Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-12-16
Hints for Planting and Decorating
the Chrinrnln n Traa


Dull and dreary indeed would dark Decem-
Der be to us all were it not for the delightful
task of planting and adorning Christmas
trees-the trees which are of more interest in
the household than any that ever grew before
beside its doors. For, all the autumn. prepa-
rations have been made for its adornment,
and all the pennies which each child could
collect have been carefully kept to buy some
pretty thing for ''mamma," some useful
gift for 'papa," some toy or candy for
"brother" or ''sister," while mysterious bits
of work are in hand, and long, whispered
conferences are held by the ladies' of the fam
lily in relation to this that, or the other arti-
Gle which must be purchased before the long
expected Christmas Eve arrives.
All over this extensive country these trees
are planted-not only in private homes, but
also in Sunday schools and day schools; and
it would seem as il hardly any child could
live so poorly that would not be the recipient
of some longed-for toy or sEeetmeat.
In the cities one can purchase these trees
already planted in bit of plank, and partly
decorated or entirely filled with toys, and
ready to be brilliantly lighted at any moment.
Yet in the country, where one must contrive,
and save, and make many of the gifts of the
tree, aud bake many cakes which are covered
with frosting and sugar plums, and drive out
into the woods and select a tree, and cut ii
down aud bring it home, there is quite as
much fun in the preparations, and quite as
much real satisfaction, as in the city.
Several days before Christmas il is well to
bring home the tree lest a deep snow should
fall, and it might not be as easily obtained,
and all the children must help carry it home.
Select one that has regular cone from base
to summit, and is of the proper height for
your parlor, and lop off any branches that
may interfere with its beauty; and while Sc
leeting the tree you can also gather quantities
of running pine, coral pine, and princes
pine wherewith to make garlands and crowns
and wreaths for adorning the halls, parlors
and dining-room. Also bring home large
branches of laurels and clusters Of swamp
elderberries and boughs of bitter-sweet ber-
ries.
Plant your tree in small wash-tub, filed
in with brickbats or hod of hard coal, or
anything that is heavy and will keep it in
place-hat-irons will do if there is nothing
else at hand-and cover over the tub with a
gayly- striped afghan, or fur robe, or a flag,
and upon this base many of the larger arti-
cles, such as books, desks etc, can be ar
ranged.
Those of our readers who are fortunate
possessors of long purse can purchase at
the fancy stores every imaginable device for
decorating most artistioaly and beautifully
such as silver doves or stuffed doves, colored
glass balls flags of every kind gilded stars,
tiny looking glasses that, if suspended behind
the candles, will reflect their light and make
it twice as bright, bells, woolly lambs and
bon b0Rs of every description while in the
toy shops are whole regiments Of dolls, from
the most elegant Partisan bellies to the knitted
sailor boy for the little baby, and vast cara
vans Of animals, and Noahs arks, and toys
that surpass description. But in thousands