Christmas tip: space saving tree idea

A FULL-SIZE TREE with all the bells and whistles is not always an option. Limited space or a season of travel can mitigate against the full palaver. This whimsical tree in a frame can be used as a surrogate or as a decorative flourish. To make it, cut a star, trunk and four triangles in decreasing sizes from plain and embossed silver paper. Give the bottom edge of each triangle a scalloped contour to create the look of a tree. Layer the pieces, beginning with the trunk and working upwards, on a piece of stiff white card. Mount the card inside a contrasting border and secure within the frame.