New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-12-20
THE FIVE.CENT TREE.
CHRISTMAS IS COMINGw CRY THE WEE
ONES-HOw TO MAKE MUCH
az ItrTIE

Is there a family anywhere who does not dread
Chrstm,s shopping and will not be glad when the
ordeal Is over? At first the novelties displayed are
extremely enticing. and the bargain table offers al
manner Of articles that will surely meet every re-
qurement OF the holiday week. You are damned
here and knocked there by the masses Of people
who frequen: the stores. but you rush on obivious
Of everything but the resolve to get through -
soon as possible
Everybody knows that dollar will get no moro
than 100 cents worth. and many a poor mother Is
at her wits end to find the needed toys and sugar
plums that will amuse her little ones. who are tell
ing her all oay long. Christmas Is coming!'
In view Of all these difficulties plan was devised
by clever English family that would lessen the
usual expense OF the holiday festival.
Times ,ver, hard and money scarce. There
fifteen young people In the family. including cous-
ms Of the different branches who lived out OF town.
but who would be to turn up at Christmas.
An array IT presents. however limited In value;
was ar impossibility and so the hostess decided
on a plan which proved success hve-cent
Christmas tree was 10 be ns'ituted-not an articl.
should be well wrapped or boxed with a verso ap.
plicable TO the gift accompanying IT,
investments but almost gave up in despair until
the assistance of the older people was called IN.
Even then it was hard work before all the selec,
lions could be satisfactorily made They struggled
on and when the evening arrived there was me CO.
e tey OF member ensDy OF e" the family ami
The first present given was pretty box to
yourg cousin recently engaged. II was OF COCA
size daintily tied with blue ribbons, and on cara
were these words, For your Jack. In the box
was a photograph frame made OF white leather
cite ard decorated with quaint device in the col
ner There was a merry laugh and then from the
tree was taken bundle of enormous size. winch
fell to the lot Of a lad OF sixteen The whole was
beautifully and bountifully wrapped in pink tissu,
paper and when II made its appearance II wa
round 10 he mustache comb, with verse the
rrst line OF which ran. BE careful OF the down o.
xorr upper lin Among the other gifts were pre't,
i,,le level trays In blue and white china' powis o.
ar,is,ic shane and conventional designs. and not
ono ART, IL exceeded five cents For each gir tnern
was a stirk pin tucked away n a little japanese
nov For the older people there were g,ass me
IN excellent form and pretty bouquet-hoders Inen,
we're handkerchiefs. not very me 10 oe SUR, pu-
rresh looking and sweet. There were WIRING tap'es
and envelopes TO match ash receivers TOT me ".s
and homemade pn cushions. In neart shape, ~
the wives There were fans OF good size In papel'
decorated n gilt silver and tnsel. ana one Hs,n
her ~ tho family who was more INDUSTRIOUS tna,
The others had M ade dozen doyhes emproioeIea
IN while which she distributed equally 10 the nome
,naksrs There were old-fashoned atlcIes,, s h
a. the crochet wash cloth. the KNITTED sPooi oas'
Tho emery and It's companion. the tomato cusn'v,;
IRON holders rag bags and other tribes ina. GU.
10 made 40 a. not TO exceed tho proposed sum. As
- aatah,es OF all sorts. the tree sroaNeu unue
oeoth ,ts weight OF goodies. fruit small caAea,
ho,tles Of ginger pop. candles ana nuts anu ~.
1,,e.copt Christmas tree was pronounced S'ss'