My Funny Family Dog Story about How NOT to Decorate a Christmas Tree!
79This true story will give you an idea of how NOT to ever consider decorating your Christmas tree.
This has been related to me by my mother when remembering her childhood and we have laughed about it many times.
Back when she was growing up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Christmas tree was always placed in the living room. It was a room in the house that had three doors which could be closed.
Since the three children in the family (my mother and her older sister and brother) were not allowed to see the Christmas Tree and presents until Christmas Eve each year, these doors were kept closed for a week or more...however long it took for my grandparents to put up the tree...get it decorated and put the array of Christmas presents around it.
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Decorated Christmas Tree, my mother & family dog, Jiggs
Feliz Navidad
This shutting of the doors to the living room worked well for my grandparents as they could assemble and wrap the presents without having curious little eyes seeing what was transpiring.
Once the doors would be opened on Christmas Eve, the excitement and anticipation would have been building for some time.
Appreciation of the entire scene taken in at first glance would have been met with such pleasure that I can almost imagine the oohs and aahs and running of little feet towards the focus of attention...the Christmas tree and everything under the tree.
There was one additional family member that would have been waiting and sniffing with anticipation...the family dog, Jiggs.
When I say sniffing, I literally mean it. There was always a present for him as well under the Christmas tree.
The pine scent of the real Christmas tree permeated beyond the living room.
My mother has told me that even though the doors were shut (and probably locked to keep mischievous children from sneaking a peek) it did not prevent the three of them, plus Jiggs, to lay on the floor trying to see (and smell in the case of Jiggs) anything they could from the crack under the door into the room.
Imaginations would run wild and speculations as to what was being wrapped when the crinkling of paper was heard in addition to other noises just added to the excitement of the final anticipated day.
Christmas Eve would finally arrive!
Relatives were always invited to join in the festivities.
Christmas cookies would have been baked and set out for everyone to enjoy.
The long anticipated exchanging of gifts would finally take place...most of the gifts were for my mother and her siblings and Jiggs always got his gift as well.
Visiting and general good will was exchanged between the adults present and to cap off the day Midnight Mass was attended.
My mother has told me that they walked to and from church and she can still remember the crunching of snow under her boots. Although it may have been cold outside, she never remembers feeling the cold.
Church was very important and the birth of the Christ child was also integral to Christmas.
Once back home, they would have a light meal and go to bed.
That in a nutshell is how my mother and her family celebrated Christmas each year.
City where my mother grew up - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - These decorating tips do not include a hot dog! :-)
Christmas Trees
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Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
By now you are probably asking yourself the question "What does this have to do with how NOT to decorate a Christmas tree?"
Fair question.....
One year my grandfather had the bright idea to hang a hot-dog on the tree for Jiggs.
He thought that it would be fun to see him discover it, and of course, it would have provided an edible treat for him that year in addition to whatever might have been placed under the tree.
Since Jiggs always got a present, he would run into the room just like the children and start nosing around under the tree trying to sniff his present out from the others.
Just before the company arrived, the doors were opened.
It took Jiggs a few seconds to discover that tasty treat and in grabbing for it, the ENTIRE CHRISTMAS TREE FELL TO THE GROUND with ornaments shattering and skidding all across the room.
It was a mad scramble to get the tree back up and somewhat re-arranged before all the relatives had arrived that year.
Needless-to-say, a hot dog or other edible never again graced one of their Christmas trees! Lesson learned!
Hopefully you now all know the story of how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree!
Christmas Trees Decorating Ideas (No hot dogs on these trees!)
Do you have funny family stories related to a Christmas tree?
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Christmas treats for dogs. / These might have been better than that hot dog!
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Beautiful music, beautiful tree...and once again, no hot dogs!
From hub...Dog - Story of - Jiggs
A sampling of other pet / animal stories by Peggy W...
- Dog - Story of - Jiggs
He certainly loved the hot dogs on the Christmas tree that year! Ha! - Pictures of New Houston Animal Shelter ~ Citizens for Animal Protection
- Two Funny Cute and Short Stories about Squirrels
- Sent Home from School because of a Skunk
- Our Irish Setter Dog Played Basketball...Does Yours?
