diff --git a/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py b/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
index f4cf5ea9..8614cf6a 100644
--- a/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
+++ b/sugar/graphics/spreadbox.py
@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ from random import random
 import hippo
 
 _X_TILES = 120
-_NUM_TRIALS = 100
+_NUM_TRIALS = 20
+_MAX_WEIGHT = 255
 
 class _Grid(object):
     def __init__(self, x_tiles, y_tiles, cell_size):
@@ -84,29 +85,41 @@ class SpreadBox(hippo.CanvasBox, hippo.CanvasItem):
     def remove_item(self, item):
         self.remove(item)
 
+
+    def _place_item(self, item, x, y, w, h):
+        self._grid.add_weight_at(x, y, w, h)
+        self.set_position(item,
+                          self._grid.cell_size * x,
+                          self._grid.cell_size * y)
+
     def _layout_item(self, item):
         if not self._grid:
             return
     
         trials = _NUM_TRIALS
         placed = False
+        best_weight = _MAX_WEIGHT
+
+        [width, height] = item.get_allocation()
+        w = int(width / self._grid.cell_size)
+        h = int(height / self._grid.cell_size)
 
         while trials > 0 and not placed:
-            [width, height] = item.get_allocation()
-            cell_size = self._grid.cell_size
-
-            w = int(width / cell_size)
-            h = int(height / cell_size)
             x = int(random() * (self._grid.x_tiles - w))
             y = int(random() * (self._grid.y_tiles - h))
 
             weight = self._grid.compute_weight_at(x, y, w, h)
             if weight == 0:
-                self._grid.add_weight_at(x, y, w, h)
-                self.set_position(item, cell_size * x, cell_size * y)
+                self._place_item(item, x, y, w, h)
                 placed = True
+            elif weight < best_weight:
+                best_x = x
+                best_y = y
 
             trials -= 1
+            
+        if not placed:
+            self._place_item(item, best_x, best_y, w, h)
 
     def _layout(self):        
         for item in self.get_children():
diff --git a/tests/test-snowflake-box.py b/tests/test-snowflake-box.py
index eb7efb90..45f3c0ac 100755
--- a/tests/test-snowflake-box.py
+++ b/tests/test-snowflake-box.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
 # Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA  02110-1301  USA
 
 import sys
-import random
+from random import random
 
 import pygtk
 pygtk.require('2.0')
@@ -33,14 +33,14 @@ from sugar.graphics.canvasicon import CanvasIcon
 
 def _create_snowflake(parent, children):
     color = XoColor()
-    icon = CanvasIcon(scale=1.0, xo_color=color,
+    icon = CanvasIcon(scale=0.8, xo_color=color,
                       icon_name='theme:object-link')
     parent.append(icon, hippo.PACK_FIXED)
     parent.set_root(icon)
 
     for i in range(0, children):
         color = XoColor()
-        icon = CanvasIcon(scale=0.5, xo_color=color,
+        icon = CanvasIcon(scale=0.4, xo_color=color,
                           icon_name='theme:stock-buddy')
         parent.append(icon, hippo.PACK_FIXED)
 
@@ -58,25 +58,10 @@ box = SnowflakeBox()
 snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 0)
 root_box.set_center_item(box)
 
-box = SnowflakeBox()
-snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 30)
-root_box.add_item(box)
-
-box = SnowflakeBox()
-snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 15)
-root_box.add_item(box)
-
-box = SnowflakeBox()
-snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 10)
-root_box.add_item(box)
-
-box = SnowflakeBox()
-snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 5)
-root_box.add_item(box)
-
-box = SnowflakeBox()
-snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, 2)
-root_box.add_item(box)
+for i in range(0, 30):
+    box = SnowflakeBox()
+    snow_flake = _create_snowflake(box, int(2 + random() * 8))
+    root_box.add_item(box)
 
 canvas.show()
 window.add(canvas)