Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-06
ATTRACTIVE HOMES.
Some Suggestions Applicable to the
Selection Of Christmas Gifts
PRETTINEss AND CHEAPNEss.
Articles That Nay Ds Mod e Heuns q Small
kxpsass. or Nay De Puschassd In the
seores-Dainty Trinkess Capable q Extern
sive DEMONSTRATION.


are filed with beautiful things to satisfy all
wants and suit all tastes, but il il the long
purse which is needed 10 supply ones Christ
mas list in that way, and nimble fingers must
often aid the pocket BOOKS which are the re-
verse Of plethoric. A pardonable pride, too,
may be felt by those whose taste and skill can
enable them to add an individuality and ex-
ciuslveness to their gifts which mere money
cannot buy. On the other hand it is even more
comforting to feel that one may buy, without
the trouble Of planning or calculating, the
pretty and costly things one sees and which
VIII so exactly suit the we'll Unknown tastes OF
one friend or the surroundings Of another. To
those in both situations there are suggestions
TO be made which may be useful possibly and
save the WEAKNESS of thinking what TO give
and where to get it. Even to those of small in
wei. there are many little TRIES which are &C.
ceptable and pretty.
PRETTY McucHon CASE.
A pretty present is that of a mouchoir case,
which is composed Of a handkerchief itself, q
sheer one being chosen, with embroidery fin.
ished with a. scallop. This handkerchief il
folded like an envelope. with the four corners
meeting, and a sachet in the center. made az
large as the square formed after folding. The
sachet IL simply cotton, well sprinkIed with
sachet powder and covered on both sides with
!ndla silk OF any plain color one chooses, which
is laid In the handkerchief, and the color
meeting in the center are left open far enough
80 that handkerchief can be easily inserted
and then the openings are caught together
with little bows of ribbon, either matching the
SILK used for the sachet or of white, like the
nan Ganakeichief. This is easily made, inexpen.
sive and . dainty-looking affair, and when, in
course OF time, it is soiled or crushed can be
taken apart and the handkerchief put to il
destined use, while the sachet can be inclosed
In new one one wishes.
PARTY BAGS ARE GOOD PnEsENu.
Party bags are always good presents fol-
young girls and are made with little trouble
They want to be about ten inches vide and
eighteen deep when finished and a deep hem
must further be allowed for the wide ruffie
above the shirring. They can be much orna.
mented or made of figured stuffs which obviate
all necessity for hand decoration. China sill
in pretty patterns has long been used for these
but even Prettier ones are made from the gold
stamped Japanese crepes and the more gold the
better for such an affair. The yellow crepe
well covered with the design in gold is charm.
ing and 80 is the pink. II one fancies the fac
ing to the rufie may be Of = contrasting color
or plain silk the color Of the figured goods used.
Cords make the best drawing strings, the soft
cords being preferred.
Another present, which is always to the fore
and In favor, Is the chatelaine Of ribbons with
al the pretty little sewing implements attached.
Each ribbon Is OF different length, all caught
together at the top with a full roset&e. and II
pinned by a shield pin to the dress.
Giove-mending outfits are similarly made,
with celluloid ring at the top, 30 they can be
hung up, and the different threads braided TO.
ge1her to match all colored gloves and little
ceiluloid form to slip into the glove fingers to
work over conveniently. These ceiluloid things
can be gotten by corresponding ribbons
ATTRACTIVE OPERA BAG.
An attractive little bag for the opera or other
uses is made OF plush or brocade and ribbons.
The bottom of the bag is of plush, say. and is,
when sewed up, four and q half inches wide by
three deep. Ribbon Of the same or . contrast
ing color is cut into half-yard lengths, six be-
ing needed. The ribbon 10 one and half inches
wide and the strips are sewed on to the plush
lower part, side by side, six strips lust fitting
on. The strips are then sewed together, over.
hand, for two inches, making the bag part tina,
much deeper. The ribbons which are left
separate from each other the rest OF
tho way, are gathered together at the
top and drawn through a ring and
then tied in bow knot with several looms and
ends. The ring serves to hold the bag BY, and
when one wishes to get at the contents by
loosening the hold or laying it down all the
ribbons fall apart, leaving the bag. part easy Of
ACCESS. Brocade in the pompadSur designs
would be very pretty with the ribbons. have
seen lovely brOcade, a white ground with
yellow buttercups scattered over it, and this
with yellow ribbons, gros grain with satin edge
wonid make very dainty bag, or black with
pink flowers and pink ribbons would be equally
pretty in darker effect
TO COVER A FLOWER POT.
saw good idea the other day for GOVERNS
flower pots. OF India siik--or I should thinl
pretty Saline or silkoline might do also-take 9
strip, which, with shirring top and bottom
allowed for, will be Just the height Of the fiowe,
pot to be covered. The strip must be Ions
enough to be quite full when shirred and az
inch-wide ruff1e must be beyond the shir at tn,
and bottom. A ribbon is run in the casing,
and when draw up is tied in bows.
GIFTS FOB MEN.
For men il is generally harder to select 8
gift as they are apt to consider useless the YER,
things which are sure to please the women
kind. This makes melancholy the would-bs
glver, who may have to depend largely on he,
own head and fingers for the presents she be
slows when all the world is present giving.
waste-paper basket, strong and commodious
without much nonsense" about it in the way
of ribbons, is . good thing, though q simple
one. BlOtters and pen wipers are good, also
especially if mounted in silver; and silver. by
the way-unbreakabls and durable-seems spe.
cially well suited for q mans belouRinps
Now that all toilet articles and many
other really useful things are to be found with
silver fittings there is nothing better than some
Of these as gifts for masculine friends. and 8
variety is offered to select from. The silver
pocket match holders, court plaster cases and
silver pocket knives have been given for sew.
eral seasons and most men are supplied but II
not they are always in order. Ash trays OF
silver or china can be given almost without
number, for they can be used In many places
and each year brings some novelty in styles
and shapes. Even q non-advocate OF tobacco
is led sometimes into fostering the love Of il
by seeing some especially appropriate nipple.
ment for its use, and 80 presenting it az q
Christmas souvenir.
DAINTY THINGS TO DECK Hm ROOMS.
II young man has an interest at all in his
own room or rooms it 10 easier to find accept.
able gifts for whatever IL an ornament to them
pleases him as it would In giving similar
things to woman. Pillows for tie Inevitable
divan, pictures for the walls frames or cases
for some of the innumsrable photographs Of
pretty girls which he possesses and any suitable
ornament for his mantel or book shelves viii
be sure Of welcome. Even pin cushions
and, bureau sca.fs are recsived and
glass bottles, silssr-hacksd brushes
collar boxes and nscktie Gases viii be probably
accepted with enthusiasm. Any convenience
or Injuries for travelling are likewise excellent
gifts, such a. TASKS, cups and soap boxes In al.
yer, and are equally appropriate for man on
woman. Dainty travelling casea Of linen, with
. little embroidery and salk braid binding and