- Cats - CIA - We do our duty!
CIA...Cats in Action! - Merry Christmas Greeting Card ~Pictures ~ Shih Tzu Dogs Prize Winners ~ Obedience Training
From hub...Gettin' Hitched - Funny Story of a Wedding Journey in 1918
Sampling of other family stories by Peggy W...
From hub...Lapland Holidays in North Pole or Sunny Spain for Santa Claus?
A few Christmas hubs in case this put you in the holiday spirit...
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Oh, Peggy this story is hilarious! The way you described it, I can see the whole scene in front of me. What a mess!
I loved to read about your mother's Christmas tradition as a little girl. Thanks for the great tip how NOT to decorate the Christmas tree.
Voted up and very funny!
Hi Just History,
Hot dogs (at least the vast majority in the U.S.) come already cooked...just heat and serve. Am sure the one on the tree was not heated and probably gulped down in one bite as Jiggs pulled the entire Christmas tree down. It was probably a shock for him as much as it caused dismay and last minute scrambling for my grandparents. Ha! Thanks for your comment and votes.
Lovely hub and such a funny ending- all I could think of was when did they cook the hot dog and how hungry the dog would have been smelling it, perhaps all night long. Voted up and funny
You should do that. I think that everyone likes pet stories. I have written about many but not all of ours yet. Will have to correct that one of these days and do some more dog stories and another cat story. Again...sorry for your loss.
No offense taken, Peggy. I've been thinking about doing a hub about him and the many ways he entertained us while we had him.
Hi JamaGenee,
Oh my gosh...I thought that your words were all in jest as were my responses. So sorry to hear about the loss of your cat.
Thanks for the advice, Peggy, but our beloved cat disappeared one day many years ago. But in case there's some sort of statute that could still apply, it was one of those light strings that another string can plug into. The string was plugged into the wall, but the socket end was lying on the floor when Mr. Inquisitive came into the room and started sniffing around and **totally by accident** stuck two whiskers into the socket.
To my knowledge, there was no way to straighten them out, and since Siameses look pretty much alike, those corkscrewed whiskers worked the same as a birthmark would on a human as a form of ID. ;D
Hi JamaGenee,
Before the Humane Society comes calling you might wish to have those cork-screwed cat whiskers straightened out...destroying the evidence of your madcap Christmas lighting project. You know...they take animal welfare quite seriously! That way it will remain just a secret between you, your cat and me. :))
Oh, please...not the Humane Society! Then we'd have to convince them it was his own fault that two whiskers got cork-screwed because he somehow managed to stick them into the plug at the end of a string of Christmas lights that I was testing. (He jumped several feet into the air, "yeowwwed!" and ran out of the room.) Would never come into the living room after that if the tree lights were "on".
Hi JamaGenee,
How we learn to accommodate our pets! Ha! It is nice that your cat left the packages under the Christmas tree alone. They did not move as the ornaments would have when batted. Ahh...you destroyed the fun he was having! Might just have to report you to the Humane Society for cruel and unusual treatment. Haha!
All that work ruined by one hot dog! Go figure. lol!
Our Siamese never felled a Christmas tree, but we did learn the first year we had him NOT to hang shiny ornaments on the bottom branches! He'd bat at them until they fell to the floor and broke, and every year after that friends never failed to comment on how bare the bottom branches looked. For some reason, though, he was never attracted to the presents under the tree, even ones wrapped in shiny paper. ;D
Hello thelyricwriter,
Yes...the Jiggs story and hot dogs on the Christmas tree is a humorous and lasting memory for sure. Haha! Glad you liked it and thanks for the comment.
What a funny story Peggy. Ole Jiggs, whats not to love. The everlasting memory is well worth it dear friend. Great story.
Hi Charlu,
Haha! We have laughed over this real life story for years. Because of your visit and comment, I get to smile once again in remembrance of this funny dog story about Jiggs and the Christmas tree. Thanks!
