In Nigeria, where evergreen trees are very rare, people use palm leaves 
to decorate their homes as a symbol of peace at Christmas time.

Materials needed: Green construction paper Green or brown pipe cleaners Scissors Glue One extra-large sheet of red construction paper (optional)

Directions:  1 Fold a green piece of construction paper in half lengthwise. 2 With a pencil, draw a long, narrow semi-circle from folded corner to folded corner. 3 Cut out the leaf shape with scissors.  Make sure you don't cut on the fold! 4 Leaving the paper folded in half, cut the edges to make the palm fringes. 5 Unfold the leaf and glue the pipe cleaner down the center along the fold. 6 Make as many leaves as you like and place them around your home with other Christmas decorations.  You can also paste your leaves to a large, red piece of construction paper with the Nigerian (Yoruba) words for "Merry Christmas": Eku Odun Ebi Jesu!

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