New-York tribune., 1889-12-22
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS.
FLOWERS, BoNBoN BOXES AND CANDLE

STICKS
The rainy months Of autumn have been grca
obstacle to the forcing Of flowers and have kept bac
| many blossoms intended for the holidays
| Blooming plants are In special favor at presen
| for dinner decorations well as for holiday gits
The different shades OF Cyclamens which range tro"
a blossom Of snowy whteness through all the shade
Of rose coral. are sought and there are also Dutcl
tulips, lilies OF the valley and lacs grown In pot
which are arranged in gded baskets and decorated
with mstIetoe and holly. Small holly trees VIII
berries are imported from England, where they arr
very much used for Christmas dinner decorauons
The leaves of these trees partly crystainzed'
give the effect OF snow.
There is large demand this season for white
flowers at dinner. combination OF snowy Bnd'
roses lilies of the valley and white lllacs wltf
maiden hair ferns are arranged fine white table sci
with crystal and silver, and lighted by candclaora
holding white candles with white SILK SHADES
decoration suitable for the Christmas table cohsiso
OF red tulips holly ponsettas and mstletoc arranged
in the centre OF the table, the dinner favors are ,
small Roman wreaths Of holly and berries, with ms
tetoe, each tied with cluster OF narro" riooo 'e
color Of the mistletoe.
Orchids still remain the choicest flowers for decora
ton Those showing the least color are most sought
after The white and lavender phaloenopss or the
catteyas the same coors arranged with vaenses
fern, the choicest and most expensive decoratlon'
With such decorations the cOrsage bouquets should DC
of the same orchids.
There have been very few dinner favors CONSISTING
OF lunches of roses in the last few years but the
fashion Is coming back. They are arranged so aS |"
from basket which is taken apart after dinner, the
roses beinc presented to the guests Compact stfiy
arranged bouquets arc entirely out Of date. IL Is
the fashion this season TO carry loose bunch OF
flowers arranged with their own foliage and TIED WIN
very wide ribbon. Loose bunches OF the cholcest
roses lilies Of the valley and violets are IN faVor
as gifts at the Christmas season. There are many
very beautiful in season now, but those most
used are the La France, the American Beauty, Nine
Couzne, Nine. de VAUDEVILLE, Prince Alexis and the
Magma Charta.
The question What Is the most suitable bou
tonere for day wearl" is often asked The violet IS
always in good taste. For evening wear the Don-
tonere may consist Of a white English carnation
arranged after the English fashion, or OF perfect
Niphetos with a few sprays Of lily OF the valley
The crowd of Christmas novelties which fill the
tables OF the statoncr to overfowtng differ little
from those of last season There is an abundance OF
small articles decorated with four-leaved clovers.
Fleur dc lis and other French heradic designs appear
china, or candles, as decoration In gold or silver
on white picture frames, are embroidered in re
naissance gold velvet hand bags. There n great
many surprises which look like something diametri'
cally opposite from what they are. Horse chestnuts
deceptions aud for pincushions If the buyer cares
to utilize them there bunces of realistic carrots,
potatoes, beets and nearly all vegetables. Pretty
photograph cases. made of velvet decorated with
feur de lis and other designs in oxidized silver and
old gold Portfolios blottcrs and a variety Of fancy
articles are stll made By etching paper decorated
with roses, French iris and with clOvers showing
the inevitable lucky one with four leaves,
There is a great variety of pretty candlestcks in
Dresden china in pretty blue Delft patterns, in plain
polished silver, in cut crystal, and japanese porcc-
ians Pretty twisted Christmas candles in cOlors
decorated in metals set in roses Of china. Bon
bon boxes take on myriad shapes this season. They
may be a rough box of etching paper daintly painted
around the upper edge with tiny foureaved cloyers
and finished in a soft silk bag of green or wreathed
with pink egantine and finished with silk top Ill
rose color or with viOlets and violet silk top glove
boxes aid other toilet boxes Of the handsomest
description often presented in the gpise of bonbon
boxes the dainty satin Innings of such boxes being
protected from contact with the candy by paper
A beautiful fan is sometimes tied on a box OF French
candies or a dainty jewel casket IS made to become
a receptacle for candy. Among surprise boxes a
mat looking .bccfstcak or Bologna SAUSAGE "a
loaf of bread, roll of twine, or banana are madc
in papier mache to serve bOnbOnnieres. The savoy
cabbages are perhaps the most natural OF all these
curious deceptive bonbonnleres. ~ =,
For information flowers thanks are due to Z. r.
KIunder: for statloners' novelties to FREDERICK IL
Stokes, and for bonbonboxes to H. Maillard.