Make a fake Christmas tree that has branches that all fold up, and are spring-loaded like one of those nice umbrellas, so all you have to do is push a button, the branched snap down into place, and your tree is set up in a second.-- MikeOxbig, Dec 19 2005 Instant Christmas Tree http://www.bitsandp...038-005__id-46.htmlNot spring-loaded, but this sad little nod toward Christmas spirit is almost as easy to erect and later collapse for storage. [jurist, Dec 20 2005] [+] Although you'd have to supply a pole with which to press the button, so you don't get attacked by the tree.-- Snuffkin, Dec 20 2005 In fact, why not have what is essentially just an actual umbrella. The only enhancement is that the fabric is green, with a brown handle and stem, and has a print pattern that simulates that of a decorated christmas tree. Perhaps one could over-egg the pudding by embedding LEDs and such. And a fairy on top.-- Ian Tindale, Dec 20 2005 "over-egg the pudding"? What does that mean?-- MikeOxbig, Dec 23 2005 too many eggs make the pudding kinda over eggy!-- po, Dec 23 2005 Oh-- MikeOxbig, Dec 23 2005 But, isn't it bad luck to open an umbrella indoors? That's what my mother always told me!-- roleohibachi, Dec 23 2005 It's bad luck to be superstitious.-- Ian Tindale, Dec 23 2005 People got the idea that opening an umbrella indoors is bad luck as they thought someone's eye might be poked out in the process of opening it up.-- MikeOxbig, Dec 28 2005 This could be great. I'd get a mate to help put it up. That way he could hit the button at the same time as I hurled a load of tinsel over it: Shazam, randomly decorated tree in <a second. Fantastic. +-- stilgar, Nov 27 2006 halfbakery