diff --git a/tree_sim.py b/tree_sim.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..df671fe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tree_sim.py
@@ -0,0 +1,90 @@
+import threading
+import numpy as np
+import time
+import colorsys
+
+from matplotlib import pyplot, animation
+from matplotlib.animation import FuncAnimation
+from mpl_toolkits.mplot3d import Axes3D
+
+
+class TreeSimulator2000:
+    """ Tree simulator that plots the LEDS in matplotlib """
+
+    def __init__(self, coords):
+        """
+        coords: [x,y,z] coordinate for each LED in order
+        colors: optional, initial colors for each LED in order
+        """
+        self.x_vals = [c[0] for c in coords]
+        self.y_vals = [c[1] for c in coords]
+        self.z_vals = [c[2] for c in coords]
+        self.led_count = len(coords)
+
+        self.colors = np.random.random((self.led_count, 4))
+
+        # Starts the matplotlib in a different thread
+        self.plot_thread = threading.Thread(target=self._animate, daemon=True)
+        self.plot_thread.start()
+        # True to make update get called once
+        self.changed = True
+        self.should_update = True
+
+    def set_pixel(self, led_i, r, g, b):
+        self.colors[led_i] = self._rgb_to_rgba(r, g, b)
+        self.changed = True
+
+    def show(self):
+        # I just adjusted this number until the simulation matched the video pretty well
+        time.sleep(0.034)
+        self.should_update = True
+
+    def _animate(self):
+        self.fig = pyplot.figure()
+        self.ax = Axes3D(self.fig)
+        self.ax.set_facecolor((0.0, 0.27, 0.10))
+        self.ax.view_init(azim=18.0, elev=12.0)
+        self.h = self.ax.scatter(self.x_vals, self.y_vals, self.z_vals, c=self.colors)
+        self.ani = FuncAnimation(self.fig, self._update, interval=16)
+        pyplot.show()
+
+    def _update(self, i):
+        if not self.changed or not self.should_update: return
+
+        self.changed = False
+        self.should_update = False
+
+        self.ax.clear()
+        self.h = self.ax.scatter(self.x_vals, self.y_vals, self.z_vals, c=self.colors)
+        # Make x,y,z proportional
+        self.ax.set_xlim3d(-400, 400)
+        self.ax.set_ylim3d(-400, 400)
+        self.ax.set_zlim3d(-400, 400)
+
+    def _rgb_to_rgba(self, r, g, b):
+        """
+        converts an rgb color into an rgba color. where darker rgb colors become transparent, not black.
+        this is to better emulate an LED
+        """
+        # r, g, b must be out of 255
+        h, s, v = colorsys.rgb_to_hsv(r, g, b)
+        r, g, b = colorsys.hsv_to_rgb(h, s, max(v, 240))
+
+        return [r / 255, g / 255, b / 255, min(v + 20, 255) / 255]
+
+    def __setitem__(self, key, value):
+        """
+        The magic sauce, lets you set pixels by doing tree_sim[i] = [g,r,b]
+        """
+        if not isinstance(key, int):
+            raise TypeError(f"Expected an int for index, not {type(key)}")
+
+        if not (0 <= key < self.led_count):
+            raise ValueError("Index is out of range")
+
+        # value is GRB
+        g = value[0]
+        r = value[1]
+        b = value[2]
+
+        self.set_pixel(key, r, g, b)
diff --git a/xmaslights-spin.py b/xmaslights-spin.py
index 3b77d79..0ce7974 100644
--- a/xmaslights-spin.py
+++ b/xmaslights-spin.py
@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
-def xmaslight():
+def xmaslight(simulate=False):
     # This is the code from my 
     
     #NOTE THE LEDS ARE GRB COLOUR (NOT RGB)
     
     # Here are the libraries I am currently using:
     import time
-    import board
-    import neopixel
     import re
     import math
+
+    if simulate:
+        from tree_sim import TreeSimulator2000
+    else:
+        import board
+        import neopixel
     
     # You are welcome to add any of these:
     # import random
@@ -40,7 +44,10 @@ def xmaslight():
     #set up the pixels (AKA 'LEDs')
     PIXEL_COUNT = len(coords) # this should be 500
     
-    pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.D18, PIXEL_COUNT, auto_write=False)
+    if simulate:
+        pixels = TreeSimulator2000(coords)
+    else:
+        pixels = neopixel.NeoPixel(board.D18, PIXEL_COUNT, auto_write=False)
     
     
     # YOU CAN EDIT FROM HERE DOWN
@@ -141,4 +148,4 @@ def xmaslight():
 
 
 # yes, I just put this at the bottom so it auto runs
-xmaslight()
+xmaslight(True)