The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-12-18
HOLIDAY PLANS,
Preparations for the Approaching
Christmas Festivals.
CLUBS, CH0IRS AND TREES.
A Bright Outlook for n Happy Sea-
son-Lively Trade and Energetic
Workers-The Arrangements in the
Schools and Churches.

II is exactly ono week before Christmas and
the arrangements for tho holiday are far al.
yanced. Tho merchants and citizens generally
are awakening to tho fact that the political
ovente OF November Will have no material
effect upon tho Christmas preparations ana
purchases. Washington stores and saIos.
rooms have never been better stocked with
Christmas goods than they are at present
Every indication points to bright Christmas
In Washington.
Tho orders 70 Christmas trees are un.
usually extensive and the woods OF the sur
rounding country arc being secured by those
who mako It their Christmas occupation u
procure trees for sale at the markets, and
many towering md spreadln pluos
and cedars have been marked for the
local market, while the commission merchants
ana others VINO supply trees on moro whole.
sale and buslnoss-iike principles have con.
cluded their contracts for supplies from the
white pine forests OF North Carolina, and the
copses OF Maryland and Virginia, while many
or tho more costly trees Will como oil tho way
from Maine, and supplemented by holly trees,
branches ana berries from the woods of the
The Christmas clubs are In full and active
operation, Tar stronger In point OF numbers
man tnoy wore year ago, and very earnest
Tho clubs organized in nearly every sub.
division OF tho city have enrolled prominent
citizens among their patrons and large pro.
portion OF the children OF the neighborhood
among their members. The Georgetown club
was organized last evening under the most
favorable auspices.
F. L. Moore was chosen president, G. L.
Matthews and J. II. Mitchell, vlce-presldonts;
Niles Bertha Mitchell, secretary; W. p. May.
Held, treasurer. The finance committee was
formed as follows Hon. Josiah Dent, W. A.
Gordon, John Marbury, Ir, George T. Dunlop,
j. G.. Waters, W. n. wheatley, w. W. Curtis,
Austin Herr, NJ. J. Adler, Archibald Greenless
and j. II. Weston. Tho committee on supplies
ia as follows: ]. II. Mitchell, ]. II. Gordon, q,
u. Matthew'S, j., NJ, Waters, Benjamin Miller,
II, Mrs. II, D; Cooke, Mrs, "; z. wheatley,
l.. Dunlop, Mrs. frances Bates, Mrs. j. L.
Owens, Rev. Francis Tagg and Jesse Wilson.
The committee on Invitations is composed of
Mrs. g; NJ. Matthews, Mrs.E. d; Hartley, Miss
Alice Sawyer, Miss Claudia Il. Stuart, Miss
Nina Bradley, Miss NJ. A. Riley, Miss Jennie
Gardner, Bernard Jarmey and J. H. Wilson.
The decorations will be In charge OF Miss
Mattie Dodge, Mrs. II. W. Downman, Mrs.
John Magruder, Mrs. II. l.. Moore, Mrs. DR..
A; Peter, Mrs. q. v. Hayden, Mrs. Mayhem
Plater, Mrs. John MCGOWAN aud Mrs. II. W.
Fisher.
1t was decided to give the dinner In tho
Curtis School building on tho 3Ist Instant, AT
O'Clock. The clubs are trying to rival each
other In unique and original features. The
Christmas trees Will be handsomely and taste
fully dressed. Santa Claus will DO personated
at several OF the clubs, and ali viii give a
royal feast TO the poor little children who are
TO be the guests.
Thechurches and Sunday. schooIe are max.
Ing extensive Christmas preparations. Dur
Ing tho present week meetings have boon
held at almost every church, and committees
on decorations, presents, candy and Christmas
These committees are energetically at work.
Tho day for the Sunday-school celebration
varies from Christmas eve to the following
Saturday.
The children have been for several Sundays
engaged In practicing the Christmas carols
and the church choirs are rehearsing the
Christmas music.
The Government departments Will follow
the same rule in regard 10 holidays as was
observed last year.
Tho public schools Will follow their uniform
custom as to holidays and observations. The
schoolrooms will DO frightened byt he Christ
mas emblems and designs thnf<he pupils can
be the usual ED rciseaa}
tour throu1 "a tAG1hsiness streets presents
most attractv The windows arerssil
pretty pres4 Band the Sidewalks f8hged
with shoppers -rsHsSa