This LED desk decoration uses a 555 timer as a driving clock at about 1hz, and 2 8 bit shift registers with an XOR gate to form a linear feedback shift register. The shift register outputs drive LEDs (through transistors) placed in a simple triangular 'tree' pattern. The results is a slowly and slow and random twikling. A second capacitor provides a power on reset function.

Placement of the battery holder allows the device to stand on its own. 2 AA batteries operates the device for several weeks.

With the exception of the battery holder, the board is all surface mount. The board was stenciled, and soldered in a small toaster oven. Components were hand placed.

Schematic and board layout in KiCad format available at the linked github. A parts list with Digikey numbers is attached to this parts list. One part, the transistor, is discontinued.