The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1889-12-26
Christmas Decorations.

The decorations for the Christmas
festivities should be, especially in the
churches, typical and representative Of
the divine love and mercy aud good
ness, which made itself manifest in
human form upon the earth in order
to draw US back to the lost paths Of
righteousness, love and peace.
The evergreens, which retain their
greenncss through all the changes and
seasons, are therefore naturally the
best foundations for decorative pur-
poses. All kinds of evergreen are used; :;
most common among them are the
ever present holly, the bay and laurel.
typifying peace and victory; the lau-
restines, which signifies immortality.
and, when procurable, the rosemary in
token of remembrance Ivy some
times used, but many reject it because
it was always bound above the brows
of Bacchus and was always found as
the essential element in the decorations
of the Bacchanalian revels; but it has
also the signification, ''everla.ting life,"
and as an emblem of these it may be
introduced on any, even the most sa-
cred, occasion. Mistletoe is, l believe,
quite universally excluded from the
church on account of its inseparable
association with the rights of the
Druids.
Evergreen crosses are generally con-
structed upon frame work of wood;
for flower crosses there are tin frames,
| ,1,t,. al, 70 Io1f RI
thus better preserve the freshness Of
the blossoms. For screens and chancel
work wooden frames are generally used,
and these also are kept from festival to
festival, so as to be always ready for
use. Stars, Wreaths, triangles, crosses,
anchors, &c, are all appropriate for the
church, and decorated texts and scrolls
Of suitable inscriptions always form 4
part Of the decorative work. Masses Of
greenery and banks of flowers look we'll
about the pulpit; but care should he
exercised in placing these that no
prickly branches shall be where the
officiating clergyman might touch
them and wound bis hand Great care
should also be taken that the decora-
{ tions about the gas brackets or candel-
abra are so placed that there can be no
danger of fire.
In the home the expression Of indi-
vidual tastes and lighter fancics may
find fuller and freer expression. The
same decorative plants are used, with
the addition Of sport-producing mistle-
toe and more varied and brighter col
ored blossoms-for pure white, the
type OF innocence, purity and holiness,
appear more appropriate for the sane
tuary.
In many homes, as we'll as in many
churches or Sunday-school rooms, the
Christmas tree is very important and
enjoyable part of the Christmas festivi-
ties. A simple evergreen branch, with
two or three bits of candle, few bright
papers or cards, perhaps an apple or
two and few cakes, or possibly stray
candies, often, doubt not, waken
feeling of perfect delight in the hearts
Of thuse little ones whose daily life
sees scarcely any brightness. which is
unknown to those who are accustomed
to having elaborate and costly Christ
mas trees and gifts. Yet to all the
pleasure is very great an unmistakable;
and the history and meaning Of Christ
mas TO the follower of Christ should
never be allowed to be lost sight of.
The foliage of Christmas tree may
be brushed here and there with mucil-
age, then sprinkle common salt upon
it, and very pleasing result is attained.
A very pretty drapery for the tree is
made by cutting long strips, about four
inches wide, of tissue paper, then cut
ting it closely partly, but not entirely,
across the width, making friuges; if the
strips then be dampened and held over
hot stove the fringed edges will curl
and make it quite ornamental: Strings
of cranberries and Of popcorn are also
much and effectively used for this pur-
pose, as well as chains Of gold and sill
yer paper, tinsel and chains made Of
little intertwined rings Of different
bright colored paper Pine cones var
nished and sprinkled with salt, or
bronZed, are very ornamental; while
nuts wrapped in tinfoil or gold paper,
and empty egg shells adorned with de-
calcomanie pictures, tiny balloons, bird
cages, coaches, stars, etc, may be made
of stiff paper and covered with some
that is guilt, silver or bright colored,
are all easily made, aed have bright
ly decorative erect.
Little socks, or hearts, or other fancy
receptacles can be made Of mosquito
netting and filled with candy, to the
delight of all little people; and bright
calds, books or pictures are really pret-
ty additions.
Notices may he made Of white cot
ton wool. The letters being first cut
out of cardboard, to which the wool is
glued. By pulling up the wool a little
fastened uDOn n dark background.