How to Decorate an Intellectual Christmas Tree

By eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Rate: (2 Ratings)

The more crassly commercial Christmas gets, the more Grinch-like some of us become. Instead of grousing, why not retaliate with a tree that makes people think?

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Ribbons
  • Authors (card Deck)
  • Intellectual Stuff
  • Miniature Books
  • Christmas Trees
  • Cardboard
  • Small White Christmas Tree Lights
  • Tree Stands
  • Yarns
  • String

Step1
Buy a tree and set it up.
Step2
Put lights on it. Small white lights are perfect for an intellectual tree.
Step3
Collect the materials you'll need. Miniature books (made for dollhouses) are a start. A deck of cards for the traditional game Authors is invaluable (find a vintage one if you can - it doesn't matter if it's not complete; punch holes in corners and tie to the tree with ribbon or string). A book of quotations - Bartlett's or something more modern - is a must.
Step4
Make a series of thought-provoking quote ornaments. Find pithy and relevant quotes and enlarge them on a copier, glue them to cardboard and cut them into interesting shapes, and then color the edges or use glue and glitter to decorate. Or use clear nail polish to paste them to ornaments you already own.
Step5
Make ornaments to commemorate your favorite books: Reduce the fronts and backs on a copy machine, cut out and paste to cardboard.
Step6
Don't forget some writing implements - pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, a miniature typewriter if you spot one.
Step7
Use yarn or string to tie the items to the ends of branches.

Tips & Warnings

  • Don't forget to check your own ornaments, as well as shops, for ones that might fit an intellectual theme - a few elves toting book bags will "season" the tree!

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 How about adding CDs of classical music or books (include covers as well). Also, old cassettes would look great with a nice bow wrapped around the case. Pencils, erasers, magnifying glasses, grandpa's old pipe, quill pens and ink bottles, opera glasses, old reading glasses, anything you can imagine from an Old World office.
I see vintage postcards from Paris and New York (you can download examples of these from the internet and print onto vintage looking brown paper).

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eHow Article:  How to Decorate an Intellectual Christmas Tree

eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

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