Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 December 1880 — Christmas Decorations. [ARTICLE]

Christmas Decorations.

Of late, Christmas has become much more generally observed than in former years, and now there are but few among the most strict descendants of the Puritan forefathers who do not, in some way, celebrate the returning yearly festival. As the time draws near, all are busy preparing for Christmas and duties are in a measure suspended. House decorations and Christmas trees will soon be the subjects of thought and attention, and a few suggestions in this line will perhaps be acceptable. - The Hartford fern is one of the choicest vines for decorative purposes when a delicate trimming is desired. It may be'procured in the tall and pressed, or bought in packages ready for use. The sprays can be trained about pictures, Tastened on the wall with small pins, and used in vases, hanging baskets and shells, with charming effect. Lovely wreaths and designs of all kinds can be made by cutting out of heavy cardboard the or m desired and covering with evergreen. The best way is to cut the de-

sign or letters or whatever you wish to make out of paper, then mark around it on the cardboard, cutting out with a sharp knife. The hemlock or ground pine, whichever is usjed, should be cut in small pieces and sewed on nioelv. two or three sprays in a bunch, until the surface is entirely covered. Bright liollyberries are sometimes a great addition. If you have none, a good imitation may .be made by dipping dried peas into a solution of sealing wax varnish. A twoounce stick of wax is reduced to a coarse powder, then placed in a bottle and a quarter of a pint of spirits of wine poured over it. The wax will disolve without the aid of heat, but must be shaken often or it will cake. Take up the peas with forceps and dip them several times in the solution and they will soon assume a scarlet eolor. If they are first soaked in water a small wire can be inserted and bent a little to catch, then they can be allowed to dry and served in this manner and can be made into bunches, otherwise they will have to be gummed on Pretty scarlet letters, to be set in a back ground of green, may be made by sprinkling rice aied red, on cardboard, sized with a thick gum. If the first coating does not make them look nice repeat the process until the sunace is completely covered. “Merry Christmas,” “Happy New Year,” or “Welcome” can be placed on the wall by tacking up pressed ferns, with small pins in the farm of letters. *'

The lovely ground pine is the prettiest for fine work, and lasts much longer than our ordinary evergreen. It comes made into wreaths for those who do not wish the trouble of'making it up, and in bulk for letters,'etc. Straw has of late gained great ravor. in many designs for flower baskets, 3 and can be used for letters ami other forms by sewing it carefully to the shapes; a very fine needle and thread is necessary as the straws split easily. A small bunch of wheat and oats tied with a scarlet or blue ribbon is pretty, fastened under a picture, or a cluster of bright autumn leaves and some maiden-hair. Plumes of California pampas grass are lovely in high vases. The- Florida sea oat and beautiful dried grasses, dyed different colors, can also be used with good effect. Cape flowers, from Cape Town, and French immortals last a long time and are very pretty. The light Florida moss, which is sold by tne pound, gives a delicate and airy effect, festooned from the chandeliers. For a Christmas tree the cedar or fur is the best. Select one which is perfect in shape, being as nearly alike on all sides as possible. The first thing of importance is to see that the tree is set firm and straight. A box with a hole sawed in the top and filled with some heavy substance, forms a good solid base. This may be covered with a bright color, and when the larger presents are placed around, it will be nearly hidden. Nice white cotton spread over the branches, in patches, is a good imitation of snow,and icicles may be made by winding it into long spikes and hanging them here and there on the tree. Little candle holders should be fastened to the branches, taking care that the candles when lighted will not come in contact with anything. Faitfes may be made by using scrap book pictures and cutting I todies for them. Dress them in different colored tarletans; make the wings, spangles, shoes, etc., of silver or gilt paper. Egg shells broken carefully at the end can be made into pretty little ornaments by decorating them with some tiny scrap book pictures or flowers, or, if you have any artistic talent, they can be decorated with some little painting. Draw a course thread through a little star of gilt paper and paste it ever the end which is broken. Lace bags, in different shapes, may be. made with bright worsteds, and cornucopias of different fancy papers for candy. Bright ballfe, flags and banners, and numerous little fancy articles are sold at the toy stores for trees, which add much, when the candles are lighted, by their glitter, and make fie Christmas tree a thing of beauty.