The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-11
Merry Trifies for Merry Christmas.

Santa Claus in his fantastic dress,
the rows of stockings hanging from the
mantel, and all the odd surprises that
people are arranging at this time, are
an important part of Merry Christmas.
The more of mirth and mystery that
we can crowd into the holidays, the
more we enjoy them. Confectioners
know this, and put up their sweets in
all sorts Of queer shapes-a pile of
wood, slice Of beef, bunch of cigars,
or a bottle of beer. Mother Goose
always comes out in fresh plumage,
and it is high carnival for the children
everywhere. Often an odd arrange
ment of Christmas presents adds to the
jollity and merriment of the day-a
gift smuggled under heap of sugar
plums, or inclosed in half a-score of
paper boxes.
A capacious grandma's pocket can
be made of gay calico and filled with
gingerbread and goodies, miniature
snutf-box, spectacles and case, handker-
chief, knitting-work, etc., while costly
hidden among these articles is the pres
ent that one has been days in devising.
Very comical old-lady pen-wipers can
be made with a hickory-hut for the
head, and spool for the body; the
dress OF black broadcloth, and the cap
OF white muslin. The sharp peak Of
the nut makes an excellent nose, and
the mouth and eyes can be marked with
ink.
A horrible-looking Indian is made of
a Eg and raisins. The fig is pressed into
a semblance of face, and black beads
sewed on for eyes; feathers are stuck
In at the top; and, at the bottom,
piece of pasteboard is inserted for
body; the arms and legs are of raisins
strung on wire. A red blanket, strings
of beads, a bottle of whisky, and lock
OF hair in lieu of scalp, complete the
costume of this interesting specimen.
A fat raisin and half-dozen cloves
are the materials from which to con-
.truct life-like turtle.
A drove of pigs fit for the markets of
Porkopolis can be make of dozen or
two of lemons. A few bristles are stuck
into the pointed end of each; four
pieces of matches form the legs: and
the curling tail is the rind cut round
and round for little way.
"The bachelors secret" is a small
mitten inclosed in case of cardboard,
and not visible unless held to the light.
A pocket for court-plaster is likewise
made of cardboard, and lettered 81
heal all wounds, save those of love-"
On the opposite side cat should be
worked.
A pair of dainty scales can be made
to swing from a oss-piece, bearing
the words "The secret of modern love.n
In one scale is heart, and in the other
a small coin. 1t is needless to say
which is mightier of the two.
4 variety of kitchen-holders can be
made with covers of canvas, and having
"I If B mt put -; "If B putting :,"and
other such enigmas, upon them.
Shadow pictures are always amusing
to the little people, and strange,
CHASTITY face can be made with the hand
by doubling up the fist, putting a couple
of shoe-buttons for eyes between the
first and second fingers, and letting the
thumb protrude from between the
second and third. A white handker-
chief is folded lightly around the hand.
Sisters of Charity are cut in a single
piece of white paper; but one can
scarcely tell how it is done without an
Chicago Tribune.