The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1889-11-14
Christmas Forethoueht

TO select presents for fathers and broth.
ers. Two years ago. a certain Young
woman (this by way of reminiscence) )
falled to find anything she thought suit
able for her brother, But after much
perplexity coffee cup and saucer, daint-
lily decorated, was selected, and it We.
gratefully used at about three hundr, d
and sixty breakfasts during the following
year. The next year cut-glass salt-cel-
lar and pepper-box were given. Besides
these and similar articles, one might try
canvas or linen slipper-cases. made to
hang against The wall, inkstands ard
other articles for desks silver matchbox
es, razors (for which the traditional pen
ny should be exacted), shaving glasses.
cases OF shaving-paper, or, that always
welcome friend, silk muller. A cast
for carrying collars and cuffs when tray
cling. Is useful present for many. The
outside may be OF any material u. ailablc
and the lining should be of silk: but a
still interlining og buckram should he in-
serted. In short, make it like mueic
roll, but not so wide, and fasten t with
fancy leather strap and buckle. Decor
ate the outside with some pretty device
the Initials or monogram OF the prospec-
tive owner.
shall make no further suggestions of
articles especially suitable for the stern.
er sex, but among the presents which Will
DO equally well for either father or moth
er' o"other or sister, may he mentioned
umbaellas, umbrella. cases, chairs OF more
or less elaborate workmanship, from the
pretty wicker or rattan chair to those
which are profusely carved or richly up
holstered; opera glasses, gloves, hanGker
chiefs, and handkerchief cases, gold pen
CHS. fountain pens, card-cases, napkin
rings, and books.
Many of the large publishing houses
keep on sale pictures of authors. Tween
ty-flve cents will buy the portrait of al
most any well-known author These are
usually wood-engravngs and excellent of
their kind, well printed, on good paper,
In size about ten by twelve inches For
the same picture on Indian paper (Which
OF course. IL mere durable and admits eff
liner impression) one dollar may be ask
ed, and the extra money will be well
spent neatly framed portrait of the
favoritc author of a friend will make a
charming gift at but small cost.
Many make 1t practice to subscibe to
some favorite magazine or paper, as a
Christmas gift; and those who wish to
confer an ever new pleasure may well
bear this in mind. With so many capital
publications, devoted to all imaginable
tastes and pursuits, a choice will not be
difficult. Children, especially, enjoy re-
cciving their own papers and magazines
and present of this kind can, by pay
ment far from large, be guaranteed to
last one year-a surety which can never
be furnished with any toy, no matter how
expensive or durable.
The mothers-the house keepers--are
the easiest to cater for at this season of
puzzled shoppers, There are hundreds
OF dainty articles which the true home
maker Will welcome. Anything to beau
lily the home can hardly fail to please
silver, china, articles of cut-glass, or
choice napery for the table, a japanese
umbrella-stand, workbasket pretty fit
ted up, and with perhaps a silver or gold
thlmble In its onw little pocket, n linen
scarf for the sdeboard embroidered oI
finished with 'drawn work" a shopping
bag, or embroidered scarfs of the prett,
China silks now so much used In decor,
alton. Other gifts might be vinaicrettes
silver glove buttoners, crocheted slippers
dainty aprons, ivory brushes and combs,
stationery, pocket-books, csrd-cases or
address books In presenting any OF the
latter gifts 1t will show an added thought
fitness on the part of the giver to have
the name, or at least the initials, of the
recipient printed in gilt letters on the ar
ticle, II 1t be of leather. The added cost
of this work is very tlihing. In the
same way the value of box of staff,
airy is much enhanced If the giver has had
the address Of the recipient stamped upon
ha of I b..