The Dickinson press., 1893-12-23
TO CHRISTMAS GlvERS.
-HssWExxM4s

Suggestions as to Appropriate Holiday
Presents.
The gift which harmonizes with its fu-
ture surroundings and just fits in va
cant spot is the one which is most val
ued. The same rule applies to articles
Of dress. To the young brunette, whose
evening gowns are generally pink or
crimson, the pale blue fan, although
lovely i'll itself, would not be rs service
able as a palmer one which she could use
with her existing wardrobe. Before you
embroider the doilies or centerpieces for
the housewives table consider the color
of her china and try to bring your work
into affinity with her possessions.
The friends in mourning and the in
valid dappreciate the thoughtfulness which
adapts the gift to their saddened lives.
The book, with its comforting message;
the potted palm to brighten the darkened
room, the soft knitted shawl or slippers
in fact, anything that evidences consid-
Grafton for their feelings, and does not
jar by incongruity, is priceless.
1t is astonishing to note how much is
frittered away on perishable trifes when
the Christmas gift, of all others, should
be something enduring. The elaborate
card and beribboned booklet are prac-
tically useless, aside from the remem-
brance which prompts their giving Al
most every one has a collection Of satin
hand painted vanities, lovely to look at,
but the care of which is the despair of
both mistress and maid. But some say:
"Other things are beyond my means. l
cannot afford to give substantial pres
ents." 1t is fact that the shops, espe-
cially during the hot months, are filled
with at least three articles which delight
the hearts of homemakers the world
over, and which many young girls love
to collect against the wedding day.
What are they, pray? Dainty individual
coffee cups, harlequin spoons and single
plates, suitable for the serving of fruits,
cream or salad.
Cooperation is boon to the average
purse. If the members of the family or
set of friends accustomed to exchange
gifts unite their finances, ley can give
one handsome article in the place of sew
eral makeshifts.
Good taste discriminates between the
needs Of country and town and does not
send an opera glass or party bag to the
farmhouse. Neither does it give the boy
book which he ought to like, but tries
to select one to complete his favorite &C.
ries. Children's stockings are sometimes
filled from the standpoint of maturity.
Utility and not suitability governs the
choice of their contents. There has been
many disappointed, sorrowful heart on
Christmas morning because the powers
that be, forgetting their own childhood,
had catered to the tastes of those of 40
instead of to those of 4.
On the principle of like attracting like,
the most valuable gift too often finds its
way to the one who needs it least. In
some cases good judgment dictates the
giving of money as the kindest thing to
be done. How often some poverty
straitened one has sighed over the e1-
pensive gift, "If only had the money
this gift cost" No field affords wider
opportunity for the exercise of common
sense than Christmas giving. Women,
by exercising judgment, not only benefit
themselves, but are positive blessing
in their example to the entire sex, and
yuletide of 1898 will be happy one in
deed if common sense is more employed
in Christmas gifts.-A. L. Fleming.
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