Outline of drawing an xmas tree with Graphite (see https://github.com/matthewskelton/GraphiteGreetings)

gistfile1.rb

require 'Graphite'
require 'Logger'

# Change these as needed for your environment
server = "my.graphite.server.url"
log = Logger.new(STDOUT)
prefix = "Test.Me.XmasTree."

# Create the logger to send stats to Graphite with specific timings
logger = Graphite::Logger.new(server,log)

# Define the offsets
#
# Use Now as a starting point, 
# or set a specific time e.g. Time.utc(2012,12,22,19,10,30)
# We need a 20-minute window to plot 
t = Time.now
t0 = Time.at(t.to_i - (20 * 60))    # 20 mins ago
t1 = Time.at(t0.to_i + (60 * 1))    # Left base of tree
t2 = Time.at(t0.to_i + (60 * 3))    # Lower tinsel2
# etc.

# Inject the stats - the order is determined by the default Graphite colours 
logger.log(t21,{prefix + "Tinsel1" => 3})
logger.log(t18,{prefix + "Tinsel1" => 6})
# etc.