The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1884-12-26
THE HANDY HOUSEWIFE.
HOW SHE PROVIDES ORNAMENTS FOR THE CHRIST
MAS TREE-cANDLEs, PoP-coRSANp CANDY.

A Christmas tree may be prettily trimmed at
very little expense. OF course it is best to get
q good tree. Not necessarily large but with
branches close together, and of as conical
shape as possible. A box of candles, more
than sufficient to allow one for each branch,
can be bought for ten cents, and nice little tin
holders, ready to pin on the tree, for five
cents dozen. About three or four dozen will
be needed. The next thing to think OF is the
popcorn. A five-cent cob will make a large
quantity. To pop it have very hot fire, put
the corn in good, large pan, if you have not
pepper, and shake over the fire until popped,
taking great care not to burn. Have ready d
cup of water in which little maple syrup or
molasses and sugar have been mixed. Sprinkle
a little OF this over the corn and pour it on
large dish. Then take strong thread and
very long needle and string yards of the pop
corn. This ID very effective, and should be
draped Enthusiastically over the tree in every
direction. Some people, however, prefer to
use raw cotton, as it more closely resembles
snow.
After trimming your tree with the popcorn
and candles the next thing will be candy.
Bright coored sticks and canes, baskets and
chocolate rats put on by the tail are the best
| and cheapest to get Put them on with odds
and ends of bright-colored ribbons and bits of
silk, which will heighten the effect. OF course
few wax balls of green and crimson make
the tree look prettier, and as many may be put
on as desired, although there is such thing
as having too much on a tree. The green
should predominant. The children's stock
ings should be hung up in the same room in
which the tree is to be placed and their pres
ents grouped about the foot Of the tree. For
81 or Sl.50 very handsome tree all decorated
can be had.
Always dress your little girls doll. Nothing
will make her more sad than TO receive doll
attired in q night-dress. II you have not some
kind young lady friend who will undertake
the Job, do it yourself. Hunt up one Of the
baby's old embroidered pettcoats and in half
an hour you can turn it into beautiful white
dress for dolly. Then make her d Jacket and
muff out of piece of velvet or cloth, and a
tiny little princess bonnet or hat, with small
piece of an ostrich tip for the plume. little
handkerchief and tiny hair-brush and comb,
which costs only ten cents, will greatly delight
the little girl.
If you cannot afford to buy beadstead for
the doll, you can easily make one at home
Get an old cigar box, or a larger box if you
can, and after removing the cover nail on the
bottom four empty spools all of the same size,
These will do for the legs. Then take the cover
and saw off one-third. Take the two-thirds,
round the two top ends and nail the bottom on
to the box for the head of the beadstead. Take
| the other third and tack on to the bottom and
| you will have very pretty bedstead. Cover
with q coating of paint If you have it, if not,
varnish with shellac. Then make a little mat
tress, bolster and pillows, with sheets, blankets
| and spreads.
very pretty trunk for Dolly's clothes can
be made out OF pasteboard box, by covering
it with red Turkey cloth or piece Of plush or
velvet.-N. Y. Journal.