The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-12-19
Christmas Hints.
(Exchange.l

In every household We would strongly
urge Christmas decorations. There is much
pleasure in united home work. Where all
are interested and busy there is sure to be
happiness. We always trim with fir or hem
lock- For some things the double fir-we
call il so-is lovely. Cedar and the trailing
evergreen are pretty when they are first ar
ranged, but soon look dry and faded, while
the hemlock will remain bright and glossy as
long as We care for it, giving us no trouble
about shedding its leaves.
We make sure of our branches, or trees,
some two weeks before Christmas. The first
thoroughly stormy evening-enough so to
secure us from interruptions-we take our
miniature forest into the kitchen. Does
Bridget care? Not she, indeed The enthus-
iasm is contagious, and she works with the
rest of us. She with some of the children,
snip the pieces of hemlock for more deft fin
gers TO arrange. We cut the pieces for trim
ming about a quarter of yard long; that
gives us good end, and tiny branch on
either side. We commence with one of these
pieces, holding the stem. the foliage hanging
down then we place another piece upon
that, making it look like vine as much as
possible. We need yards of trimming made
in like manner, securing each twig by wind
ing firmly with cotton yarn. In festooning
the trimming over an arch we
should use two separate pieces making each
seem to grow towards the center. The ends
require a twig of hemlock tied on, hanging
down TO give them a finish. We must loop
the evergreen over the doors and windows.
Where the dark green trimming falls among
our plants at the south windows the effect is
lovely. This yine-like trimming is psrticu-
larly attractive in the evening, when the
shadows are reflected upon the walls, giving
the appearance of vines creeping all around
the room. Over some of the pic
lures we would suggest bow-knot OF ever
green's with long ends over and under
others a cross, a dove or basket of flowers.
Sadly and lovingly we Irvine wreaths of
evergreen, intermixed with clusters of Bit
tersweet around the pictures OF some
sweet dear faces who are with us now
only in sweet memories. If we have
house plants, deep dish filled with
MOSES, ferns, and other plants autumn
leaves pinned here and there, WIS a bou-
quet OF natural fresh flowers, our home
will then present very attractive appear.
ance.
The works gives pleasure in itself. 1t
makes the home seem CHEEKY and home
like. Any such work of mutual interest
Strengthens the home love. 1t makes hap
pier and better children, as well as truer,
more devoted parents. Let celebrate our
anniversaries by making them fruitful of
much good. Let us enlarge our sympathies,
en- bracing some of our kindly membranes
outside cur family friends. We should edu-
cafe our children to be willing co-workers.
The boys should be encouraged to make lit
tie brackets and crosses, covering them with
beautiful moses. Making wax leaves, dress
ing dolls, and such other work as mothers
can suggest must busy the hands and hearts
of our little girls. How many ways there
are to interest children and exert lasting
influence upon their characters for good. to-
gether with imparting present enjoyment, if
the mother realizes her work.