[NOV. 28, 2000]  Just as fashion has changed through the years — from petticoats and corsets to bell-bottoms and platform shoes — so has the trimming of the Christmas tree.

At the beginning of this century, conifers were adorned simply with clip-on candles lit briefly on Christmas Eve and nature’s ornaments made of dried fruits and berries. Later came electric lights and artificial trees, allowing people to put up their trees earlier with no fear of fire from the candles. Since then, trees have been flocked, draped, wrapped and bejeweled with a mélange of balls, bows and garland.

There’s no evidence that those early ways of trimming a tree will return any time soon, according to local interior designer experts. In fact, when it comes to Christmas trees of today, just about anything goes. The trend these days indicates people are putting up more artificial trees, displaying more than one tree, each with a different theme, and collecting more traditional ornaments.

Lincoln business owner Linda Churchill likes to decorate her tree in the traditional way, with ornaments her kids have made and other treasured items from her past.

"Mine is sentimental. Our tree has ornaments from the past and things we’re collected through the years," she said. "I think it’s a personal preference and what style of home you have."

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Churchill, who owns The Mustard Moon at 1314 Fifth St., said snowmen are very popular this year, as they were last year. Everything from plates to ornaments, jewelry and cookie jars are made in the shape of the beloved chubby snowman. "They were popular last year, but this year snowmen are really big. Everybody is buying them to display year round," she said.

Another hot decorating trend this year is outside lighting, including animated lights and scalloped lights, a new twist on the icicle lights so popular last year. "There is something new every year for people to try out," she said.

The traditional red and green colors most people associate with Christmas have competition from everything from bright metallic to pastels, and white artificial trees are becoming very popular again.

The trend of putting up and decorating more than one tree — even having a tree for each room of the house — remains popular, along with decorating each tree using a different theme.

"That’s another big trend — people are putting up more than one tree so they can decorate each one," Churchill said.

(To be continued)

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

Storing your holiday ornaments

[NOV. 27, 2000]  Since many people are spending a small fortune collecting expensive glass ornaments to dress up their Christmas trees, necessary precautions must be taken to store them properly. According to Country Living magazine, there are three essential steps to storing ornaments: Choose the right box, wrap them properly and find an ideal location at home.

A firm box with compartments or dividers is key to preventing delicate ornaments from hitting each other and breaking. Acid-free corrugated board or other archival materials are the ultimate storage, but divided boxes that glass ornaments are sold in will also work when placed inside a larger box or drawer. Avoid placing ornaments in plastic storage boxes because they prevent airflow and trap moisture inside.

Proper packing materials give cherished collectibles an added buffer. Experts prefer acid-free tissue, Bounty microwave paper towels (the only acid-free paper towels currently on the market) and 100-percent-cotton fabric. Don’t wrap ornaments in plastic bubble wrap or newspaper, which can transfer ink onto smooth surfaces, or cram too many items in a compartment.

Closets in the main living areas of the house are ideal, where temperatures and humidity levels are usually stable. Cupboards, chests of drawers and high shelves are other options. If the basement is the only available storage space, place boxes on high shelves and install a dehumidifier to control moisture.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

How to trim a tree

[NOV. 27, 2000]  According to Christopher Radko, renowned Christmas ornament designer, there are several easy steps to trimming a perfect tree:

 1.  Choose the right tree. Douglas or noble firs have the sturdiest branches, which are the easiest from which to hang ornaments. The best size is one foot taller than the tallest member of the family and one foot shorter than the ceiling.

 2.  Keep it fresh. Trim an inch from the bottom of the trunk and give it at least one gallon of water, replenishing daily. Use hot tap water to enhance circulation. Mix one tablespoon of liquid iron (found at nurseries), two tablespoons liquid corn syrup and one tablespoon chlorine bleach and add to the water.

 3.  Use a sturdy stand.

 4.  Wrap the trunk with tinsel to give the tree an inner sparkle.

 5.  Attach the tree topper.

 6.  Check caps, springs and hooks on ornaments to ensure they are all secure.

 7.  Add ornaments, decorating the top of the tree first and working down, placing the smaller ones at the top and larger ones at the bottom.

 8.  Layer garlands.

 9.  Hang tinsel from branch tips.

10. Last but not least, add a fabric skirt under the tree to hide electrical outlets.

[Penny Zimmerman-Wills]

Animals for adoption

These animals and more are available to good homes from the Logan County Animal Control at 1515 N. Kickapoo, phone 735-3232.

Fees for animal adoption: dogs, $60/male, $65/female; cats, $35/male, $44/female. The fees include neutering and spaying.

Logan County Animal Control's hours of operation:

Sunday  –  closed

Monday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Tuesday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Thursday  –  8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Friday  –  8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Saturday  –  closed

Warden: Sheila Farmer
Assistant:  Michelle Mote
In-house veterinarian:  Dr. Lester Thompson

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