TIS THE SEASON TO BE NAUGHTY

If it looks like Christmas, smells like Christmas or tastes like Christmas in our house, then it's fair game and likely to become our dogs new best friend! Last year we learned the expensive lesson of hanging valuable ornaments at tail-wagging level, this year we discovered it's best to keep vintage decorations well out of paw-reach. While Santa makes his list and checks it twice, our puppies don't care if they've been naught or nice, they just want to play! If you have kids or animals (or kids that act like animals) you know in order to be jolly, tis the season to be prepared!

TREE HUGGERS:

Two of the most common follies that make your holiday less jolly: breaking ornaments and falling trees. To keep our balls in place I wrap a twisty tie around them (purchased green twisties at the local grocery store, hung the ornaments on the tree and wrapped the twisty around the ornament hanger and tree limb). One of the most frustrating tasks in the tree trimming process is actually getting the tree to stand! Thanks to the swivel tree stand by Emerald Innovations, our tree is standing tall!

TIME TO COMPLETE TASK: Two minutes

COST: $49.99 at www.doitbest.com or Ace hardware (search: swivel tree stand)

STRESS LEVEL: Standing Tall and Straight: LOW