I inherited delicate glass decorations dating back to the late 1800s, and have even managed to stabilise them so that they're reasonably safe to hang. To these were added my grandmothers, again delicate glass silvered "fruits" and bead garlands, my parents' decorations, a very few from my OH's parents, and the ones we have built up together. It really has built up into a "family tree" We tend to buy one or two new ones each year, many coming on annual visits to Venice, but sadly this year we'll not be buying a tree, as I'm currently far from well, and last year our very elderly tree lights (I know what you mean, IgorStrav) gave up the ghost, and I simply couldn't find any that didn't flash, twinkle, burp etc, but just plugged in and shone ( I was told they need transformers etc nowadays, as well).
I usually wired the tow of the tree, below the fragile, 60 year old glass star, to a beam in the conservatory, to avoid any chance of the cats ever bringing it down, and I've always put a few larger cheap but shiny plastic baubles on the lowest branches, the cats seem to bash and tap at them, before losing interest - so far.
I'm afraid that all I'm likely to manage this year is my old candle bridge over the fireplace. A pity, but it's just not practical at present.
TY