Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-24
Filling a Christmas Stocking.

How the Joys OF the Christmas stocking
come crowding back through memory's
lane as we open the gate to that mystic
lious avenue which connects the present
with the past. How our pulses quicken.
as If to clutch the stockings knobby eX-
terior How our eyes glsten and bright
en- even as they We're won't to do in that
far off time when childish hands present.
ed TO them the wonderful contents that
Santa Claus had bestowed in those magic
depths. writes Dorothy Shepherd in the
Ladies' World.
1t was both a mine of revelation and
mint of wealth!
But as I'VE cannot eat our cake and
have it. too" and the Christmas stock
ing delights are known most keenly TO
qush our fond recollections. and let them
give place ITO loving forethought of the
the coming yuletide hose. that they may
retain their popularity and he unto others
what they have been to us.
AS Santa Claus active assistant, you
should lose no time in preparation.
If there is no child in your household.
| try to find one who has no prospect of
| the Christmas joy, and ministe,' your
good villa and good things in the name
and for the sake of the Holy Child.
The first thought should be directed
| toward the stocking itself.
1t has been my experience. and one, I
think, common with all, that no child of
any Intellectual development desires to
! The boy who said Il wear No. g. but |
want No. y on Christmas eve,''' was
spokesman for all his contemporaries
| Buy big stockings then; as many as
you need. or, rather, as many as you
are to have the pleasure of filling. They
maysere of cheap quality. and had best be,
enough to fill the void when the treas
ures are emptied. and put them to the
prosaic use OF ordinary service.
! Get them white or of balbriggan quail
/ ity, as there is no danger then of dye
hurting the goodies. They are much
more cheerful and effective too. Sew
tapes at the opening that they may be
securely hung, and then, before laying
| them away in the deep mystery. of the
Christmas bureau drawer, show them to
the children. for the sight will give
| time to time, as a great. treat. they ma,
| come forth for another view, and you Will
| find them a sure cure for fit of bad
temper. or the positive cause for an
Now, as to the filling. Don't forget all
about 1T in the hurry of your other work.
and the, provision, of gifts to the grown
up people, tia at the last moment you are
! forced to run out to the store the day be-
| fore Christmas to try and make UP the
deficiencies.
| Have everything in readiness before
l that day if you can, and let those hours
be for quiet wrapping. and addressing OF
parcels, writing of friendly notes. and.
| more than ALL the still preparation of
| your own heart and mind for the great
gift, whose coming makes Christmas
| what it is.
| From time TO time III your SuOpplIlS
tours choose out little things whose
| width is not greater than the circumfer-
ence of those hidden Santa Claus stock
ings: o, 49,. ,o anr ,n.;o,os Gov
you can rely greatly on the fruit candy,
etc, to fill in. A silver thimble or pen
| ell. a pair of gloves or mittens. few
handkerchiefs. a doll or jumping-jack,
penknife, pencil box, dainty little cup
| and saucer, a silver scarf or breast-pin
| and a few gay or grotesque toys will he
1 It-l, l,aa -
alloyed delight.
| Find out, if you can, however. the in
dividual desire. and if that portion of the
| hemisphere in which YOU live holds it.
include that one beloved thing, whatever
| it may De.
| During Christmas week buy the can
dies fruit, ETC., and it is well ito add a
few attractive crackers and simple cakes,
| in order that the stocking shall not hold
more sweetness than the owners system
4 And now there is nothing more to do
until Christmas eve. Try to have every
thing as quiet as usual, so that excite
ment may not drive sleep far away. Help
the children to hang the stockings either
by their bedside or at the hearth, plac-
ing chair or table near at hand to hold
the larger gifts that loving friends have
When the children are safely tucked in,
bed, go in, noiselessly, and unite the
STOCKINGS bringing them out into the
Let father" help you fill them if he
has time so that you may have equal
share in the reality of the joy of watch
ing the next days emptying process
| Have plenty of soft white tissue paper,
Il and blue and pink baby ribbon at hand
and YOU are ready TO begin.
The toe of the stockings will be the goal
of ambition, therefore bury your best
treasure deepest If it Is small enough
Wrap it lightly i'll paper, tie with ribbon
and push 1t well down. Nothing is more
exasperating to fair mind than to find
Christmas stocking-the hope and dream
of a month-wl.h great untitled spaces;
therefore, pack we'll!
LEI a tiny basket or box of candies, all
so wrapped, follow the oe.leaders. and
an orange or apple will. NIL the heel nice
ly. Put in each article carefully, inter-
spersing the fancy crackers, and tying
, IN everything in the dainty wrappings
for the joy of untying adds greatly to
their value. Keep your biggest delight
for the top. and that had h4qt b left un-
tied. in order that It's ~ be the
first thing to greet che "a.
! ! ; = >
When an Is finishe9 ently ana
Will