Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-12-17
How to Trim Christmas-Trees.

Inc popular custom of preparing
Christmas trees for the delight and
amusement of young or old, increase;
yearly, and the question: How shall
l trim oneT' is often asked; so I shall
try to answer it. If you can obtain the
tree from some pine woods near at hand
select fnely-shaped fir balsam OF
spruce, with firm branches, and about
nine or ten feet in height. Then spread
a large sheet over one end of the parlol
carpet, and put good sized tea chest in
the center of it.
The lower limbs of the tree must be
sawn off 80 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 fury robe is
also suitable. Drape these articles close
to the tree, and let them trail little on
the floor, to make graceful sweep.
Now the tree is planted and we mus.
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 entwined
amid the dark green branches of the
tree produce fine effect.
We must also have paper 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
ogether with -four paste, and make half
of them into 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 chain of rings which
will greatly adoln our tree. They must
be festooned in long, graceful loops from
limb to limb, and the effect is very
charming.
All this work the children can do, and
it adds greatly to the entertainment of
the long evenings, at this season. They
can also assist in covering English wal
nuts with tinfoil or gilt paper, and in
filling apples with cloves, which will
serve to keep moths from the drawers of
our bureaus, and therefore make accept
able presents.
If we possess a cracked mirror we
must take it to the glaciers and ask him
to cut it in two.inch squares. Around
the edges and across the backs colored
paper must be pasted, and long ribbon
loops attacked to the backs by which to
suspend them behind tiny wax candles,
where they will do duty as refectors.
Fancy glass balls of all colors can be
purchased for q few cents each; and
several dozen of colored wax candles
with tin rests to attach them to the tree,
can be bought. Self balancing candle
holders can be found at most toy shops,
and need only to be placed on the
branches. If these cannot be obtained,
common copper wire can be heated a
little, and run up through the candle a
little way, and the upper end can be
twisted firmly about the branch. If the
wicks are brushed over with a little
kerosene put on with a cancels hair
brush, they will light very quickly.
The light, snowy gifts can be sus-
pended upon the tree, but the heavier
ones must be laid upon the piano or
table, or else wrapped in paper and ar
ranged around the base of the tree. A
pair of scissors must be in readiness to
cut the gifts from the branches. When
such tree is trimmed, filed with gifts
and lighted, it is indeed beautiful sight
"a graceful green pyramid, with num-
berless little jets of fame, trembling
and flashing mirrors, garlands of bright
hues-all brightness, sparkle and color.
Try it, fair friends, and see for yourselves
how lovely it is.
A.