Preventing the biggest Christmas misadventure of all…

I have a Christmas tree. It’s all set up and decorated for the holidays.

I also have four kids. FOUR! And an extra one that I watch during the day. And two dogs. And a cat who sometimes comes in the house.

A few years back, our tree was knocked over FOUR times in a matter a matter of hours after it had been put up. And that was back when we had a real Christmas tree.

Which meant not only where their ornaments and lights to pick up, but also a million pine needles. Did I mention we still had carpet then too?

So, I called my Gram and whine. Because no one lets me whine like my Gram.

And she said, “I watch just watching Martha…”

Because my Gram loved Martha in her pre-prison glory and loved to pass on the little tidbits she learned.

She told me to get myself a little hook and some fishing line and anchor the tree to the wall.

I was skeptical.

But I was also desperate.

So, I got some fishing line – which we actually had on hand strangely enough since none of us fish – and a little hook and looped it around the tree and tied it to the hook.

Our tree has not fallen over since. Apparently it must be just being knocked off balance can topple a tree. But with something supporting it enough to let it rock and sway a bit, it hasn’t fallen over since.

The good news is that the tree stands in the same place every year in the dining room windows (two windows next to one another). I just leave the little hook there year round because it hangs behind the curtain that we pull back for the tree. And the best part is that fishing line is STRONG and CLEAR, so no one is even aware it’s there (unless y’all come to my house in which I’m sure y’all will be looking for it now – won’t you?)

What’s your favorite Christmas tip?