St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-12-26
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vsty stzoag Or Very InszpsasavS fs5t
the Most Suitable ChndFoa 0h0o1A -
Ts1ght Practically the Joy and Daeeoe4r
Asss of Glviag.
In the thoughts Of every mother gifts
for the children are uppermost at this
time Of giving, which II especially the
childreu's own. Al soon a they are old
enough to understand tho difference
between mine and thine they should b
taught practically the Joy and blessed
ness Of giving. When the tiny angers
begin to fashion little articles Of orna-
ment or use, as they do 20 early In
the kindergarten. or under careful
home training, they have the material
for gifts Of their own making. Tho
pride and delight which a child takes
in being able to say: II made this
myself" makes one feel that they arc
deprived OF legitimate source Of pleas
ure, a part OF their birthright, II they
are denied the opportunity. All chill
dren have generous impulses. some. OF
course, in far larger measure than
others. but in all they should be culti-
waited and stimulated. never repressed.
The mother has room for the exercise
OF much wisdom In choosing the pres.
ents to be made to them. Far too much
money is wasted every Christmas in
purchasing toys which are played with
but for q few hours or days, then
broken and cast aside. II this expendis
ture were INDUCED in solely by per:
a a. Ia
travagant it would be bad enough. hut
they are not the only thoughtless ones.
Those with small means, who have to
refrain from buying many things they
would like to possess, will throw money
away on some fragile plaything that
they know will not long endure the
rough treatment it is sure to receive.
We must remember that children do
not see. things from our standpoint.
A beautifully-finished toy appeals to
us by its ingenious construction or its
excellent workmanship. These fine
points are lost on the child of three or
four to whom it is given. His unframed
eye does not perceive nor comprehend
the details which have charmed us.
TO him it is only something to be played
with after his own fashion, and when
careless usage speedily reduces it to
a wreck he CONTEMPORARY losses it
away or grievcs over its altered condi-
ton. according to his disposition.
Either very strong or very Inexpensive
toys are the most suitable for little
children. As they grow older and can
be taught to care for them they may
be intrusted with more delicate and
costly ones.
We all know playthings that have
been handed down from one generation
to another and still delight the grand
children of their original possessors.
have in mind a white china lamb that
belonged to one who was little child
nearly 100 years ago. She did not stay
in this world long enough to outgrow
the childish treasure. 1t was given to
another sister of the same name who
succeeded her, and when she. too, passed
away. to a third, whose daughter still
has it as one of her most valued pOs-
sessions. Time has incrusted it with as
sociations and made what was an insig.
nificant trifle q relic of inestimable
worth to those who understand them.
A substantial dolls mouse will give un-
told pleasure to family of girls, who
will extract from it some of the bliss
Of real housekeeping, and learn much
that Is useful in managing it. Some
chjldren are naturally careful and 1t
requires little effort to make them take
care Of their belongings. Others seem
incorrigibly careless and wasteful; they
show the spendthrift disposition even
in early childhood. These need ju-
dicious training and it will in time bear
fruit, although to the discouraged
mother the task often seems hopeless.
Ladies Home Journal.