Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-12-08
DECEMBER WORK.

This is the month when the busy
housewife and the wee m&n or grille.
when the society belle and .tle devoted,
lover, the fond husband and loving
wife, mistress and maid, rich and poor,
all are planning, and saving, and work
ing foI one purpose, 10 get gifts and
love tokens for those most dear to them
on Christmas day, the gift day of the
year.
\ word of advice may rot come amiss
to our readers, hint of pretty things
that come within the reach of all, would
be welcomed by few First we would
say, begin by having system, find out
just how much money YOU are sure you
have TO spare, reserve one-fourth of
that as a margin, and for emergencies
sure to arise. In a little memorandum
book write all of the names of those
you desire to bestow gifts upon. Oppo-
site each name write the gift you decide
to present, together with the cost of
same. Many things we may find upon
investigation, and by looking over the
stock of accumulated scraps and fancy
work materials, can be made at home
with trit1ing expense. Go to work on
these first and as soon as thing is done
put it away ina box previously prepared
for the purpose, with some sweet smell
ing leaves and fragrant sachet envelopes.
hpnnUnr ch IN
expedition and see a dainty, choice
article that just suits place on your
| list, buy it and mark that as finished.
In this way the list gradually grows
smaller and the worry, and headache
and discomfort that so often creeps in
to mar our Christmas Joys, finds no
place in our minds.
| Remember it is not the intrinsic value
of the offering that makes it priced
The work of ones own hands is peculi-
larly suitable. Calendars can be made
by cutting twelve pieces of thin card
| board, and pasting the calendar Of the
month in one corner of each, then
| writing or painting, with pen or brush
favorite poem on each one, having the
! outer card ornamented with bit OF
water color, or oil, in sanciful design
tie all together with pretty ribbon and
as each month rolls bv a new card
| brings new thoughts and remembrances
of the donor
For those who can paint there is nc
end of pretty things, easily made. A
| bit of ribbon and cardboard holds
wonderful possibilities. Fancy bonbor
| boxes, pretty pencil cases canoe shaped,
dainty blotters with a spray of flowers,
| and a motto on them, book-marks with
a Christmas message, picture frames etc.
make inexpensive souvenirs. Covered
tray cloths embroidered, doyleys with q
spray in the corner or quaint figures
| done in ink, are never amiss; a pretty
pitcher is suitable gift to the house
wife who delights in pretty table ware,
or as an accessory to my lady's dressing
case. Silver and gold, lovely Worcester
ware, or cheaper delf have each a place.
A bright copper or nickel teapot is as
much of a gift from hard working
Johnny to his mother as silver tea set
! from the son of wealth.
The one thing to be remembered is to
keep in the limits of what you can
afford. If you can give diamonds, all
right. If you can only give inexpen-
sive trifies, choose them for their use
and beauty, and in accordance with
good taste, remembering that "Back OF
| the gift stands the giver." When all are
selected tie up each gift in bright tissue
paper and with dainty ribbons, and you
are ready and pleased to welcome the
glad Christmas day.
For those who take no home paper a
| subscription to the REPORTER would be
a suitable gift to the head of the family
and being weekly budget of news for
! the whole household.