Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 December 1883 — Hints for Christmas Gifts. [ARTICLE]

Hints for Christmas Gifts.

‘ What shall I make for- Christmas?” is the question that is npw heard on all sides, and a few hints for simple and easily niade-fancrt-m'ticles may prove of use to our readers. When the geese are killed, be sure and secure all the soft, downy feathers, for down pillows ar<‘ on<> <■ 1 fashion’s m-west faneies, and they uro certainly delightful for sofas and large easy-chairs' The pillows are half a yard square, covered with pliable silk or satin merveille.nx, and embroidered in dainty designs,. or they may be made of the India silk, which comes in ex iptis it e designs of Howers, almost as beaut if ol as irnisd work. If tiie pilloxv is to be used by an invalid, a case of linen to be draxvn on and off should ac-<-<>mp::n v it, ami t his may ho made quito elaborate bv drawing the threads, and working them over With colored linen thread. . For :a. young ladyia chatelaine, bag will be an acceptable gift. The shape is usually a square, with three gathers at the top, but it is jii'ettier to round tho corners and yeuge with lace. 7;These L ; -bags match the costume, with which they are xvorn, or for evening wear are made in the shape of a triangle or heart of satin Or black velvet, and painted or embroidered with bright red straxvberries with bYittertiies hovering, over theffuZ A spray of holly, xvitli its brilliant sear--let berries, xvonld also be pretty. They are suspended from the arm by a colored ribbon, tied in a boxv at the top. .(.Irandnia will-appreciate an embroidered velvet ease, for her spectacles, and a tasty autumn-leaf pen-wiper may be made of four shades of cloth—red, brown, old-gold and oliye.^yCut-one of each color, but. of different sizes, into the form of a. maple leaf—for which natural leaves will serve as patterns—and vein with silk, the red xvith green, olive w ith scarlet, gold with brown, and brown with yellow. Arrange them in a spray, overlapping each other with two medium-sized ones in the center, and a small dhe at. the top, Baek with a piece - of the olive cloth, and put in two bits of chamois skin for the-wiper, fastening all together with a bow of cardinal and old-gold colored ribbon. A pretty desigi; for a xvall-pocket is a pair of bellows. The shape of the bellows should be cut out of thin wood or pasteboard, and covered with eresired. Threemoruered pieces o#=silk a?e iitted ill the. sides, and the nozzle is formed of a gradiuded piece of paste board? covered with gilt paper. The front may be decorated in any way that fancy dictates— Agnes Carr, in. American A'jriciiltinixt.

More than a hundred years ago the poet sang, “Welcome to th" new-born year! j J .o! it comes by hope attended. ” And the century has not changed the truth thus expressed, nor diminished its strength. As each year closes ?ve stand ever ready to greet the new-co.mer with glad words and cherry smiles, and to indulge in anticipations- scarcely dampened, but for the moment, by the ! stern fact that the past has often • brought to us sorrow ami disappointment. As 1883 is passing from view we linger over the memory of dear faces, which gladdeijed us one little ! year ago, now gone; of hopes, so lately I bright, now shattered forever ; of fori tunes changed; ,t>f sorrows unknown ■ before; and while memory lingers shadows thicken around the heart. i Butrwith the first joy-bells of the new i year hope awakes as fresh and bright as if it had"not lately almost died; and the kindly greetings exchanged, the hand in friendship given, turn the tide of sorrowful and useful recollections, and give courage to go forward cheerfully info the unknown realms of another year.'• The good wishes which jt is the custom to express on Xew Year 3 day are often positively helpful, and always tend to brighten life. Let us not be sparing of them as we step upon-the threshold of 188 L