Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-12-14
How to Trim Christmas Trees.


The popular custom of preparing
Christmas trees for the delight and
amusement of young and old increases
yearly; and the question, "How shall
| trim oneP' is often asked; so l shall
try to answer it. If you can obtain the
tree from some pine woodsnear at hand,
select a finely-shaped fir balsam or
spruce, with firm branches, and about
nine or ten feet in height. Then spread
large sheet over one end of the parlor
carpet, and put good-sized tea chest
in the center of it,
The lower limbs of the tree must be
sawn off so that it can be firmly fixed
into the box; and any small heavy
articles, like weights and fatirons, can
be put in for ballast, to keep the tree
firmly in place. Then fill up the box
with hard coal. The chest must be con-
cealed with some pretty material; old
curtains will answer the purpose, or the
American flag; and white furry robe
is also suitable. Drape these articles
close to the tree, and let them trail a
little on the floor, to make a graceful
sweep.
Now the tree is planted and we must
proceed to decorate it. Make chains of
popped corn, strung together with
needle and thread; at least dozen yards
will be none too much for large-sized
tree, and the pure white festoons en-
twined amid the dark green branches
of the tree produce fine effect
We must also have charms made
either of glazed scarlet, gilt, or silver;
cut the paper into small strips, four
inches long and not half an inch in
width; fasten the two ends of each strip
together with flour paste and make hall
of them in rings; then take the rest and
make into similar rings, but first slip
each strip through two of the dried
rings before joining the ends. In this
manner all the slips of paper are inter.
laced and we have a chain of rings
which will greatly adorn our tree. They
must be festooned in long graceful loops
from limb to limb, and the eflsgt is very
charming.
All this work the children can do, and
it adds greatly to the entertainment oi
the long evenings, at this season. They
can also assist in covering English wal
nuts with tinfoil or gilt paper, and il
filling small apples with cloves, which
will serve to keep moth from the drawers
of our bureaus, and therefore make ac
ceptable presents.
If we possessed a cracked mirror W.
must takeit to the GLACIERS and ask hin
to cut it into two-inch squares. ArounC
the edges and across the backs coloreC
paper must be pasted, and long ribboI
loops attached to the backs by which
to suspend them behind the tiny wal
candles, where they will do duty as re
Electors.
Fancy glass balls of all colors can b.
purchased for few cents each; ant
several dozen of colored wax candles
with tin rests to attach them to the tree
can be bought. Self-balancing candle
holders can also be found at most to,
shops, and need only to be placed ol
the branches. If these cannot be OBJ
tanned, common copper wire can b
heated little, and run up through tn
candle little way, and the upper en-,
can be twisted firmly about the branch
If the wicks are brushed over with
little kerosene put on with camel
hair brush, they will light very quickly
The light, snowy gifts can be sus
pended upon the tree, but the heavie
ones must be laid upon the piano o
table, or else wrapped in paper and al
ranged around the base of the tree. !
pair of scissors must be in readiness t,
cut the gifts from the branches. Whe
such tree is trimmed, filled with gift
and lighted, it is indeed a beautiful
sight-a graceful, green pyramid, wit
numberless little jets of flames, trem
bling and flashing mirrors, garlands O
bright hues-all brightness, sparkle
and color. Try it, fair friends, and Sc
for yourselves how lovely it is.-Ea
change.