Deck the tree: a Christmas card they decorate themselves
Instead of looking at a finished tree, the recipient gets to decorate one. In a warm room with snow falling outside stands a bare fir, and a box of decorations slides up from the bottom of the screen. Inside are five ornaments and a star. They pick each ornament up with a finger and drop it wherever they like; it hooks onto the nearest branch tip and sways a little. Once the star goes on top, the bulbs light from the top down, the room warms, the snow thickens and “Jingle Bells” plays.
It's a good fit for someone who misses trimming the tree with you: a grown child living far from home, a partner you're spending the holidays apart from, the friend you decorate with every year. Send the link in a message and it opens in their phone's browser. When it's done, the ornaments ring when tapped, so there's still something to play with afterwards.
What does the recipient experience?
- The first screen says someone sent you a tree waiting to be decorated. Tap “Open the box” and the lid of the ornament box lifts.
- Take the five ornaments one at a time and drop each one anywhere on the tree; it hangs on the closest free branch. Rather not drag? Just tap an ornament and it hangs itself.
- The star is saved for last. Carry it to the very top of the tree, or simply tap it.
- The star flares, the lights switch on from the top down, the room brightens and “Jingle Bells” begins.
- Presents drop under the tree, one tagged with your name. The sender's message follows; you can send back a thank-you emoji or tap the ornaments to hear them chime.
What can you choose?
The sender chooses the ornament colours from four sets: red and gold, silver and ice blue, pink and lilac, or copper and navy. The wrapped gifts match the set. The tree lights can be warm white or old-fashioned coloured bulbs. They also fill in the recipient's name, their own name and an optional message.
When to send it
The template appears under two occasions, Christmas and New Year. Sent for Christmas, the screen reads “Merry Christmas”; sent for New Year, it reads “Happy New Year”, and the default message changes to match. The week before the 25th is ideal, keeping in mind that links are deleted after seven days. Dragging ornaments is easiest on a touchscreen, though a mouse works fine too.
Common questions
Can I hang the ornaments exactly where I want?
Each one hangs on the free branch tip nearest to where you let go, so you decide the spot. Every finished tree looks a little different depending on who decorated it.
Why can't I put the star on first?
The star is deliberately kept for the final touch. Tap it early and a hint reminds you to hang the ornaments first.
Can I send it to someone who doesn't celebrate Christmas?
Yes. Create it under New Year instead and the tree becomes a New Year tree, with no mention of Christmas in the text.