I have a gate around my tree. When a part time parent was signing on he was like, "Is that for your dog?" And I answered, "No my German Shepherd is well behaved. That is for the daycare kids!"
Seriously ... How else can I expect kids all 2 and under not to touch? I tried it for a week without it, but they tag teamed me. A few would distract while one would go sneak an ornament off the tree. Or a candy cane.