How to Decorate an Animal-Theme Christmas Tree

Is your child set on being a veterinarian - or Dr. Dolittle? (Or is it you who harbors secret fantasies of talking to the animals?) Foster a fascination for the zoo by making your Christmas tree a home for a menagerie.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ribbons
• Christmas Trees
• Animal-oriented Christmas Tree Lights
• Tree Stands
• Yarns
• String
• Animal Hand Puppets
• Toy Animals

1. Buy a tree and set it up.

2. Put lights on it. Small white lights combined with a few strings of animal-shaped lights (cows, horses, lizards) are perfect for an animal-theme tree.

3. Collect the materials you'll need: primarily small plastic and rubber animals of all kinds, shapes and sizes. Ask your friends for their kids' castoffs and don't forget to check church jumble or rummage sales and flea markets.

4. Start with the biggest items - elephants and hippos. Then move on to medium and smaller animals, arranging as you go.

5. Use string, yarn or ribbon to tie the items to the ends of branches. Some animals - those with bendable legs or with straight legs that can straddle the branches - will practically attach themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• An animal puppet works perfectly for the top.
• Engage your child's interest by dividing the tree into regional or geographical areas - farmyard on this side, rain forest over there - and help him or her arrange the animals accordingly.

on 11/22/2005 A starfish makes a great topper for this tree -- use it plain, wrap it in a sheer ribbon, or decorate with lights or glitter as you wish.

on 11/22/2005 Your your collection of beanies will add lots of color.