This is such a great story and Jiggs sounds like quite the pet to have I always have a gift for all my pets but have never thought about treats on the tree. I guess it's a good thing I hadn't now that I see the results Up awesome beautiful hub.
Hello KoffeeKlatch Gals,
Yes, Jiggs left lasting memories. We still have a photo of him hanging in our home! As to hot dogs hanging on a Christmas Tree...probably not the best idea! Haha! Thanks for your comment.
Great story Peggy. Jigg's was certainly an interesting dog. I love your stories about him. It sounded like a good idea.
Hello AmeliaMercedies,
Just LOOK at the trouble I have saved you! By learning how NOT to decorate your Christmas Tree, you won't have it come crashing down at an inopportune moment. Haha! Glad that you liked this funny dog stories hub.
That is a funny story! I promise I will never ever hang a hot dog from my tree for my dog lol jk I never had anyways lol
Hello imacyray,
I guess when it comes to decorating Christmas trees, it is all up to the individual as to what pleases them most. Just DEFINITELY keep hot dogs off of the list! Haha!
Robbins @ http://www.pre-lit-christmas-trees.blogspot.com/
A lot of folks get it all wrong when it come to decorating a Christmas tree. They throw in all the decorations they have since child birth. You have to keep it simple sticking to one or two themes.
Hi Billy,
Yes, that family story of Jiggs, the hot dog and the Christmas Tree was told many times and we have laughed about it. Interesting story to read in August! Are you wishing for cooler weather? Haha!
Jigs pulling down the whole tree sounds classic I bet that is still remembering fondly each Christmas. Amazing what the smell of a hot dog can bring on.
Greetings krista.zamora1980,
Amazing in that you now know how NOT to decorate your Christmas tree? Ban the hot dogs! Ha!
amazing hub!
Greetings pigfish,
From what you just related, your Gus had his own way of decorating a Christmas Tree. Ha! As you also said..."Ahhh memories." Thanks for the comment.
Oh dear! Wonderful story! And here I am reading it about a month after Christmas! In our early years of marriage, we had a cat, Gus, a big yellow tabby (also called Agustus the Aggressor) who would dive into our Christmas tree and tip the whole thing over. Ahhh memories.
Hello Lea's Life,
Guess one could decorate a Christmas Tree with hot dogs or any other edible if it were nailed to the floor! Hahaha! Your story is a good one. Not good for the hardwood floor...but a good one none-the-less. Thanks for the comment. :)
We had our fair share of falling trees also. One year though my teenage sons handled that problem for us. I didn't ask how but when it was time to take it down I could not budge the stand! Closer inspection revealed the stand was nailed to the floor...Some day when I replace the carpet I will be looking for those telltale holes in the hardwood!
Hi jiberish,
Happy to have made you smile regarding this story of how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree. I'm still smiling also.
Thanks!
Greetings Smireles,
What a great name for a chocolate lab...Hagrid. Bet he is a big hunk of love on four feet! So now your son and daughter-in-law have their own Christmas Tree story! :) Thanks for sharing and thanks for the comment.
Greetings tnderhrt23,
Aha! You actually have a "what-not-to-do" notebook! Guess you are ahead of the rest of us then on how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree. Haha! Thanks for the comment.
Very funny, thank you for sharing!
I love your Christmas story. My son and his wife love their Chocolate Lab puppy. Last year they put up their tree and were so happy because Hagrid had not bothered it. Alas...they spoke too soon. Hagrid had eaten a lizard outside and decided to upchuck in the corner behind the tree! Believe me that was a memorable moment. LOL Great hub!
Great Christmas Tree story! I will surely write that one in my "what-not-to-do" notebook!
Hi Mardi,
Hahaha! I can certainly understand why that particular Christmas and the Christmas tree was etched into your mind. We also no longer put up a large tree. Have no idea what our cats would do...but they can just keep exploring the other decorations and be content with that. :) Thanks for your comment.
