The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-12-23
A CHRISTMAS SUGGESTION.
Plan Adopted by One Woman il
BuVing Presents.

Buying Presents.
The giving of presents at Christ
mas season has become so conven-
tional and inevitable custom that
this day OF peace and good will is now
more of dread and a care than it
ought to be. Possibly, this is be-
cause so many of as make the mis-
take of waiting until the holidays are
fairly upon US before we consider
what will be the most pleasing and
appropriate gifts for those upon our
Christmas list. Then, with a limited
time at our disposal, in which to Sc
lect nun Der Of presents, we enter a
shop, aud, finding the place thronged,
we make our purcases hurriedly, ac-
cepting the advice OF the salesman,
who is anxious to turn his attention
to other customers impatieutly wait
ing for their turn. Consequently, we
often depart with the things that are
more likely to be disappointment
than satisfaction.
During recent discussion Of the
cares of the holidays, one clever wo-
man described her labor saving meth
cd of providing gifts for her some
what numerous friends.
each year." she said, Il turn all
shopping efforts toward one collec-
ton. 1t may be silver, CT rare bits OF
porcelain, or embroidered household
linens. With my thoughts thus bent
upon particular research, [ am not
led into sudden, frantic purchases by
the rush or the impulse of the mo-
ment, only to realize in a calm after
ward that I bought those things
merely because they thrust them
selves upon me, and not because they
filed the needs or tastes that I wish
ed to crafty.
"This year, finding my resources
somewhat cramped, I selected crystal,
as it gives a lovely return for mea-
ger expenditure One OF my friends
is devoted to the graces other dining
table; therefore I am confident that
she will be pleased with cut glass
jelly bowl of so quaint and attractive
a shape as to make the m odest price
seem Incredible. Another is distinc-
lively fond of arranging her flowers
in variety of holders. For her an
orcbid-sLaped vase of Bohemian glass,
in shades of green and brown, is pur-
chased without a do2bt OF its vel
come; while for violet loving girl
violet globe of pale purple Austrian
glass, edged with dull gold, is a
charming little receptacle to secure
for IS cents.
The friend whose tiny apartment is
slorifed by the unique contents OF
her cabinets will receive the newest
Venetian importation-a shallow
bowl of green threaded glass, held
high in the feet of griffin, whose
head peers over the ed ge of the bowl;
the griffin is opal-tinted.
'Besi..es selecting these novelties
from special importers, I have hunted
through the jumble of OLD curio shops
and have had as much enjoyment in
the discovery of little treasures there
as my dear acquaintances will have in
possessing them. And 50 my Christ
mas shopping has been pleasure in
stead Of a trial.
In ancient times rock crystal used
to be carried for coolness in the
hands Of the high born Venetian
lady. Moreover the Venetiars are
said to lave carried 70 perfeetion'sLe
art of carving on rock crystal. But
they could have done nothing more
superb than the hunting scenes Cat
upon the gobIets and beakers Of the
Dorhinger manufactcry.
In green Carlsbad glass are tall,
narrow little goblets to be used for
the oyster cocktail, which has re-
placed oysters on the half-shell as the
first "whet" of a dinner. These
stand in saucers, and are decorated
with broad gold band. In the
same color and with similar orna-
mentation are low cups, deeply
crumpled opposite the handles, like a
Florentine flower basket. These al
so rest on saucers, and are intended
for frozen punch.
There is a new shape of dinner
glass which is quite the rage. 1t is
called the Moorish pattern, from the
four curved divisions of the tumblers,
wine glasses, bowls and decanters
Lamps play so important part in
house furnishing, and the fashions of
their globes vary SO decidedly, they
require great care in selection.
Shades of silk and lace are entirely
out of date-they have almost been
banished to the limbo OF "bad FORM
and glass globes are in triumphant
Bent glass III the most
popular Moorish shape is much liked;
the colors are exquisite autumn leaf
browns, rich reds-any soft, becom-
ing color may be had. But the new
est and most beautiful lamp shade is
made of large sea shells-the Medi-
terranean conch that old-time sea
captains used to bring to their New
England homes to ornament the man
tells and 'what-nots" -Four of these
are Joined into a globe shape with a
gold or silver network. In daytime
the shells have dark pearl tint, but
when the fame of the lamp shines
them they glow with a beau
tiful rose color.-Washington Star.