gorgeous though!
Laryssa @ Heaven In The Home says
Wow! I’m glad your baby is okay!
Try using the sticky putty from the office supply store. It should hold everything straight when you put it under the bottom side of the frames.
http://www.officemax.com/catalog/sku.jsp?skuId=07014884&searchString=poster+putty&displayBreadCrumb&_requestid=6412460
Thanks for showing us around. Come by and visit me anytime. Merry Christmas!
Cherry Blossom says
Now that is my kind of deal! $30! A steal for sure! Our tree fell on our son one year too. It was kind of scary. I am stopping in from Nester’s place. To see my tour click on the ‘Christmas 2009’ tag on the left sidebar of my blog.