The Christmas tree is usually the highlight of the home during the festive season. Other focal points for christmas decorations are the front door, the fireplace and perhaps a hall. Window frames, open stairways, the mantelpiece and openings between rooms may also be adorned.

Good decoration consists of much more than sticking a few branches of evergreens behind curtain rods or pictures. Well-made garlands, sprays and hanging christmas decorations can be suitably designed for each room and its furnishings. Fortunately, it is comparatively easy to make them.

The spray, sometimes called a swag, is simpler in construction than a wreath and requires less material. It may be used in any place where a wreath or other christmas decorations would be appropriate and is particularly attractive for brightening a mantel, a newel post or a narrow space between windows.

A few branches of pine neatly wired together may be the basis for a beautiful spray. Various christmas decorations may be added. One large cone may be sufficient, or several small cones may be bunched to simulate a large one. A red bow completes a spray requiring little time or money, yet it is handsome as many an expensive commercial product. (Drawing 8).

When grouping branches for the spray, start with the largest. Then add the lesser branches. The main branch should not be too broad, or the spray will be out of proportion when completed. Stem ends should be cut obliquely, with the cut surface toward the back of the spray. This is a minor detail, but makes considerable difference in the final effect, which should include no glaring white cuts. Some of the greens may be turned upward and wired inconspicuously to cover stems. These are further concealed by the attached cones and the bow. The bow is wired on the christmas decorations when all other work is finished.

There is ample opportunity for variety in swags. A few sleigh bells worked into a door spray will jingle a welcome to every visitor. (Drawing 8) If you are fortunate enough to own a set of bells, or a long strip of bell harness, arrange these christmas decorations as a base for a spray or garland of evergreens. Berries and cones, of course, may be worked into any such arrangement.

Convincing artificial snowballs and icicles can be made by soaking newspaper and rolling or squeezing it into the desired shape. A string is tied to the ball or icicle which is then coated with a thin mixture of plaster of Paris prepared by adding warm water and stirring rapidly. The plaster hardens in a few minutes.

No. 8

A large cone wired on long needle pine is effective with satin bow. Flower pots against spruce, fir or pine are unique; sleigh bells, cones and greens make attractive door pieces.

The decorator who is also a gardener may bring a summer hobby into the Christmas scene by using new clay flowerpots in various small sizes, hung upside down, as bells on sprays or wreaths for the christmas decorations. One design uses a branch as crosspiece from which pots are suspended by knotted cords. From the knot, inside the pot, a round bell may be hung as a clapper. It is wise to place flowerpots against a background of fir or other soft evergreen to prevent scratching of woodwork. (Drawing 8).

Crossed candy canes are an amusing touch, and one to delight children. These christmas decorations can be used on doors, grilles or fences outdoors, or indoors in place of wreaths or sprays. Wooden canes are selected in sizes proportionate to the place they are to decorate. They may be painted with quick-drying white enamel and wound with red waterproof ribbon tacked or fastened with Scotch tape. For small canes choose red Scotch tape, which comes in widths up to half an inch. Two crossed canes, tied with bright red ribbon, are effective against a dark background. Greens may be added. (Drawing 9).

A simulated Christmas tree on the front door offers a pleasant greeting to every caller. To make it, cut a piece of half-inch galvanized wire to the desired size and shape. Insert small pieces of spruce or fir through the mesh of the wire; the needles will catch and hold the pieces in place. Attach the greens in the way that shingles are put on a roof, starting with the bottom row and overlapping each succeeding row. Decorate with single cranberries or with pieces of popcorn wired into position. Red yarn makes a striking outline for the base. (Drawing 9).

A similar "flat tree" christmas decorations for the wall of a large room, a public hall or church, may be constructed with chicken wire cut to size and shape. Greens are tied on with hairpin-shaped pieces of wire. Gift tables, small tableaux, Christmas villages and even old Santa Claus himself will look well against such a background.

