The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1881-12-23
HOLIDAY GIFTS.

The advent of the holiday season rem
ders the subject of gifts one Of special
prominence in thousands of households,
since the custom of bestowing some little
present, however humble. upon the
members of the family. is well-nigh
universal among civilized nations.
Materials for many economical and
tasteful gifts can he gathered from the
fields and woods, and you cannot begin
to make your collections too early In the
season.
Scarcely anything will come amiss-
MOSES, ferns, acOrns, leaves, cones,
shells, lichen-bark, sea-mosses, ETC., etc.
From birch-bark a great number Of
useful as well rs ornamental presents
can be made, such as wall-pockets,
holders for rhaving-paper. pockets for
whisk-brOoms, card-baskets, napkin
rings, etc.
A pretty set of table-mats can be
made by weaving the dark and light
shades of bark together, and edging off
with moss or fluffy worsted fringe.
Last year l made IA pair of vases of
birch-bark. cutting four shapes, and q
bottom piece for the stand, tying the
edges together with ribbon-loOps, and
"pinking' the bark at the top. The
face was ornamented with pressed
ferns, glued on, and when finished l
filled each vase with bright autumn
leaves.
Covers for flower-pots can be made
in the same manner, with the exception
Of the bottom piece, which of course is
not needed. The bark will bear split
ting many times when it is desirable to
have it thin.
Wall-pockets for music, letters, cards
or newspapers are tasteful and useful,
and easily made. There is wide range
Of material from which to choose
cardboard, perforated board, in white,
gold, blue, silver and birch-bark.
have also seen very pretty wall
pockets made from the large, square
Observation-Disclosures, which merchants
are quite willing to part with when
empty. When the board or bark is to
be cut, one can choose any pattern
which pleases the eye.
Those who understand "spatter-
work" can ornament plain white card
board to great advantage. A tastefully
arranged group Of ferns gives, perhaps,
more satisfaction to the "spatterer'
than cluster of leaves
The ferns should be fastened on the
cardboard with small pins, at every
point, until the whole lies perfectly flat.
Prepare in a saucer some India ink,
moderately liquid; dip into it an old
toothbrush, and cause it to spatter, by
drawing it across the teeth of comb.
If the ink is just right, the spatters
will be very fine and light; if too liquid,
they will be large and unequal. Begin
scattering at the center of the group,
making it darker just about the ferns
by successive applications.
The same kind of Ornamentation up
on linen, with indelible ink, is pretty
for tides, toilet-sets, protectors for the
washstand and pin-cushion covers.
inexpensive hanging-baskets can be
made by covering gOblets from which
the stands have been broken, with a
little net of crocheted worsted, gathered
with cord at the bottom, and hung up
with cords from the top.
A piece of pasteboard run about the
top of the cover renders it firmer. Wan
dering Jew, or Inch plant, win grow
finely in these goblets, if they are kept
full of water.
For court-plaster case, take two
pieces Of white cardboard, four by three
inches; work simple pattern around
the edge of each with split zephyr or
colored silk; put the initials Of tho one
who is to receive it on one side, and on
the other, work in small letters, II heal
all wounds save those of love-" or;
"If pin or knife should thee offend
This little case relief will lend"
Bind together the two sides and one
end with narrow ribbon, or overcast
them with worsted or silk. Attach
loops Of ribbon to the top, so that it may
be hung on the bureau or gas-pipe.
To fill it, take two visiting cards Of
the same size, put colored and white
court plaster between them, cut . hole
through them all on one side, and tie
with narrow piece of ribbon to fasten
them, letting loop hang out. Slip
this into the case.
Very pretty baskets can be made
from the crowns OF old straw hats.
Bind the edge of the crown with rib
bons of any shade you like, or line the
whole as you would q hat. Work q
stem on one side of green worsted, cut,
from,red or green flannel, number Of
leaves, and sew them on the stem,
working little tendrilpf q contrasting
color in the centre Of each.
Press the crown together 30 that fat
side will hang against the wall. Put on