Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-12-08
THE CHOICE OF GIFTS.
Arpropriate Presents for Relatives and
Friends.

There are numerous small articles
for the dressing and sewing table
which the average housekeeper fully
intends to buy some day" Probably
were these articles more EXPENSIVE
and difficult to procure they would
have found their way TO her table long
ago. but, as it is. she frequently
worries along without them until some
sensible friend supplies the long felt
want. Among those useful or orna :
mental accessories are sewing birds,
10 secure muslin to the table instead
of pinning il to the knee: glove
darners. TO slip into the refractory
fingers and mend them in trice;
Glove stretchers, that save many
agonizinG moments when one is rushed
10 death and has a new glove to put
on; an alcohol lamp which is useful
in a score of little emergencies: III >
long-desired bodkin, jewel-ooX or
holder for the unsightly vaseline jar.
Charming little workboXes of bronZed
leather lined with blue silk. all the
edges fitted evenly together and
strongly bound with dura bic silk rib
hon. are among the attractions for the
sewing table These boxes come in 4
great variety of styles and at varyin"
n,ices. Some contain all the Access
series for sewing and darning. com
nrising a pair of scissors and thimble.
naper of assorted needles. pin-cushion.
emery. bodkin, beeswaX. "A case of
sewing silk, or of cotton in graded
numbers. glove-darner. darning-ege,
sewing-bird and paper of pins. y
H. \, I,
accessories. but containing fitted
nockets to receive them. can be bought
for St5O. More elaborate and larger
boxes made on the same styles can be
had All the way up TO Sc. Three dollars
will buy Il comfortable sized box. and
81 more will stock it completely. in
ending n sterling silver thimble for 80
csuts and a pair of American steel
scissors for 40 cents. The sewing bird
az white metal at 80 cents is not in
cluded in the 81.
skillfui sewer could easily make
on., of these useful little gifts. bur a
novice in handling Minervas thimble
had best not begin with Il leather box.
for the reason that a false stitch shows
distinctly on the plain leather. The
nice Joining Of the edges and sides IS
onite essential To gaining Il good effect.
and only an experienced ncedlcWoman
can accomplish this. 4 pretty design
nj cretonne in neutral tintS could ne
used. and Sateen would do nicely lor
the lining of such Il box, which. by the
way. must be made in pieces ana pu'
tornthcr to secure the best ERECT.
What was saved on the cost of the
leather and silk for lining might go
into the additional cost of sterling
silver thimhlc and scissors However.
tba Sewin. boxes and baskets offered
for sale by the large shops are so well
made and 50 inexpensive that unless
ono ms oceans Of time II would
scarcely nav to make one. especially
Win M HOLIDAYS now so close upOn
US.
Funny little rabbits heads made OF
eravish velvet. tied about their fat
necks with yellow ribbon. blink az one
and belle their practical use as pun
cushions at 80 cents each.
Laundry and shoe bags are 50 cheap
u u cents 10 81 each that it scarcely
DAYS 10 make them, especially wren
thrv set forth the time honored adage
about cleanliness being next TO godll-
ness" ana further proclaim their use
fitness by their size and sensihle
coors.
,vaIlSur,Dliad needle book, to
vh;cb ono can turn when a button has
suddenly flown off and find just the
right sized sewing needle, tape hee'ie
or darninc needle. is a friend III
need"
For HE friend who has taken an in
or =
cry. a square Of art ticking StaliiPe'
IN a pretty design with two doHci
skeins Of floss for embroiderinG IT, II =
pretty gift.
Other novelties in the way OF fancy
work are the BattcnburG squares Oh
linen. which are embroidered VII"
delicate floral designs both on the iiheh
centres and upon the creamy iar'
edges the loosened petals fallih& III
showers over the lace. Another very
novel style Of linen embroidery !
cross-stitching upon linen, for napNiiiS,
doiles. centre pieces, etc. instead oil
The usual floral designs.
Give grandma a real jolly Snrlstn Una ;.
Make her forget that her tnriStiii"H
have nea Iy passed. Instead OF the nsud
.Gud. l., tt,aycn'' and spectacle case
give her 4 pretty basket OF bonOohS- ~.
is sure to haN" Il sweet tootn- oiit w.
he inclined to think she is sweet SlNteti
again if she finds bottle OF me PEI
lume ana dainty lace jabo. ~ 1T
stocking. Five her some really, trul!
love stories. and see how she Will "nJoH
them. Why the dearest old lac! IN "
world who lives away mp in the Woo'i
OF Northern New York. will sit ~
nights reading the novels thlt her me- me-
and granddauchterS bring up there wnr'
they 20 for their summer vacations 81
is an expert judge OF situations. anu
like any schoolgirl. she always reads th'
last chapter first. - -, ,
John please give me so to BUY
Christmas present for you" 1t is thl'
sort of wifeIy Eift-Giving that IS reSPpii
Siblc for many of the SibeS ana JONI
which cnlivcn the pages OF the comic ''
pers as the holiday season approaches
There is no denying that the aNeras'
woman is giilty of adopting TINS max
shift method of giving when ii comes u
the selection of n gift for her huSDthu
She will spend days, and sometime
weeks. cmbroiderinG doilics and bureau
scarfS for her women friends, meaniim
giving broad hints ut the breakfast tahi
is TO how she envies Mrs. Brown he'
iur collarctte or Mrs. Jones dlamoh'
sunburst.
Then. just before Christmas. she pc
thinks herself that Johns present l. SUI
TO he chosen so. with a great SHOW
interest She asks for the neceSSaf.
FSifeck. and forthwith proceeds 10 go pu
MN another matchsafe or drcssln'