Peggy,
Great story as always. With two Lab crosses in the house as well as 2 cats we don't do a tree anymore- way too much potential for disaster! I think Jiggs would have fit right in around here!! Our dogs never ate the tree, but they did use it (how can I put this delicately?) like a tree one year when I was a kid will never forget that Christmas morning!
Hi Truth From Truth,
Glad you liked this story of how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree! But an apology? Unnecessary for sure! There is only so much time in one day to be reading hubs as well as writing them. Right? You are such a faithful reader of mine and leave comments. For that I thank you!
great story peggy. Sorry I took so long to read it.
Hello ripplemaker,
Whew! THAT must have been so scary! Can't think of much worse than a fire in the Christmas tree. They ignite SO FAST and can be the start of a blazing fire in a home. Thank heavens your story ended well. Happy that you enjoyed this funny one regarding Jiggs and the hot dog. Thanks for the comment.
Hahahahahaha Thanks, it makes me fall in love with Christmas all the more...from heartwarming to the funny, I love it all. No funny Christmas tree stories for me except for a scary one. Last year, the christmas lights burnt our tree while we were away from home. Good thing there was someone in the house and caught it on time. Whew...
Hello Authorpamelaspett,
That is quite a Christmas Tree story of your own. Glad that your little poodle, Sugar, did not suffer ill effects from eating part of the tree.
Reminded me our our first dog Kelly, an Irish Setter, who ate cactus out of our cactus garden when we would be gone. Eventually he ate all of them spines and all. We never replaced the cactus. Amazing! He was a character! Wrote a hub about him playing basketball!
Thanks for your comment and Merry Christmas!
Great story Peggy it remindes me of the time when I was in my bedroom wrapping gifts and I noticed that my poddle named Sugar was being really quiet, and that's not like her Peggy she's always jumping on me or tring to trip me. LOL really, she alway's just sticks her little paw foot out there as I pass by.
Anyway she was being too quiet so I stood up and called her,;after a few minutes I searched the house because she always hides from me then later comes out and jumps on me.
Peggy I found her in the living room eating the branches off the tree, she had eating a big whole in the Christmas tree but I couldn't scold her because she was to cute with al those branches sticking out of her fur.
I think pulling the branches off her was punishment enough..later I turned the dammaged tree to the back so vistors wouldn't notice.
I'm glad the was a real tree, hopefully it was healthy for her.
Thanks for listening.
Author Pamela
Hello Zollstock,
Understood. You need say no more! Bet the real candles were beautiful when lit on your Christmas Tree. We have never used anything but electric lights on ours, however. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Precious memories, Peggy. Like other hubbers, I recall my own childhood Christmas Eves in Germany. My parents put the tree up on the 24th, behind closed doors, and only after the sun had set were we wee ones allowed to enter the room. In all my memories, the tree was more magnificent and important than any of the presents waiting for us. We didn't have a dog that could have popped up for a sausage (although that might be a delightful treat for the dog we now own). Our own near-disasters had to do with real, lit candles in real noble firs. Enough said.
Hahaha! Loved your comment, ComputerGuy! Thanks for the laugh.
Great story. Note to self, no meat on the tree.
Greetings midnightbliss and welcome!
Christmas decorations whether a typical tree or not are generally festive and nice. Glad you enjoyed this story about how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree. I agree, the comments are often just as much fun to read. Thanks for your comment.
its nice, and I had fun reading your story and also from the comments, I remember, I was already in college when we had a typical christmas tree, when I was younger we used to have a DYI christmas decors from anything we can use that can be found at home.
Hi Dolores,
The Christmas Tree falling over twice!! Hope your mother came out unscathed. Certainly made for the laughs and remembered memories of THAT particular Christmas! Thanks for your funny story.
Hi Lisa,
Those clumps of tinsel probably warmed your parents hearts since they were their darling daughter's additions to decorating the Christmas Tree each year. My brothers and I also got to help in the decorating process and am sure that our tinsel decorating was not the greatest when we were young...but we had fun. We are both fortunate to have those memories and to be able to laugh about them years later. Thanks for sharing yours!
