Evening star., 1898-12-10

buying little silver knicAknacks for pres-
ents without rejecting very much on their
SUITABILITY as gifts for the particular friends
for whom they are intended And the suit
ability of q gift is its great charm. Put
brains and love into your Christmas pres-
ent- You Will find 1t does not take as much
money as When one starts out Ia a hap-
hazard way simply with a list Of names of
people for whom Christmas gifts are to be
purchased. Try and remember something
you nave heard your friend say she liked
To give gifts whic.. fit the recipient is to be
real Santa Claus as true as the one which
made our childhood so happy
Where Even Mistakes Please.
Girls always need something TO wear The
eternal feminine Is one Flora McFYimsey
From a theater bonnet to a dainty throat
piece which can be constructed in an hour
by needlewoman there is nothing in the
line of adornment which the members of
her family may not give girl and earn
her gratitude, provided it is becoming 10
ler. don't know how many pairs of
gloves would make girl happy. A dozen
would make her quite contented Ons girl
OF my acquaintance had not long ago sew
erai realns OF note paper sent her. 1t all
pore her monogram. and put up as 1t was
IN a very large. handsome box, with pack
ages and packages of envelopes, it repre-
sented wealth untold in the stationery line
and made her most envied by other girls
who bought their stationery in Quires and
boxes.
Now that every one must possess at least
one comb for ths hair and several orna-
ments as well If 1t can be managed the
illustrations will give a hint which shouid
not be forgotten.
| One reads all sorts of advice ON Christmas
gifts. Either they should or should not be
useful, according to the individual fancy of
the writer. AS a matter OF fact, II dapepds
upon the individual to whom they are to
be given. Paterfamilias who has been busy
all his life making both ends meet for a
large II interesting family will not care
Tor anything which will not be of uss TO
him in one way or the other and his busy
wife, whose life has been one long home-
Keeping, and who has probably had to learn
quite as Well as he the value of money, will
not bs pleased with useless trinkets But
she would appreciate knot of lace made
as they wear them now, two short bows
held together by a tiny cross piece the
eHect being lace bow without ends. She
could put that on quickly and it would bs
an addition to her dress She would appre-
ciate any addition TO her work basket and
any labor-savfng device for putting stamps
on the envelopes of the many notes she
writes, or the thousand and one things
which can be put in uss at once.
Small Travelling Comforts.
There are very many fittings made now
adays for the interior of travelling bags,
| and almost every one has q bag A COM
plete set which will be given to a girl who
is going south for the winter is not expen-
sive and yet very dainty. There is a sponge
| bag OF pink silk rubber. They can be had
now, and although little more expensive
wear better than the others. A soap dish,
| toothbrush holder and powder box of pink
ceiluioid complete set which will be most
useful and light.
For ihvalids, brands OF cologne which
you know they use: fountain pens, if they
write letters; soft pillows for tired backs,
pictures and books are all excellent gifts.
Servants, too, like cologne, and If they
| are allowed to use 1t ones own selection is
a comfort. They also like stationery and
trinkets. ribbons and little ornaments for
their Sunday dresses better than aprons
and caps.
Table linen is always acceptable to people
of moderate means. Renaissance and tor
| chon lace doilies for bare tables are the
most cherished of gifts, but they are not
inexpensive ones unless done at home. The
torchon is newer than the renaissance, but
the latter Is the most striking of all table
decorations. Linen is an inexhaustible SUBJ
ject and one need only have ones attention
turned in that direction to find most beauti-
full gifts.
Ornamental and Useful.
Gifts of china should not be overlooked.
Setting aside Royal Worcester, Crown
Derby and other wares fit only for plethoric
purses and luxurious surroundings, there
are hundreds OF makes of china, French.
Austrian. Chinese and Japanese, which are
! within the reach of the most modest givers