I change my decorations seasonally, but I have the most Christmas decorations by far.  It’s also my favorite time of year to decorate.  Coincidentally, it’s my children’s favorite time of year to mess with my stuff.

I learned a long time ago, not long after my oldest child began walking, that if I had something nice, something that was worth keeping nice, it had better be out of reach. This keeps my stuff -and my sanity- intact.

I have a few pieces that are expensive and a couple others that have been passed down and carry a lot of sentimental value.  Those items are visible but only behind locked cabinets.  Maybe one day they’ll make it to a more prominent location, but for now, that’s where they are safest.

My kids love to help me decorate, and especially at Christmas, I let them help as much as they can.  They also love to un-decorate, to move my decor around, oh, and they especially enjoy using my decorations to change up their play time.  Their favorite toys, by far, are the play sets they have, but playing with the same castle/fort/hero’s hub day after day can get old.  When that happens they like to incorporate the decorations into play time.

Here are just a few example of Christmas decorations turned play-things:

A scene  from Toy Story 4?  No one seems to hear me when I say, this is Mommy’s Italian No-Touch Nativity (and by Italian, I mean expensive) Set

Did I mention my kids have their own Nativity that my Aunt bought them from Hallmark? Well, they do, but there’s been some not so normal nativity nonsense afoot at the old stable.  Baby Jesus seems to be in peril, but thank God Joseph is a good Dad and is battling the great white shark trying to eat the poor helpless Christ Child.  Tigress from Kung Fu Panda has also put herself in harm’s way to protect our newborn savior, and someone called the cops.  Not sure who’s side the robot is on, but it’s probably best to stay back and wait until law enforcement works this mess out.

I noticed that there was a huge gap in the front Christmas tree where several branches were pressed down.  As I approached I heard a noise too. Squirrel?? No, someone had just placed a remote controlled tarantula in the middle of the tree.  Given the height of the spider in the tree, I’m guessing this was one of the boys, but I’m not ruling out Cecilia throwing it in there either.

I’ve found things down in my hurricane glasses often enough that I always pick up the candles and look inside before lighting them.  Sometimes it’s an army man or two, maybe a couple of crayons, or a Happy Meal toy, and not as obvious as the deep-sea shit our friend Diver Dan is in at the moment.  A lit candle would be the least of this guy’s problems right now.

Nothing says, ‘Season’s Greetings’ or ‘Welcome’ like a live door wreath infested with Velociraptors.

Really, this year, I’m counting my seasonal blessings.  With a new puppy and a 2, 4, and 6 year old we’ve only lost about four tree ornaments, the train for under the tree was broken, and one piece of a collectable house.  A Christmas Miracle? Maybe…

What items, Holiday or otherwise, do your kids like to mess with constantly?  Have you lost any household items to play?  Leave me a comment!