Somehow, as horrible as it seems, a Christmas tree falling over is always good for laughs. One Christmas Eve, the tree fell over on top of my mother. Twice!
Funny story.
My "how-not-to-decorate.." story is one my sister and I laugh about now. We were kids, and my parents let us decorate, after my father strung the lights. My older sister instructed me on how to add those silver icycles people used to use: "Take a bunch, like this, and throw them so they land on the branches and look nice." I just thought she knew what she was talking about, so I followed her instructions. Until we got old enough to see how horrible those clumps of tinsel looked, our Christmas tree had that "beautiful" addition each year.
Greetings HarperSmith!
We also used to give our dogs Christmas treats and whether they were squeeky play toys or boxes of meaty bones or other doggie edible...they were placed UNDER the tree...not ON the Christmas tree. Hahaha! The only danger was perhaps an overactive wagging tail knocking an ornament off the Christmas tree...but at least the entire tree would not crash to the ground! :) So you see...where there is a will, there's a way! Thanks for dropping in and leaving a comment.
Hi Tracy711,
I'll just bet that your "crazy hairy babies" look even cuter than the presents that used to be under the Christmas tree! :) Have you thought about putting red bows around their necks and taking some photos? Bet that would be darling! Thanks for listening to our funny story about decorating the Christmas tree years ago. It certainly has legs...! And thanks for the comment.
Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas also.
Very funny story! Ijust have one quesion, where can I put the doggy treats. My puppies, Jack and Gracie, will disappointed. Thanks for the story.
Hi Peggy, I loved your holiday story it's as if I was there..good writing..I have two doggies little ones and they sniff around too looking for their gifts..but their favorite thing to do is lay on the skirt under the tree when all the gifts are gone..crazy hairy babies...have a Happy Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas..hugs and God bless..
Hello carriegoff,
It would be beautiful to see real candles flickering on a Christmas Tree...but as you say, a bit dangerous also. Guess they never had to use that bucket of water, correct? Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Hi GeneralHowitzer,
Very nice of you to compliment me on the arrangement of my hubs. We all keep learning! :) Thanks for reading and commenting on this Christmas Tree story.
Greetings lyla,
So happy you enjoyed this story of how NOT to decorate a Christmas Tree from the past. Yes...I can imagine the building excitement and the kids and Jiggs trying to see what they could from under the doors. :) And then the tree crashing down with the attached hot dog in Jiggs mouth...! Hahaha! Still brings a smile to my face as I am thinking about it. Thanks for the comment and Merry Christmas!
Funny story! My dad said when he was a kid they had candles on the tree. His parents would carefully light the candles and they would stand with a bucket of water ready, admire the tree for five minutes and then quickly blow them all out!
Awesome writing talent and very creative too... I admire how you use the capsules with so much harmony and energy...
What a lovely story!And a great tradition as well. Yes,I can feel the the curiosity of the children and Jiggs.Lol!You can feel the pure joy and merriment!It is all a mad rush now!Simply enjoyed this hub!:)
Hi bingskee,
There was excitement all right...and minutes before the company was due to arrive! Ha! Of course had everything been normal we would not have this funny Christmas Tree story that has been related and enjoyed with laughter now for many years. Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
oh, that was one mess i couldnt imagine happening on a Christmas eve! but it sure didnt stop the excitement.
Greetings nikki1,
Happy to hear that you enjoyed this hub about how to NOT decorate a Christmas tree. :) Thanks for the comment.
Hi Nan,
I also grew up in the Midwest ( Wisconsin ) and enjoyed snow during the Winter and the gorgeous display of Fall colored leaves which people in the South definitely do not enjoy seeing it at it's best.
What type of decorations are you portraying in your writings?
Hi Maggs,
Your story out does the tipped over Christmas tree because of a hot dog being hung on it for Jiggs (the dog) for sure! Hooray for electric lights! Correct? Thanks for your story about your Christmas tree story.
great hub.
