This free Christmas tree hack protects your precious ornaments from unruly children and pets

Let New Year’s Eve be the only ball dropped this holiday season.

Ashleigh Barger, who goes by @ashleighbarger_ on TikTok, discovered a Christmas ornament hack to prevent kids from breaking holiday trinkets.

In a clip with over 2.2 million views, the mother-of-four confessed that she uses clear ribbon to hang the ornaments on her Christmas tree.

“The perfect Christmas ornament hack if you have kids or pets,” Barger wrote in the viral clip. “Use small rubber bands as ‘hooks’ and they won’t fall off!”

Barger shows how she replaced the small S-hooks with clear strips to make sure her spots don’t fall off the tree because of her kids or pets.

She threads the rubber band through the jewelry loop, ties it, and tightens it. Once safe, Barger places the elastic noose on the tree branch.

Parents with young children are excited by the hack, while some wish they had seen it sooner.

“Well damn, I wish I hadn’t put up and decorated the trees,” sighed one parent.

“Ok, now I have to redo my tree to baby proof it,” admitted another.

“I made this last year and loved it, my daughter hated it,” commented one parent.

Over the years, many parents have found themselves cleaning up under the Christmas tree every day because their kids and pets can’t get over the idea of ​​not messing with the shiny decorations.

Enchanting small children with removing ornaments and throwing them on the floor can become a safety hazard due to them breaking, as glass or plastic scattered on the floor can break.

“Thanks, I was starting to worry I wouldn’t be able to get my tree up with my wild 18 month old,” laughed one mother.

“Wow, I’m definitely doing this!! Much safer than hooks!” admitted another.

Barger added, “Much safer. Ours always falls out of the tree with my toddler and I’m afraid my 6 month old will find one now that it’s portable.”

Some TikTokers also recommend using floral wire or zip ties to prevent the ball from falling. Meanwhile, pet owners are worried their cats will turn into a Grinch since their holiday ornaments will no longer cosplay as toys.

“My cats are about to go berserk,” one person confessed. “Perfect for bottom ornaments the cat likes to destroy.”

“As a hairdresser who has 3 cats, I will buy as many elastics as I need. I’m tired of finding light bulbs 6 months later under furniture and appliances!” the hairstylist commented.