By Bailey Richards
The majority of college students live in dorms, apartments or rented houses. They are without their families for the first time in their lives. This can be difficult during the holidays, since most students are accustomed to elaborately decorated homes, and family traditions. This is all part of what makes this time of year special. While many students do not have the means to buy expensive decorations for their temporary homes, they can create this unique Christmas tree that is inexpensive and easy to make. In addition, it can be stored in a very small space, a necessity for apartment decorations.
Materials (all available at your local hardware store):
4 lengths of chain
1 medium-sized eye hook (if you are allowed to put a small hole in your ceiling)
1 quick link
2 15-in. garland strands
4 small picture-hanging eye hooks (if you have carpet)
1 package of green zip ties made for flower arranging
How to:
Take all 4 lengths of chain and hook them to the quick link. Then hook the quick link to the medium-sized eye hook. Drill a small pilot hole into a ceiling joist. Screw the eye hook in the hole. Screw the 4 small eye hooks in the carpet, securing them to the ground in a square formation, making sure to push them past the carpet backing. Use a green zip tie to connect one length of chain to one eye hook. Repeat, connecting all 4 lengths of chain to all 4 eye hooks. Starting at the top, take one strand of garland and a green zip tie and put the zip tie through the quick link and close it tightly around the garland. In a circular pattern, move around the chains and connect the garland to each chain as you move from the top to the bottom. When one garland runs out, attach the second garland and continue in a circular motion. After both garlands are completely attached to the chains, decorate the tree with lights or ornaments. In taking down the tree at the end of the season, unclip the quick link from the top eye hook, and unscrew the bottom 4 small eye hooks. Cost: around $20.
*If you are not allowed to put a hole in your ceiling, then zip tie the quick link to a drop ceiling, or any pipes or light fixtures on the ceiling. If you do not have carpet, then you can use small weights or tape to spread out the chains.