Other door pieces may be constructed on coat hangers. The crosspiece of the wire hanger is bent toward the top to increase the slope of the sides. The next step is to hold branches of evergreens on each side and place a piece to cover the top. A wire twisted around the neck of the hanger keeps them from slipping. A few whitened branches may be added, some berries wired in and a bow placed in the center to complete these beautiful christmas decorations. If all materials are at hand, this piece takes only a few minutes. (Drawing 10).

Garlands are made in the same way as wreaths. Greens are tied or wired to a rope or some other pliable material, instead of to a frame, so that the garland may be gracefully draped where it is wanted. It is well to cut the rope to size in advance. Cutting when finished will loosen the whole piece.

No. 9

The flat tree, useful for a doorpiece, is made on inch mesh galvanized wire by inserting small pieces of evergreen. Cranberries and red yarn give color. Crossed red and white canes brighten a grille.

No. 10

A wire coat hanger bent to shape is easily concealed by greens, berries, whitened branches, cones and a bow wired into position. It is a quick easy-to-make piece.

If the garland is to decorate a mantel and hang down on each side, it is preferable to make it in two sections and join them at the center. Otherwise greens hang down on one side and face up on the other. The joint may be easily hidden by greens or another christmas decorations. (Drawing 11).

When making a garland, fasten the rope at one end to a nail or doorknob or to something else stationary to keep it taut during the binding. Cover the rope with pieces or bunches of evergreen, about four inches long. Do not use too much or the result will be clumsy.

Any greens which do not drop as they dry may be selected for christmas decorations. When coniferous evergreens are chosen, a few pieces of the broadleaved evergreens may be shellacked and placed in back of the garland, as is done with wreaths. If garlands are to be hung against brown paneling or woodwork, a rich effect may be attained with golden arbor-vitae decorated with limes, lemons, avocado pears and grapefruit. For a contrasting touch of white, add small onions.

Nearly all christmas decorations made much in advance of Christmas should be kept outdoors or in a damp, cold place inside. Then they will keep well for two weeks or more and be perfectly fresh when hung indoors. If there is snow on the ground, the greens may be buried in it. If sprinkled with water they may freeze in bitter weather, but no harm will be done. The exception to the rule is that greens or trees treated to make them fire-resistant must be kept dry. In the case of garlands it is well to work before the Christmas rush begins.

An attractive christmas decorations for hanging in a hallway, on the porch or in a bay window are the evergreen balls. This is made by shaping a generous handful of sphagnum moss into a ball and tying it all around with florists' thread. The moss must not be too hard or the ends of greens cannot be easily inserted. On the other hand, if it is too loose, they will fall out. (Drawing 11).

The stem ends of greens to be used should be stripped of needles and branches. If oblique cuts are made with shears, the ends are easy to poke in. Boxwood, yew, fir or spruce and some of the pines are all good for the ball because their wood is rigid and goes in easily. Hemlock and arborvitae may be more difficult to handle, depending on the size of the pieces. It is easier to make the ball if it is suspended on a wire. A 12-inch length can be inserted through the ball and hooked at the end to hold it. The top end can also be hooked and a ribbon may be fastened to this to suspend it. (Drawing 11) The ball may be decorated with berries, a red bow, bells or mistletoe. If mistletoe is used, it is called a kissing ball.

No. 11

A garland made on rope, decorated with fruits may easily be draped. Sphagnum moss tied into a ball shape is filled with small pieces of boxwood. Mistletoe and a bow complete it for hanging.

No. 12

Embroidery hoops and mistletoe are light to hang. Star ornaments hung from blue paper in deep doorways, or stars made from tooth-picks inserted in corks and covered with glitter add sparkle to the room.

This type of christmas decorations may be contrived with a pair of embroidery hoops fastened one within the other, at right angles, so that there are four equal sections. (Drawing 12) The hoops may be painted or wrapped with green ribbon or may be covered with small pieces of evergreens. Inside the ball a piece of mistletoe is suspended. This, too, is a kissing ball. It weighs so little it may be hung from lighting fixtures.