HOME MAKERS' CORNER

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 11, 1 December 1948, Page 8

HOME MAKERS' CORNER

Bv “LYXETTE

THE CHRISTMAS TREE 0 Christmas tree, 0 Christmas tree, How sturdy God hath made thee— Thou bidst us all place faithfully Our trust in God unchangingly. The Christmas tree originated in central Europe in the Middle Ages, and has much of Christian symbolism associated with it. The evergreen tree typifies the everlasting love of God, and the candles represent the Light of the World which was revealed to us in Christ Jesus. The star usual)} placed at the stop of the tree, symbolises the star that “came and stood over where the young child was,” while the presents tied to the branches had their origin in the gift* that the wise men brought to the Infant Jesus. Indeed, all Christmas gifts have this a* their origin, and in past days these gifts were for the poor “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me” Though it is not always possible to have a full-sized tree in the house, even a small one can be very decorative and give a festive Christmas look to a room. Lawsoniana, cypress, spruce and rimu all have the fine texture of small needles, and the attractive shape necessary for a small tree. There are many ways in which it may be Jecorated, with ribbons, streamers, crepe paper bows, tinsel, or paper toffees. A star made from silver paper and cardboard can be easily fixed to the top by wiring from the stem. If extra glamour is desired, a glittering sprinkling of “snow” may be added. Dissolve two or three pounds of alum in hot water and stc.nd to cool in a large bucket or kerosene tin. When cool suspend the tree in the solution and leave for about twenty-four hours. When it is removed, the crystals of alum will be sparkling all through the tree, and stood in a flower pot of wet sand, it looks really lovely.