The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1880-12-11
CHRISTMAS TREES.
How to Trim Them Most Effectively.


The popular custom of preparing
Christmas trees Tor the young and old
increases yearly; aud the question,
How shall trim onep" is often asked;
so shall try to answer it. If you can
obtain the tree from some pine woods
near at hand, select q tinely-shaped fir
balsam or spruce, with firm branches,
and about nine or ten feet high Then
spread large sheet over one end of the
parlor carpet and put a good-sized tea
chest in the center Of it.
The lower limbs Of the tree must be
sawn off so that it can be fixed firmly
into the box, and 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 concealed with
some pretty material; old curtains will
answer the purpose, Or the American
flag; and white furry robe is also suit
able. 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 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 q large-sized tree,
and the pure white festoons intwined
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
together with flour paste, and make hal
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 q chain OF rings which
will greatly adorn 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
filing apples with cloves, which will
serve to keep moths from the drawers OF
our bureaus, and therefore make accept
able presents.
If we possess cracked mirror we
must take it to the GLACIERS and ask him
to cut it into two-inch squares. Around
the edges and across the backs colored
paper must be pasted, and long ribbon
loops attached to the backs by which to
suspend them behind the tiny wax can
dies, where they will do duty as refiec"
tors.
Fancy glass balls of all colors can be
purchased for few cents each; and
several dozen of wax candles, with tin
rests to attach them to the tree, can he
bought. Self-balancing candle-holders
can also 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 little and
run up through the candle little way,
and the other end can be twisted firmly
about the branch. If the wicks are
brushed over with little kerosene they
will light up very quickly.
The very light and snowy gifts can be
suspended upon the tree, but the heavier
articles must be laid upon the table, or
else wrapped in paper and laid around
the base of the tree. A pair OF scissors
must be in readiness to cut the gifts
from the branches. When such q tree
is trimmed, filled with gifts and lighted
it is indeed beautiful sight--a graceful
green pyramid, with numberless little
jets of flame, trem bling and flashing
mirrors, garlands of bright hues-all
brightness, sparkle and color. Try it,
fair friends, and see for yourselves how
lovely it is.