“There are moms out there who film their kids setting up the Christmas tree, and I admire that. Because there’s no wrong way for my kid to touch my Christmas tree.”
It’s an age-old question that has divided celebratory parents for decades.
Do you let your kids decorate? Christmas tree? Or are you the only prominent person to own the jewellery?
Two types of Christmas mothers
In the small, but profound corner of the internet that deals with Christmas moms, there are two kinds of moms.
The ones that film their kids from daycare decorating the tree with paper and clay creations, and hanging baubles on the lower branches where they hang on for dear life.
There are twinkling, tangled lights and a crooked star in the clumps. It’s a mess, but… memories.
Then there are the Pinterest moms. With magazine-shoot-worthy trees: no gaps and impeccably styled bows and bells.
Those who are in the dark for decorations and prefer to set up a playpen around the tree rather than let gingerbread-covered fingers touch fully inflated artificial leaves.
And kid’s crafts? He is hiding on the other tree in the game room.
Because Instagram photos are more important than magic to kids. Am I right?
“I set it up exactly how I wanted it”
Former reality TV star and presenter, Tayla Broad falls into the latter camp.
This Christmas-loving woman is one year into parenthood, but she knows where her daughter stands in the decorating department – and it goes way beyond that.
one in tiktok videoIn which moms across the country are nodding their heads in agreement, she makes her stance clear: “There is no wrong way for my child to be touching my Christmas tree.”
While the Melbourne mom “admires” families who decorate together, there was only one option for her – decorating the tree while the kids were sleeping.
“There are moms out there (who) film their kids putting up Christmas tree decorations and I really admire that,” she says.
“Because there’s no way my kid can touch my Christmas tree. She’s sleeping and I’ve arranged it exactly how I want it.
“She won’t help until she gets to the age where she knows the placement… not until then, no. Don’t touch my Christmas tree.”
She said in the caption that she was considering getting her own tree for her daughter.
“Everyone has other trees, guys.”
You might consider this a minority view, but a look at the comments and social media shows that it is a movement.
While the magic of Christmas is for the kids, the styling and decorating is for the moms.
TikTok videos show moms ‘toddler-proofing’ their Christmas trees by adding giant fake presents and tying clear elastic to every single hanging decoration. While others plant small trees just for the children.
In 24 hours, Tayla’s video received 390,000 views and nearly 800 comments.
One mother admitted that her daughter only gave her decorations, and never touched any branches.
Most mothers act as if their children have creative control, but they “fix” the style of the tree as soon as their eyes are closed.
One mom wrote, “I let my kids do this, film it, and then change everything exactly how I want while they’re sleeping.”
Other moms are fans of letting kids decorate the back of the tree. A savvy mom suggests, “I’m not moving the tree so that their decorations don’t face anything other than the wall.”
Some users accuse our festival heroes of having a strict ‘no touching rule’.
A clever mother said, “Our elf stands on our tree for the same reason.” While other parents tell their children that Santa doesn’t want the tree to be touched.
Another serious stylist wouldn’t even let her partner near the jolly centerpiece, “My 30-year-old fiancée isn’t old enough to plant a tree yet,” and Tayla responded, “I think so.”
Many people wrote about getting extra trees for the children. “I gave my boys a $5 tree from Kmart, they were so happy to decorate it exactly how they wanted…and I got the bonus of decorating our big tree alone.”
However, some mothers thought this behavior was not in keeping with the Christmas spirit.
One mom shared, “Imagine caring more about what the Christmas tree looks like instead of creating magic and memories with your young daughter.”
Another said, “My mother is also like you, she is a stealer of happiness. Now my kids put up the tree they want because Christmas is all about making memories.”
Although I like enthusiasm on both sides (I wouldn’t go so far as to stop the kids from touching the tree) I lean more toward giving mom, the undisputed hero of Christmas, something that’s hers.
Blame Santa or the elf, take away those second and third trees, but let Mom stare at her shiny tree while she quietly loses her mind making everyone else’s Christmas perfect.