Thanks for sharing your Christmas stories. I am writing about decorations. I decorate a lot and enjoy keeping and saving each year! I live in the midwest. When I lived in CA, I missed the snow and trees that represent the midwest.
I remember when I was a young child our Christmas tree was decorated with little candle holders with real candles similar to the ones used to decorate birthday cakes. My mum or dad would light these candles and we would ooh and aarh at how pretty they looked but they were no left burning unattended. Our tree was artificial and stood in the front room window so it could be seen from the street. I thought it would be nice to light the candles on my own one time needless to say when I set the curtains on fire my yells and screams brought my mum and dad running I never did get to light them again for not long after we got our first set of electric Christmas tree lights. Lol
Hi Ethel,
The doors were probably locked to keep prying eyes from taking a peek at the Christmas Tree and presents ahead of time. My mother tells me that she never even tried to sneak a peek. Yes......Jiggs was that and more.......an integral part of their family. Thanks for reading and commenting.
How did those young children manage not to sneak in? Love the story and Jiggs looks a proper rascal.
Hello loveroflife,
Hahaha! We have had pets who have also gotten presents, but they have never helped to un-decorate the Christmas Tree! You must be an animal lover like us. Thanks for chiming in and leaving a comment.
Hi Pete,
The hot dog on the Christmas tree was hardly a tradition. A one and ONLY disaster at the time which has caused much laughter after the fact. :) The tradition of opening the door for the children with everything in place was nice. But also nice are the memories I have of being able to see and participate in the Christmas tree trimming which was also fun. No right or wrong way in this. Each family it seems makes their own traditions.
Glad you like all the old photos. Thanks for commenting.
Hi Hello, hello,
Since my grandparents both came from a German heritage, perhaps that is where they got the idea of keeping the Christmas Tree and presents under wraps until the unveiling (so-to-speak). Interesting! Thanks for your input.
Another great story. Pets can really enjoy the Holiday Season too.
That is such a great Christmas tradition! I think I would skip hanging the hot dog on the tree. You always have such wonderful old photos to share.
This was amazing because in Germany we also had the sittingroom door locked till it was dark and then you would hear a bell ringing and there it was all lit up and the presents under the tree.
Hi agusfanani,
Jiggs definitely DID celebrate Christmas in his own way! Never again was the Christmas tree decorated in similar fashion. :-) Thanks for reading and commenting.
Hi jill of alltrades,
Having heartwarming stories relating to Christmas Trees is nice and probably more normal than this funny story that has been passed on to me from my mother. Glad that you enjoyed this one about how NOT to decorate...especially using a hot dog! LOL Thanks for the comment.
Hi Peggy W, I think Jiggs wanted to celebrate Christmas in his own way. Thank you for this great story Peggy W.
What a funny story! I almost expected the ending when you said hotdog.
Sorry I don't have funny Christmas tree stories to share. All my Christmas tree stories are of the heartwarming kind.
Thanks for sharing this Peggy, I enjoyed it!
Hi dohn121,
That is a funny Christmas tree story of your own. Ha! Bet you were more careful in the years following that episode. Glad you survived! :) Thanks for your additional story in the comment.
Good story, Peggy! Yes, I do have a few stories myself. Once I was grabbed one of my presents to try and figure out what it was when our friendly Christmas Tree turned against me. It fell on top of me and I barely lived to tell about it ;) Turns out the gift that I was trying to figure out was being used as a widget to keep the tree upright, due to its off-kilter stand! "Laughing all the way..."
Hello Enelle,
We have inside cats now and do not put up a big tree. Wonder what they would do if we did? Anchoring the tree like your dad did might be a good idea. :) Thanks for the quick comment.
What a great story Peggy! The closest I can come is my dad used to anchor the tree to the walls so the cats wouldn't knock it over lol...
Peggy W Hub Author 5 months ago
Hi SanneL,
Haha! I feel as though I was there also as I heard this story so many times. Believe me...they never again decorated the Christmas tree in the same way. Thanks for your comment and votes.