Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-11
Grand Rush Now to Finish the Gift
Making.
new WAYS TO GIVE PRESENTS
Christmas Dinner in England With
Roasted Goose.
THE CHILDREN'S BOOKS

shS 81 Gill lush tHSSe last busy days, her
failure to have done so is but another ex-
ample of the weakness of the flesh, out
weighing the willingness of the spirit.
Although fires, floods and pestilence have
been mercifully spared her, minor disabiii-
ties have been effectual in disposing Of
every surplus moment. But old Father
Tine has taken no notice of these various
hindrances, and, ready or not, Christmas
will be here on schedule time. But moth
er" will be ready. Calling all her energies
into play, she
Scorns delights,
And lives laborious days.
until Christmas eve sees the last package
tea, marked and ready for distribution
Regarding the various ways of dispens-
ing gifts.-While the majority of families
chcose either of the two orthodox and ira
ditional methods of distributing the Christ
mas presents on gaily decorated tree, or
in the stockings hung in the chimney cor
Ter, to receive tie bounty of Santa Claus,
there are others who like variety in gift
giving, and for these a few suggestions are
offered. Have all the gifts done up in
packages, labeled, and put in hamper or
trunk, covered with cotton batting, and
bound with ropes of evergreen. Line the
iiiSiue VI lue CONtT with green C1nCT1C, ana
put upon it star cut from sheet wadding
Or gilt paper, or the words, Merry Christ
mas. The hamper may be drawn in on
sleigh by two or three children, disguised
as reindeer, while Santa Claus appears to
direct the distribution of the gifts. An
other way is to put all the presents, care
fully labeled. in an immense stocking of
red canton flannel gay striped outing
flannel, lacing down from the center of the
leg nearly to the toe. This Brobdignagian
CT nf.l.i y,rr ta la1
hook in the doorway; and when all the
family are assembled be gradually unlaced
and its contents distributed; or the pres
ents may be placed in the chairs and
around the plates at the Christmas break
fast table-if a cold breakfast can be borne
18th equaniIlity
Still another pretty custom is that of the
Christmas ladder-especially if the family
includes small and agile boy given to
acrohatic feats. If a short ladder, to lean
against the parlor wall, is not feasible, a
step-ladder is quite as effectual. Cover the
sides and steps with greens and suspend
tn; presents from every vantage point,
leaving, however, a path for the small dis
tributors flying feet.
\ simple and effective way of distribu-
ton is to make q coy corner booth, util
iZirg screens or clothes-horse as a barrier,
from behind which Santa Claus may dis
pense his wares.
But, whatever the particular plan may
be, be sure that light and warmth, bright
faces and good cheer do their part toward
fostering The Christmas spirit without
which we suffer irreparable loss.
In the way of homemade gifts, in the
first place, there are bags: bags OF high and
bags of low degree-eXuuisite Workbags OF
gorgeous brocades, with cval-shaped, stiff
bottoms. wire frames wound with chenille,
to match the brocade. to support the full
ness above, and cord of the same shade 10
draw it together. Inside are all the COM
Ms thiu1h1e
needles. etc. Then there are laundry bags,
shoe bags, busting bags, scrap bags, button
bags, pattern bags, paper and string bags.
made OF blue denim, bound with white
braid and outlined with the name Of the
contents Of the bag. There are also a large
assortment of hand-painted dinner cards,
sinsly and in sets: with floral designs.
Christmas and New Year fancies. and the
newest thing out in that line, little marine
sketches, to be used at farewell dinners
fo' prospective vOyageurs.
In hand-painted china there are a num-
Der of odd pieces that find ready accep-
lance. An oval honey bowl shaped like a
beehive with cover, is appropriately dec
GRATED with sprigs of red clover; a lovely
little pap bowl for baby, made also with
a cover to keep it's contents warm, has yell
low cowslips scattered over It, while n
quaint little mustard pot, standing a
grape leaf, has yellow mustard blossoms
for its decoration. The little china cups,
decorated with bachelor buttons, for hold
for gentlemen that it is almost impossible
to supply the demand. In ferneres a new
combination Of color-old blue and 1aven-
der-makes effective showing. simple
gift, but one that pleases, is the match
scratcher. The popular cover to these sand
paper backs consists Of a timeworn UNI
brella, that shelters. yet discloses. pair
of lovers. in rainy day dress. Underneath
is the legend:
IAN old umbrella, though full of patches,
Is just the thing for striking matches"
For the children, a new reversible rag
dolly offers the superior attraction of a
change every day. One side up-Dinah's
honest, black face. in turban. rises peace
fully above her pink print gown and white
'kerchief: while twist of the wrist sends
Dinah under cover, and Nancy, in sunbon-
net and prim old-fashioned Dress to take
her place. This transformation is not diff
ficult, for even an amateur in rag dollmak
ing. This reversible doll, like the Queen
of Spain, has no legs but unlike that
modest ruler has head and arms at either
end of her cotton body. Thus equipped
with double skirt, long enough to cover
the superfiuous head, the dual lady is
ready to act her part.
Although gifts, decorations and greetings
all contribute to make Christmas merry"
the Christmas dinner, though less elabo-
rate than the Thanksgiving, has also an
essential part to play In the proper observ-
ance of the day.
In Great Britain, from whence the most
of our Christmas traditional customs have
come to us, a fine, fat goose is often served
as the piece de resistance of the Christmas
feast If well seasoned and cooked to a
turn this makes an exceedingly savory
dish: but great care must be taken in its
selection, as geese are long-lived-fre
quently attaining the age of a hundred
years.
Green geese" from two to four months
old. are considered very choice, and al
ways bring high price. In selecting a
goose some judge it's age by the feet
which. they say, must be soft; others by
the second joint of the leg, which, they
say, must spring back when bent: but the
old-fashioned test Of our grandmothers,
who used to stick pin in the f1esh-to see
If 1t went in easiy-is probably as certain
any. AS geese are very oily, an old one
should be constantly pricked while roast
ing to let out the oil. Onion and potato
are the usual stuffing for geese, although
apples are frequently used, or orange and
onion.
When considerable oil is extracted by the
roasting process take the pan from the
oven and pour off all the oil. Dredge the
goose with flour, add a little hot water
and haste often until brown and tender
Serve always with apple sauce.
While every wise mother knows that her
children's books should be selected with as
much care and discrimination as her chill
drens friends, this Is a particularly hard