Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-12-14
HONENAKERS COLUMN.
Cos1sspcndence On topics ofinsoasee joths lsdiss
b Dollc11od. Addrooa: kdi1cr H0nxMAKKne'
CoLUnu. Oxford Democrat Paris. Aains.
CHRISTMAS CHEER.


The whole world over tire Christmas
holiday has always been celebrated with
feastlng and merry-makinG. Mach OF
this has no connection with the religious
Significance Of the day, and even dates
back to the Pagan celebration Of the
winter solstice. The yule log, the boar's
head and the wassail bowl descended to
the English people from the customs OF
their barbaric ancestors.
The use Of evergrens for Chriatmas
decorations ID survival Of Druidic cere-
monies. In the northern countries the
green leaves were naturally more highly
esteemed than where winters reign Was
less severe.
The Christmas markets In any large
city are well worth visit. All around
outside are stacks Of small evergreens,
spruce and fir, pertaining the crisp
winter air with their balsam. There
are also piles Of wreaths OF evergreen
and Of holly, with its bright berries
and lunches OF other greens and brilliant
berries. Mistletoe grows In the southern
states, and Is imported also.
Within, the stalls are filled with the
best from all parts OF the earth. Poultry
has reigned supreme since Thanksgiving,
and now the goose becomes the leader,
whie the turkey IL still a fsvorite. The
bosr's head Of our ancestors Il kept In
mind by the fat Young pig for roasting.
TO be served with rosy apple In Its
mouth.
Roast beef isan appropriate Christmas
dish, and the beefin the markets at this
season specially selected with reference
to the holiday, and Ia the best OF the
year.
Gene there Il in abundance, probably
IN, re on hand during Christmas week
than for any foil month later In the sea-
son.
The stands where vegetables and fruits
are sold likewise are loaded with good
things. Grocery stores also provide n
lsvi.h supply Tor the holiday trade.
fresh raisius aud nuts Of all de. ctiptions
aud tens OF fancy candies are disposed
OF during the holiday week.
While there IL every temptation to
sp, nd money freely for the table, ~
we'll as for gifts Of all descriptions, Il
Is the spirit and thought put into the
preparation Of the gifts and the dinner
after all which make tn m delightful.
The observance Of the day properly
begins the previous evening; that Ia the
time for the children To hang up their
stockings TO be filed With bonbons and
the smaller gifts, while the large articles
are reserved for the tree the following
night.
Breakfast on Christmas Day should
not be quite like other meals, and ample
time should be given to IL. Lat Il be de.
layed I'LL sfler the one holiday visit Of
the pos,msn, ifpossible, or ifbcyond the
bounds Of the free delivery. reserve some
of the packages from the previous day
10 open at the table.
Where there arc no real children,
give all the grown-ups q chance TO play
they ATE children sgain by placing nj
each plAte 4 baby's or dolls stocking,
containing tiny gifts and bonbons. This
may be done 10 dainty fashion, even for
formal dinner party Christmas night.
Such plan gives an opportunity for
many jokes and for the exchange Of
pretty tribes where expensive gifts
would be out Of the question. Another
scheme Is TO have a Tiny tree as the GEN.
trail ornament OF the table, or two Of
them, II there are many guests and the
table Is long. Let the trees be covered
With lighted candles aud tiny gifts for
dinner souvenirs.
Another pretty device Is fancy bss-
ket, heaped with holly ss u centrepiece !;
from this narrow ribbons, 10 color
matching the holly berries, extend TO
the plate Of each guest, there ending with
twig OF holly. The other end Of the
ribbon Is attached TO some appropriate
gift or verse, which Il concealed under
the holly in the basket. At the close Of
the dinner, when everything Ia removed
from the table but the bonbons and cof-
| fee, the hostess gives the signal and each
guest draws his ribbon toward himself.
For Christmas dinner. II color
scheme be desired. nothing Il more salts
factory than scarlet or green, or both
combined.
But there are always some friends
separated by distance or illness, who
cannot keep the holiday together, or we
have acqusintances who have their ON n
home circles and cannot join ours st this
festival In many such cases substantial
gifts are Inappropriate, and might con-
vey M obligation, which would not be
felt II the remembrance came In the
form Of box OF homemade candies or A
Christmas cake. The custom OF sending
small packa OF eata bles TO those whom
remembrance is due IA said TO be rapidly
increasing at this season, and IL Is wise
plan II II IL not Observation-Disclosures
Kitchen Magazine.