Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-23
Trimming the Tree.

The first thing to make sure of in
placing the Christmas tree is that it is
firmly planted. Probably the safest way
to make homemade stand is to make
a cross of two pieces of wood, nail four
cleats to the tree and then to the four
cross pieces of wood that lie on the
floor The iron supports sold in the stores
that screw loose or tight to adjust them
selves to any sized trunk are safe A
small tree can be firmly held in a box of
sand, In an inverted box with a
round opening for the trunk in the bot
tom. There are expensive and safe
stands for sale in the toy shops. One is
delightful green base that revolves con-
stantly and gives forth two or three
Christmas carols, one after the other.
from little music box that works with
the same machinery that reyolves the
tree.
Any of the homemade supports and
the cheaper bought ones should be COW
cred with mound of white cotton bat
ting, sprinkled with artificial snow A
covering of Christmas greens can be used
instead of the batting.
Candles are SO dangerous when they
are lighted on trees that they really
ought not to be used If you cannot af-
IOrO some OF the peduTl1ul little electric
lights. let the tree stand under the gas or
electric chandelier or shower and trim it
with many bright and glttering things
that will catch the light The electric
lights are really not very expensive for
they last from year to year Get one
string of bulbs this year another next
and another the year after and each
year you will be adding to a serviceable
holiday store
A hoer1 frl
mas tree is a small glass canary illu-
minated within by electricity He sits
on perch In tiny brass wire cage,
which is suspended by means Of the cleo
trio wire, covered with silk.
1t is. not at all necessary to buy the
expensive ornaments for Christmas tree
decorations. If you have not much money
to spend on the tree. invest that little in
plenty of artificial snow and lead shay
ings. Spread and sprinkle these gener-
ously over the tree. Bunches of holly
berries and leaves, tied on the branches
with red ribbon, in addition to the spar
king snow and strands of lead shavings
make festival-looking tree. Strings of
popcorn and cranberries, shayings and
snow. and red paper flower on the tip
of each branch make another attractive
decoration. A pure white tree is a de-
light. Use the shavings-their silverness
tones in with the white, and the artificial
snow. Loop strands of popcorn from
hough to bough. With white ribbon or
silver cord suspend white snowballs,
made Of cotton batting and rolled in
artificial snow from the branches. Have
little and big balls and suspend them on
strings of different lengths.
A favor store is good place to get
interesting things to hang on the tree.
First put on some bright and decorative
ornaments and then, especially on the
lower branches, where the children can
study them in all their details. hang on
dozens of tiny objects found at the IA
vor stores or counters These decorations
may later be taken by the children to
play with, of course. Tiny paper trunks
anu boxes and bags, little automobiles.
carriages, slippers, animals, dishes. bells,
tricks and all sorts of little knicknacks
can be picked up that will make unusual
tree decorations
Copyright. 1879