EXPERT PERSPECTIVE · EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

A Preschool Teacher Shares the Best Christmas Toy She Found in Her 20+ Years as a Teacher

Friday, 11 September 2026

Claire Humes – Early Childhood Educator

20+ years in preschool education

Verified educator review

After more than 20 years of teaching preschool, I’ve learned to watch what children return to once the excitement wears off. I bought this Christmas tree for my classroom, and they spent so much time decorating it together that I soon ordered five more.

25

Ornaments to arrange again and again

12m

Recommended starting age

10s

Setup time

1+

Great for sibling or friends co-play

WHY I RECOMMEND THIS

What 20 Years in the Classroom Taught Me About Choosing (Christmas) Toys

Every December, I see how much children want to help decorate. They reach for the ornaments and have very strong opinions about where everything belongs. Once the tree is finished, they usually have a few more ideas.

That’s why I bought the Montessori Christmas Tree. I wanted the children to have one they could reach and decorate themselves, as often as they liked.

They spent ages moving the ornaments around.

Later, they would come back to change a few things, often bringing another child into the activity. It became a familiar part of our winter days.

“What convinced me to order more was seeing the children choose it again, then make room for someone else to join them.”

CHILD DEVELOPMENT

There’s a Lot Happening While They Decide Where the Star Goes

As a teacher, I appreciate how much children can do for themselves with this tree.
Choosing an ornament and pressing it into place gives little hands practice with careful movements. Children can see the result of their decisions immediately, and they’re free to change their minds.

The Montessori-inspired approach leaves room for that independence. They get to decide how their tree should look and spend as much time on it as they want.
Playing together adds another dimension. They share the decorations and work out where things should go.

Sometimes they need help taking turns (which is where I come in as a teacher), but the wish to keep decorating gives them a reason to work through it.

FOR GRANDPARENTS

A Little Christmas Tree That Belongs Entirely to Them

For a young child, having their own tree is a wonderful bit of responsibility.

They can put a favorite ornament wherever they choose. When you visit, they can show you what they’ve done, or ask you to sit beside them while they decorate it all over again.

It’s a gift I would give before Christmas so they can enjoy it while the rest of the house is being decorated. In my classroom, the children kept playing with ours throughout the winter.

A word about choosing the right one, not a cheap knock-off.

Felt Christmas trees can look almost identical online. The difference becomes obvious when a child starts playing.

With a cheaply made version, thin felt can fold over in their hands, and weak fastenings can leave ornaments on the floor. Most knock-offs glue the velcro to the ornament, and it simply falls off in a matter of days.
A child who has carefully chosen a spot soon becomes frustrated when the decoration won’t stay there.

The Montessori Generation tree has thick, sturdy felt, and the ornaments stay attached until the children want to move them. Their velcro is sewn to the ornament, and it sticks even with hundreds of hours of rough play at the preschool.

Our tree arrived quickly, was well packed, and looked beautiful once it was up.
That quality is why I felt comfortable ordering five more. There’s also a Tree + Snowman set if you’d like to give the children another winter character to decorate.

WHAT FAMILIES ARE SAYING

Families Whose Christmas Got a Little More Decorated

“My girls are 7 and 2 and they loved this tree!!”

— Amber D.

“I am pleasantly surprised by how often my son plays with this one. You’d think the excitement would wear off, but so far it’s been a house favorite!

— Jennifer S.

“Love the quality of this one. You can just tell they made it with care. Told all my girlfriends to get some for their grandkids too!”

– Mary H.

What Makes This Worth Giving, From A Teacher’s Perspective

Children can decorate it themselves — everything can be placed within reach, with ornaments they can move whenever they choose.

It gives them something to enjoy together — our tree became an activity children regularly joined in with.

The materials matter — thick felt and ornaments that stay attached help the activity remain enjoyable.

There’s room to keep experimenting — children can try a new arrangement every time they return.

The snowman extends the fun — choose the Tree + Snowman set for another decorating activity throughout winter.

A toddler playing with a Montessori Christmas Tree, trying to put on a star ornament.

Infographic showing little girl decorating a felt Montessori Christmas Tree, text blobs showcasing benefits of the toy.

Infographic showcasing the Montessori Christmas Tree and how it's fun and educational for children.

Mother and son sitting next to the Montessori Christmas Tree.

Mother, father, and daughter standing in front of a shop window looking at a Montessori Christmas Tree for children.

A 3-year-old boy dressed as Santa, standing on the stool, hanging an ornament on the top of the Montessori Christmas Tree.

Infographic showcasing how to attach the Montessori Christmas Tree and to flatten it out.

28% OFF

MONTESSORI GENERATION

Give them a little tree that makes every day feel like Christmas.

A preschool teacher’s pick for hands-on holiday play.
For grandchildren to decorate together, all winter long.

Recommended by early childhood educators. Loved by grandchildren. Appreciated by parents.

Shop the Montessori Christmas Tree

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Shop the Montessori Christmas Tree

Free shipping