If you have a cat, you already know putting up a Christmas tree with a cat is basically just presenting them with a giant new toy and asking them nicely not to touch it.

Obviously, that goes well.

I love decorating for Christmas and I am not willing to give up having a tree just because there is a tiny animal in my house who sees Christmas ornaments as toys and the branches as a personal climbing challenge. So over the years I have figured out what I can get away with, what absolutely does not work, and which parts of my Christmas décor need to be slightly more cat-proof.

This year, I am keeping the tree pretty simple. I like everything to feel cohesive with the rest of the house instead of suddenly turning every room red and green for a month, so I stick with more neutral Christmas ornaments, Christmas lights, ribbon, and a few Christmas details throughout the house.

The main difference is that the bottom couple feet of my Christmas tree are decorated very strategically. AKA nothing expensive, sentimental, glass, or easily destroyed goes down there.

If there is an ornament I would actually be upset about losing, it’s going toward the top. The bottom branches get the cute ornaments that can survive being smacked across the living room at 3 a.m. I also avoid leaving long pieces of ribbon or anything stringy hanging low enough to become a cat toy. Another tip is to keep your cat’s favorite toys and usual play areas away from the Christmas tree. Keeping those spaces separate can help prevent your cat from associating the tree and its decorations with playtime. The last thing you want is for them to think you just brought home one giant new toy. I have accepted that the bottom of the tree belongs to the cat. We’re just sharing custody.

One thing I’m also using is a Christmas tree protector for cats around the base. They make clear Christmas tree barriers for cats that go around the tree so you can still see everything without giving your cat completely unrestricted access to the branches, ornaments, cords, and tree stand. And if you have a real Christmas tree, keeping your cat away from the base is especially important. Tree water can contain bacteria, and if you add any of those tree-food solutions meant to keep your tree looking fresh longer, the additives could make your cat sick if they drink it. So keeping curious paws and noses out of the tree stand isn’t just about protecting your decorations. It’s about keeping your cat safe too.

Is it the sexiest piece of Christmas décor I’ve ever purchased? No. Does it make significantly more sense than spending December policing a cat around a Christmas tree 24/7? Absolutely.

I actually like the clear ones because they don’t visually take over the entire tree. Once everything is decorated and the presents start going underneath, it blends in much more than I expected. And anything that helps keep cats away from the Christmas tree while still letting me have the Christmas setup I want is a win.

I am also pretty particular about the Christmas tree lights and cords. Everything gets tucked in as much as possible, especially around the bottom. Cats somehow have a sixth sense for finding the ONE cord you thought was hidden, so I do a quick check every once in a while to make sure nothing has been pulled out or chewed.

Same goes for the actual Christmas tree. Make sure the Christmas tree base is sturdy. Even if your cat has shown zero interest in climbing it while you’re standing there, I would not assume that same level of self-control applies at 2 a.m.

The rest of the house is much easier.

I’ll do Christmas garland, stockings, Christmas pillows and blankets, candles, and little holiday décor touches without going crazy. Although any blanket I put out immediately becomes cat property, so technically that part of the decorating is done for them.

Lastly of course, save the empty decoration boxes. You can buy your cat all the Christmas cat toys you want, but the cardboard box your ornaments came out of will still be the highlight of their night. I usually keep a few toys nearby while I am decorating too. It gives them something they’re actually allowed to attack instead of spending the entire time redirecting them away from ornaments.

The biggest thing I’ve learned is that decorating for Christmas with a cat doesn’t mean you cannot have the tree or house you want. You just have to be a little smarter about where everything goes.

My general rules:

• Breakable Christmas ornaments stay up high
• Nothing stringy hangs within easy reach
• Christmas tree lights and cords stay tucked away
• Tree gets a sturdy Christmas tree base
• Cat Christmas tree protector goes around the bottom
• Empty Christmas boxes automatically become cat property
• Anything I would cry over losing does NOT go on a bottom branch

After that? I’m accepting a reasonable amount of Christmas chaos. Realistically, I could put a six-foot protective barrier around the entire tree and my cat would probably look at it as a personal challenge.

At least it’ll be festive.