St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-12-13

their opinions.
~
And even when one is endeavoring to make
$40 do the work of S25, tine Christmas shop
ping is not half so puzzling as it is anus
ing. Prepare your lists carefully, allowing
all exact sum for each name, you will be
surprised at the resources of our shops. and
to find how many dainty little trities that &C
far towards identifying room, can be
picked up for mere song. For the chill
dren, especially, there are books and toys
in endless variety, and it generally happens
that the less expensive gift the more pleas
ure it affords the youngsters. Judg-
ment and good sense, with q
more satisfactory than heavy purse with
he really wants, and if it only cost cents,
he will be grateful; whereas, the most
costly of gifts, if it is something he doesn't
care for. will not greatly excite his admira-
ton of your wisdom. Don't give school
girl who is longing for pair of Rhine
stone earrings an embroidered foot-stool;
don't buy the housewife, who would be de-
lighted with a bit of china, Ruskin bound
In half-calf; and don't bestow upon the
urchin who wants pocket-knife a Russia
leather portfolio.
~
1t must be confessed, however. that the
selection or presents for gentlemen is task
fraught with considerable difficulty. A
masculine friend OF mine says, eff man
has any sense give him pocket handker-
chief or book; if he hasn't any sense, give
him bottle Of perfumery;" but all of his
sex are not so practically disposed, and
have known of gentlemen who were i'm
mensely delighted with embroidered hat
bands and crowns, and who didn't regard
knitted purses in the light of unmitigated
nuisances. Hand knitted silken hose
make charming gifts, and this form
of industry is decidedly to be encour-
aged among our young ladies
The most unique Christmas present
that ever knew made by a girl to young
man consisted of pair of night-shrts; one
was ruffled, the other trimmed with en-
broidery. and both had pockets with en-
broidered monograms and were beautifully
laundried. The recipient was popular
society man. and the young ladies Just
showered fancy articles upon him; but the
silken suspenders and the smoking-caps.
and the shaving-cases, ct cetera, were
quietly deposited OH the top shelf
of the closet, while the night
shirts were worn and appreciated. There's
hint for you, girls. The boys will never
know that the SeamStress made them, and
will admire the work of your fair fingers
and wonder at your cleverness and good
sense.
49,
But, boys! Just a word in regard to
Christmas cards. If you want to buy some
thing for girl, and want to spend only 10
or Is cents, invest in card. 1t will be right
pretty and she will like it. But if you are
going to spend SIS or Sc. for goodness sake,
don't get one of those fringed and scented
and painted and padded monstrosities
that are now being exhibited in
the shop windows! Buy book, buy good
photograph, buy tatfy OF chewing gum. buy
something, anything, that will be capable
of affording little genuine, lasting enjoy
ment. What, pray, does a young woman
want of nine or ten hundred Christmas
cards, even if they are pretty? Anyhow, [
know lots of girls who have solemnly vowed
to cut the acquaintance of the first man
who, this year perpetrates one of those
''chestnuts.'
~
Strange, but true. that woman, though
she may at first look black, can always
manage to forgive man for stepping upon
her train, while she regards the same
offense in another woman as objectionable.
LADY RAMBLER.