Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1894-12-25
1.r AMI. cnRsIMAs socIeTV


Christina. ~. been defined az that
particular season In which We spend
money w. cannot afford in buying for
our friends thing., which ss rule, they
do not want. Apparently thi. voices
the sentiment of many persons, snd Tor
thi. reason there has been started among
4 number of benevolent women a society
called The An,i-Chris,mas society
At fret thi. would seem Ia be- mis-
nomer, u. motive and aim being purely
philanthropic and practical. Of late
wear. Christina. gifts have BEEN exag-
gcrated not only In number, but In elr-
ganc-: friend. have We'd each other In
the co.tline.. aud beauty of the glft "
self. forgetting entirely the spirit which
should accompany Il. ], has been sea
.on 81 worry and ycxstlon of mind
Considerations persons have suffered IN
the effort io do what wa. apparently ex-
pected ~ them, and not exceed their
limited means. Women have absolutely
msde themselyc. III. and by the time the
lovely aud joyful day came have been
laid low ON q bed of suffering. The
" hole thing IA. been run Into the ground
aud from being \ holiday full OF cheer
aud goVd will IL has degenerated Into
= day of enforced aud ml.sppliei gener-
oslty.
Now, this Anti-Chri.tm.s Society has
made 4 move In the right direction. All
IN. membsr- agree Ia give nothing to
their immedlat. friends exceeding In
price, aud In many Instance. they have
mutually sworn of exchanging gifts al
all. n they have put aside q certain
amount Ia be expended st this time. IL
can be- used where Il will be of some real
service. Unfortunately this year has
been A hard one for numberless persons,
and there are Thousands of chances for
one Ia give where ones gift will be OF
substantial value 10 the fortunate recipl.
.nt. For these modest and inexpensive
presents much ingenuity can be shown,
aud there never was time when there
were so many opportunities to buy
pretty aud suitable things for sl NJ nov.
For instance, there are no end OF at
tractiye small silver knlckknacks rang
ing Ia price from fifty cents to sl, which
are useful and acceptable. A growing
plant which will last all winter will
gladden. the heart Of an invalid friend. =
good photograph of any well-knosn
picture 4. always worth having; a book
|. alvays acceptable aud there one may
have auite chance 10 show Judgment
In her choice. Any little bit of work
embroidered AZ ones leisure IL enjoyed
by a busy woman who has no time aud
possibly no taste for doing such things,
but has the cspsbility of appreciating
the time and thought such gilt has
co.t the giyer. City folks are so rushed
that but little spare time Ia theirs To de-
vote to absent friends, whereas those
Who are fortunate enough To live less
disturbed aud interrupted lives can sit
down quietly with their work, and
spend q few hours crocheting or knit
ting, the hsppy result Of which labor
giving great pleasure Ia the individual
who u the Inspiration of IL.
There are knitted overshoes which eau
not be bought at the ordinary shop, but
are most convenient and comfortable Ia
wear over ones sllppcrs when one i
Obliged 10 90 out In the evening. The
sole. are ordinary lndla-rubber soles,
the galters being knitted on To them
There are also wri.ters, mlitens,
brioehe., wssh-rags, doilies, and centre
pieces for the table, all simple and easy
TO make, costing comparatively little,
and vet useful aud acceptable as gifts,
II IL the appropriateness OF = present
aud not its cost which gives IL its real
value. let us this year try TO put our
hearts into our remembrsnces To ouI
friends. Bafsr.