The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-23
Christmas-Trees.


The most successful Christmas-trees
in the way of effect are to be seen in
Germany. One fancies them laden
with toys on branches projecting sym
metrically out on both sides of the
trees, graduating into pyramidal shape
at the top, crowned with star and
Santa Claus. At least, this is the way
the story books always picture them,
and vet the fact is that many of the
most beautiful trees one sees in Ger
many have no toys at all upon them
and rely purely for their charms upon
other ornaments. Not only is the abb
sence of toys remarked. but also that
OF those small ornaments in the way of
transparencies, designs in gilt and
silver paper, colored balls, etc, which
with US have somewhat succeeded the
heavy toys, especially in the decoration
of Sunday-school trees.
To those who have neither the means
nor the opportunity to possess the
hundred varieties required to produce
an effect by this last style of ornament,
suggestions that come from a number
of beautiful Christmas-trees seen in
Germany. may not come amiss.
The effect of a Christmas-tree, as
displayed in German saloon, does not
depend alone upon the tree The whole
room is considered as a background,
and nothing is left undone that can
add to the enhancement of the beauty
OF the tree. Sometimes the whole room,
at least that part of it in which the tree
stands, is draped in such colors as
shall throw out the tree to the best ad-
vantage.
We remember one little saloon whose
windows ranged along one side of the
room. The three windows were draped
with crimson red curtains. The wall
paper was a rich gold in color, soft
ened by figures laid in in a darker tint.
Against the background of yellow and
crimson stood the tree. This reached
to the high ceiling. There were but
three styles of ornaments upon it. Soft,
white cotton wool pulled out to pro-
duce the effect of snow. This was laid
upon the limbs in the most dexterous
fashion, producing perfect illusion
of snow. Powdered glass or diamond
dust covered the surface. The tree
was lit from top to bottom with colOred
candles. Simple as it reads, :he effect
was magical. Another tree had a back
ground of white muslin. A frieze, so
to speak, of white sheets. This con-
tinued around the room. Along its
upper edge a wreath OF greens was
looped. garlandwise. Heading a green
baize dado, dividing it from the frieze.--
was a row of Christmas cards, the gath
erings OF years, belonging to the differ
ent members of the family. The tree
was alive with small red flowers and
yellow candles. On inspection, the
effect of holly was found TO have been
produced by kernels OF popped corn
These, originally white, had been dyed
a bright red, each flower or kernel held
by a light wire stem. These kernels
were grouped in small and large bunch
es, or peeped out singly from under the
foliage. The white background was
needed to bring out the red flowers.
| the green of the tree, and the effect of
the yellow candles
Another tree, although not so pretty
in effect, vet suggestive IN ideas, had
unique background of crimson chintz.
The frieze laid upon this color was
formed OF garland of flowers made
out OF twisted white muslin. The
effect was like sculpture and the illu-
sion almost perfect. This parteniar .
Christmas festiYity OF which We speak
was com bined with musical enter
tainment, and the design ia the frieze-
sign was made to express this idea At
each point where the garland was
caught up musical instruments were
grouped, made also out Of the white
muslin.
The tree held at the top large FROST
ed white star. The branches and foh-
age were covered with flour or some
substance which produced the effect OF
light snow. The principal ornament
was white paper snowDells. which
nodded in graceful profusion on all
sides. The lighting was effected
pure white candles.