A colloquial phrase used to describe the act of superficially decorating or "dressing up" a fundamentally unchangeable or
plain object, concept, or situation. It highlights that no matter how many leaves, lights, or ornaments you hang on
something to alter its appearance, its
core foundation remains exactly the same under the surface.
"He spent thousands putting a body
kit and a massive spoiler on that
broken-down commuter
car, but a tree with no branches is still a stick in the mud."