How to Decorate for Christmas

First you have to check out the tree skirt. And by that I mean hide under it and have some fun. That's what tree skirts are for!

Then you find all the musical holiday toys we hid away last year. Oh joy! They still work. Is it just me, or are they louder this year? 

All the musical toys can sing at once if you are fast. We have a reindeer, a Santa and an elf that are still working. Why are these cheap stuffed musical toys better quality than more pricey toys? Oh well. Tommy loves them!

This picture also shows a new development - Tom is wearing a Santa hat! Tom has never allowed a hat on his head before. I can get him to wear a hood when it's REALLY cold but that's it. This year Christmas means something to him. Concepts like holidays are a big deal and that fact that he's on board with Christmas this year is huge!  

Now it's time to decorate the tree. Bring out all the ornaments and touch them all. Maybe taste some too before anyone notices? 

We have lots of unbreakable (plastic or fabric) ornaments so Tom can feel free to handle them. We put the breakable ornaments at the top or the back, or we don't put them on at all! Tom likes to dance and sometimes he dances right into the tree. Better safe than sorry with sentimental ornaments.

Tom found one more musical christmas decoration. We have a ceramic bell that plays Joy to the World when opened. Musical items are the best. 

We have had lots of music around the house as Tom practices for his holiday program at school this Friday. His school really knows how to put on a show and they get every child involved. No one is left behind! I am really looking forward to this year's show now that I know what to expect. 

But back to decorating! Scents is almost as good as sound. We have a couple of scented ornaments he made last year in preschool that still smell of cinnamon. Maybe this weekend we will get around to making some at home? Or maybe I could find a peppermint recipe for ornament dough? That would be festive.

This guy is tired from all that holiday decorating. Time for a nap! Enjoy your holiday decorating.