Cat-proof Christmas Decorations

I skipped a Christmas tree last year for just the second time in my life.  It was a precautionary measure.  Following the loss of my seventeen year-old cat, I'd adopted a six-month old cat from a local shelter in late August.  Meeko wasn't as well-socialized as Pipig by a long shot and both my husband and I were concerned that she'd wreak havoc with a six-foot pine tree so we took a pass on that.  Meeko is calmer now but we were still concerned so I dressed this year's tree more simply, leaving the most fragile and treasured ornaments in their boxes.

My husband took the precaution of laying plywood under the tree and screwing the tree stand into the wood.  I used mostly unbreakable ornaments and skipped the usual ribbons.

There were only a few glass ornaments, none of which were precious and all of which were placed in the upper levels of the tree 

Meeko hasn't brought the tree down but her initial reaction, even before I'd rigged up the lights and added ornaments, was concerning.  As soon as she saw the tree standing in the living room (or possibly when she smelled it), she growled and her fur and tail fluffed up.  She took refuge in my home office and wouldn't come out, even hours later.  I considered locking her in my office or her catio overnight but I left her on her own and crossed my fingers.  She was still growling at the tree some the next morning but she felt safe enough to walk through the living room, although she did subsequently throw up her breakfast.  However, since I decorated the tree, she's become more comfortable with it.

All is well so far.  I caught her playing with a string of lights at one point but I tucked that string up a little higher and that hasn't been a problem since.  She also tried to get to the water in the tree stand but my husband fitted two pieces of cardboard over the water and clipped them together after she kept working to pull those covers off.  Somewhat to my surprise, I haven't seen her bat at a single ornament, nor try to climb the tree.  Maybe next year I can dress up the tree in my normal fashion.

I've kept the other indoor decorations relatively low-key too.

I had to use a step-ladder to put these wood pieces up above the door on the south end.  Meeko is an adept climber but even she can't reach that narrow ledge.

My Santa on a bike is also safe atop our grandfather clock

I did put up my faux tree in the front entryway again this year, using wood and plastic elements

Led by a Santa-like angel and Ms Ladybug, the ornaments set a garden theme

Even the outdoor decorations presented challenges this year.

My husband inevitably ends up with a crick in his neck when he strings our usual lights along the roof's edge.  To avoid that impact, I purchased a light projector.  It was easy to set up, aiming the lights at the Magnolia tree.  It was hard to capture its effect with my camera but I'm relatively pleased with it.  Blue, green, and red lights rotate both separately and together, admittedly looking a little like light bugs crawling the tree's trunk. 

With the pergola attached to the front entry removed, there's no longer anything to support the wreath (much less the garlands) I usually put there.  I tried setting up 2 poles on either side of the entryway to support smaller 20-inch wreaths but the poles weren't the same height and one was wobbly to start with.  This one ended up to the right of the door, decorated with a single bow and several cuttings of Leucadendron 'Safari Sunset'.

The second wreath ended up mounted over the window in the lath house with just a painted ornament and a small bow.  It could use more red but I no longer have any plants with red berries and I couldn't find my faux red berries.

The truth be told, I haven't thrown myself into the holiday season the way I usually do.  I don't blame that on Meeko or the changes made to the garden, though.  It's been hard to get in the spirit given the political nightmare that's virtually impossible to avoid and the misery spread by the inhabitants of the White House.  I'm hoping to see members of the party in power act rationally in the face of the issues of serious concern to the bulk of US citizens and develop the backbones to take action.  It's hard for me to believe they'll have many supporters if current circumstances continue, much less get worse every day.

I've got plans to attend the "Dino-mite" exhibit at South Coast Botanic Garden with a friend this weekend.  By the sound of it, it's not at all Christmas-y but it may be a good diversion.  I hope you find some fun in the weekend too.

All material © 2012-2025 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party