The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1889-12-25


cember be to rs all were Il not for shede-
lightful task Of planting end sdcrning
Christmas trees-the trees which are Of
more interest in the household than any
that ever grew besides its doors.
is wellfo select tree that has
regular cone from base to summit and IS
of the proper height for your purpose,
and op off any branches that may inter
fere with its beauty and while selecting
the tree you can also buy quantities Of
holly and ivy and mistlet0e and laurel
leaves, wherewith to make garlands and
crowns and wreaths for sdorning the
halls, parlors and dining-room.
Plant your tree in . small wash-tub
filed in with brickbais or paving stones,
or anything that is heavy and will keep
it in place, and cover over the tub with
a gayly striped flag, and upon this base
many Of the larger articles. such as books
desks, etc, can be arranged.
Those Of our readers who are the fortu-
nate possessors of long purse can pur-
chase at the fancy shops every imagina-
bic device for decorating most artistical-
ly and beautifally-such as silver doves
or stuffed doves. colored glass balls, flags
of every kind, gilded stars, tiny looking
glasses that, if suspended behind the can
dies, will reflect their light ami make it
twice as bright; bells, woody lambs and
bon bons Of every description while in
the toy shops are whole regiments Of
doll, from the most elegant Partisan bellies
to the knitted sailor boy, for the baby.
and vast caravans Of animals and Noah's
arks. and tops that surpass description.
But in some village homes all these ar
ticles are not obiainable. yet the chill
dren can manufacture many beautiful
decorations for the Christmas tree, in
which they will take quite as much
! pleasure as ifthey were from the fancy
shops Of the city.
With a few sheets Of gilt, blue, scarlet,
and silver paper cut into tiny grips four
inches in length and half an inch in
width, you can make long chains to en-
twine from bough to bough ofthe tree.
With bottle Of mucilsge, paste the
two ends of be strips together until
half Of theIl are made into rings; then
make up some more by slipping one end
through two rings and join them togeth-
er Let the three rings become dry, and
join them into long garIands. Suspend
around the outer branches Of the tree
from top to bottom. Twenty yards will
be needed 20 trim a large tree, twelve for
small one
These paper chains when once made
can be kept for years If carefully handled
Get lot Of red berries and string them
into chains with needle and coarse
thread. Entwine them also about tbs
branches, and after the presents are dis
trihuted break up the chains into neck
laees and throw around the necks Of al
the guests.
II you possess a broken looking-glasl
carry it to glazier and have il cut int
bits three inches by two. Paste bit o.
brown paper over the back Of the glass
and bind the edges with strips Of gilt ol
scarlet and blue papers, and paste a BIZ
of ribbon or paper at the top to suspend
them from the bouQhs. You cannot have
too many tiny mirrors.
Purchase pound or two Of large wal
nuts, cut them into halves and take out
the meats. Save them to put into the
middle Of each small frosted cake
Purchase also pound Of sugared cara
ways, and fill half of one ofthe nutshell.
with them, and paste on the other half
Use common glue or gum tragaeanth fol
paste.
Insert bit Of narrow ribbon in any
color at the top Of the nut. Cut small
round or gilt paper and cover it with
and wrap it carefully about.the nut, let
ting the folds OF it lie evenly about the
bit Of ribbon.
Make as many as you can Of these, fol
they are the prettiest Of rattle boxes, and
everybody likes to possers such a trophy
Little lace bags made Of boboinet lacs
or Eash-illusion, by runningthem togeth
er with scarlet, blue, and sold-eoloreC
worsteds, and using bit Of II for string
to draw them together, ara also very
pretty and desirable when filed viii
nuts, raisins, and sugar-plurns for tn,
children.
Small apples closely stuck with cloves
are also nice to perfume bureau drawers
and dozen or more viii not come smis,
upon this most wonderful tree.
A Cbrist-child or angel, made by dress
ing doll in lace and silver wings, il
very decorative when fastened to the
tOpmost bough of the tree.
Small candles with bit Of wire thrus,
through the lower end by heating it car
thus be fastened securely to the boughi
of the tree.
Cut rirgs Of cardboard and slip over
the candles, and they will catch their
drippings Apples and oranges can also
be suspended with thread wire.
Other little inventions and contrivances
are sure to be bit upon by young and old
during the time Of inyestingth the tree with
its pretty adornmenf, and ia the end 8
dazzling picture isniade when, on Christ
mas night, the eolored candles are light
ed, and the eager, happy children gather
around to claim their long promised
gifts, and to distribute their own Christ