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Instead of the normal fir tree or green artificial Christmas tree, why not try one that is different and utterly lovely to look at?
Materials needed:
A dry branch of a tree - the size depends on you – make sure that the tree can fit through the doors of your house without scratching anything.
White paint – either white wash or the aerosol variety
Gold and silver paint (optional)
Glitter (optional)
Old newspapers
Cotton wool
Rocks, stones to secure the tree
A container to hold the tree upright (bucket, or old paint tin)
Method
The branch that you select should have a stem of at least 1 metre, preferably 1 and a half metres long.
It is better to tackle this project outdoors. Wear old clothing before starting.
Ensure that all leaves have been removed from the tree branch.
Lay sheets of newspaper on the ground and put the tree branch on top of the newspapers.
If you are using aerosol paint, make sure that you do not inhale the fumes. Spray paint the tree, ensuring that the whole tree has been painted. Wait for the paint to dry, then spray on another layer. A third layer may be needed.
When you have painted the last layer on the tree, you may want to sprinkle glitter (silver and gold look the best) on the tree - do not overdo it, just sprinkle a bit here and there.
If you are painting with a brush – paint the entire tree with a large paint brush and let the paint dry. Using a smaller brush touch up the parts of the tree that you previously missed with paint. Let the paint dry. Paint the tree with another layer and let dry. A third layer should not be necessary.
Choose the container for your tree. A round clay potplant holder looks great with this painted tree, but if you do not have one handy, used a bucket or an old paint tin which is large enough to support the tree.
If it’s an old paint tin or container that will not be used after Christmas, paint the outside of the container with about three coats of paint – white, silver or gold - gold looks stunning. If you prefer not to paint the container, then after you’ve secured the tree in the container, take a length of shiny wrapping paper, measure the outside area of the container and add on about 30 centimetres to the length of the gift paper. Wrap the gift paper around the container and secure with tape. Wind a piece of tinsel round the top of the container to hide the top of the gift paper.
To secure tree, you’ll need a number of rocks and stones. Place the larger rocks at the base of the container. Carefully place the tree (make sure the paint is dry) in amongst the rocks and start filling the container with rocks and pebbles until the tree feels totally secure. A wonderful idea is to keep back the smoothest of the pebbles and to paint them in silver, gold and white and once the tree has been secured with the rocks, place the painted pebbles on the top of the layer of rocks so that it covers the unpainted pebbles and rocks.
Get out your decorations and place them on the branches of the tree. Little elves and animals especially look quite at home in one of these trees.
Once you’ve finished putting up your decorations, take a packet of cotton wool and break it into pieces. Let the cotton wool pieces drop all over your tree – it will look just like snow.
This tree is certainly different and may even start a new tradition in your family.
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