Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-20
CaRIsTMAS ADORNMENT FOE rHEl
DWELLING.
BY MRS. c. s. JONES.
IGeynaanto,cn Heleoraph.l

tGe1naantOlcn Teiegrdph.l
We can scarcely realize that the Christmas
season Is really here, in the absence OF the ever
green decorations that have now become so
popular-"the pine tree. the fir tree and the box
together".whch. according to Scripture, are
Ito Deaut1fy the place OF my sanctuary" The
custom OF adjoining with evergreens is not only
ths mentioned in Scripture, but dates back
1000 years, to the festivities held during the
Saturnalia, which continued during the last
week In December, and was sustained with
much pomp and display, the public halls being
adorned with elaborate dressings of eyergreens.
In the olden time in this country, the Christ
mas decorations OF the churches consisted OF
Spr1g OF evergreen stuck into gimlet hole
bored in the back of the pews where they in
tersected, and few larger branches In con-
| spicuous places about the pulpit. But during
| the past half century vast improvement has
churches, but the dwellings of most tasteful
persons, are beautified more less for the feS-
tivttfes OF the holiday week. 1t is with the hope
| OF melting those who have not heretofore felt
| interested in thus adding to the joys OF this
most happy season, by imparting fresh beauty
| to the sweet home.n around the hearth-stone
| OF which young and old are then gathered that
| the following suggestions are offered:
Where the Christmas decorations are carried
| to any extent, the week previous to Christmas
| day is busy season and filled with mirth and
gladLeSS, as the Ladies and children during the
| long evenings with busy fingers cut sprays OF
| pin cedar, box and hemlock twlne cordonS
and wreaths cut the brilliant colored papers for
| chains, make Ivy ribbon, and carry on the many
| other preliminary operations necessary to ac-
| comp lish the imposing result at the last. ami
with view to aiding those heretofore uninter-
| eSted In Christmas decoration and not well-ac-
| quail ted with this class OF work, we offer the
| folloNfn ing hints and suggestions; for to make
| pretty designs and effective displays with the
materials brought into requiSition for this pur-
pose requires good taste, practice, artistic Skill
| in applying them, and general knowledge OF
their particular adaptability for certain pur-
Many persons in our large cities and towns
depend entirely upon the various elegant mate
rails now sold in the stores for the different
ornamental purposes, such as lettering, forming
| devices, &C.. as also the evergreen cordonS,
chapletS, crosses, &C., made and sold in immense
Quantities during the weeks preceding Christ
mas, many country people preparing and sell
ing evergreens by the barrel. 1t Is to those
unable to purchase the ready made decora-
lions, however. that we especially address this
article.
In America the evergreens OF particular local
tiles are used for these decorative purposes,
thus in some places cedar, laurel and pine are
found In vast quantities, while in others but
few OF this class OF trees grow naturally, and
the ornamental trees OF the lawn and park must
be 'rifled' In order to obtain materials for the
Christmas dressing.
Garlands, cOrdonS rods and strips for frames
are best made by tying sprays Of the green upon
ropes, cords and strips or rods of wood, as the
case may be. II to loop or feSt0On, flexible ma
terial is needed; but for any stiff purpose, the
common lathe, hazel branches and canes answer
admirably. The materials used include ever
green's OF every variety, everlasting flowers.
pressed FERNS dried grasses, colored and gold
paper, and various materials for special decora-
tive designs, such as rice, sealing wax, raw
cotton, &C. Scarlet, yellow, black and purple
berries also prove very effective in certain con-
nections and where decided points Of color are
required.
In scme sections Of this country the beautiful
mistletoe is found in considerable quantities,
and must prove invaluable in house-dressing
for the Christmas feast; but generally we must
spruce, laurel and lycopOdium called aground
pine" which is frequently taken from beneath
the deep snow as beautifully fresh and green as
the young moss in spring time; this when OBJ
tainable is the most exquisite evergreen that
can be used. Myrtle and box are also pretty
for narrow edgings and similar purposes. Ca
can be obtained will greatly heighten the gene
raj effect and render the decoration more ele-
CANT and unique. For the banisters, pillars
pedestals, &C., cordons on rope, the size OF
various sizes by tying punches Of evergreen
around with fine Irvine. In these, as also In
making wreaths, the thickness must be care
fully maintained throughout as also that all the
fol1age turns In one direction; and II the finer
kinds OF green are mixed through carefully
light, sprayey appearance will be given.
Where holly can be obtained, lovely cord can
be made by threading the curled, stiff leaves
through the center. When the brilliant berries
Of the Bitter-sweet, Econymous, (or burning
bush), &C., can be secured in the early autumn
they prove charming addition. as also rose
hips, especially from the wild brier the single
ones OF which should be strung on slender wire.
u XII
baked dough Or putty, and rolling into oval OF
round balls, insert wire STEMS then dip into
co color wax or sealing wax melted In alcohol.
Split-peas are very effective glued upon circular
cards, one upon another, until full golden col
ored rosettes are formed.
Flat borderiDgs to define the panels OF cab'-
nets, doOrways, mirror and picture frames and
similar fiat objects, are best made b. sewing
small sprigs and single leaves upon narro.s
strips OF stih muslin or feltfng paper seWei O..
glued together In required lengths
WreatlS. claDlptS and gariaDlS are nicely
formed on hoops of various sizes, and se,pcn-
tine trimming for bordering, &C, is be ,utifully
accordingly, a single nail or tack holding each
section.
In making letters and various devices, crino-
line wires are admirable bending readily to an
shape. Charming letters for shields, banners.
&C., to place over doorways and in large spaces
are made OF pasteboard firmly glued down, after
with thick boiled paste made OF glue water ami
flour, applied hot; the whitest rice is dropped
upon 1t, and the grains arranged to lie tlatly
upon it. When dry it has the appearance Vi
richly carved ivory. and is one or the most
striking decorations possible. Corn, the halves
OF peach-ptts and peanut shells treated in the
appearance.
in using rice, sage, taploca, and other small
granular materials after the first coat has dried
paint the surface with fine clear mucilage AMI
again cover with the grains, repeating until
heavily coated. When finished remove super
huous grains with pointed instrument, then
ink or Japan varnish, roughly applied with
sash brush OF suitable size Alternate letters OF
white and scarlet give gag and fanciful ap-
pearance.
Monograms, texts, notices, &C., male OF
pasteboard covered with pure, white, raw cot
ton, are exquisite. The glazed side of the COT
ton is gummed to the white card, and when
dry, the soft part is picked out, until a fluffy,
Snow-like appearance is obtained, which Is eX-
tremely pretty. The letters must be finally
carefully trimmed and mounted upon colorei
ground. Scrolls with notices as merry Chris,-
mas and Happy New Year." 'Welcome" &C..
In such letters, are very appropriate AMI
striking.
Even the chambers may have picture and
mirror frames edged with green, and hoop OF
green over which colored muslin has first been
sewed may contain an imposing monogram or
name. Chandeliers look well II twined with
slender corGonS Of green and scarlet with a
chaplet at the base suspended by three similar
cords, more or less full and long according to
size; then four very short ones below, united |
and moss basket filled with flowers or mistIe-
toe suspended from the point OF union. Fes-
toons around walls or across the room should |
have chaplets at each point, appearing to unite
the feStOons, Plain wooden brackets, covered
with ivy or other evergreens, form charming
wall ornaments for holding vases Of flowers &C |
Another effective mural decoration consists OF
shields with devices or mosaic designs formed |
by covering shaped board with clay or putty
upon which while plastic innumerable colors |
aIe arranged. consisting of the hpautif,il MANY