Unique Designs for Artificial Trees

Artificial trees cannot compare with real Christmas trees in dignity or significance. They should be regarded as interesting fancies, or as decorative details in a com­plete Christmas picture. They may be created and used for special occasions, as for a children's party or a holiday dinner. In small homes or city apartments, where a real tree would be impractical, an artificial tree may serve as a symbol. It is better to have a tin tree, a wooden tree, a gumdrop or lollipop tree than no tree at all.

A simple artificial tree for flat surfaces was described in the preceding chapter. The trees we now consider stand alone, on tables or mantles or wide window sills. It would be difficult to supply clear instructions for mak­ing them without the help of pictures, so it is suggested that the reader glance first at Drawings 13, 14, 15, 16 and 21. Reference will be made below to individual drawings as each tree is discussed.

One of my favorites is the tin tree (Drawing 13). It is built on a wooden base about &i/2 inches in diameter. A dowel stick or slender wooden rod, 18 inches high, is used for the trunk of the tree. This trunk is held in position by driving a nail through the bottom of the base board into the dowel stick, a job best done in a bench vise, or by a handy man. The spiral (Drawing 13) consists of an inch-wide strip of tin, 56 inches long. A substitute for tin is the metal binding which is sold by the yard for fastening carpets or linoleum to the floor.

It has neither the strength nor sparkle of tin but will serve the purpose. Force a hole through the end of the tin strip with a nail; then drive an ordinary tack through the hole to fasten it to the board, setting the strip at an angle. Coil this three times around the trunk and tack it to the top end. A 4½-inch tin star may then be tacked on the top of the tree.

This is the foundation of the tin tree. Now comes an opportunity to use the stubby, coarse pieces of evergreen usually discarded by the decorator. These are poked into the tin spiral. Fresh fruit, supported by the stiff stems, is mounded in among them.

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