The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-15

Christmas Dofeg and Dmfg.


new meaning and special value if they
are given a little touch of originality in
the way of an amusing or appropriate in
scription.
After the warfare, the disasters by fire
and tempest, the blood-curdling crimes,
the massacres, the cruel race conflicts,
the strikes, the riots, the general turmoil
OF the year drawing to close, may the
peace of the coming Christmas time come
like a soothing balm to all aching hearts.
Girls should not send any gift, even a
card, to young man whom they have
known but short time. Nice young
men do not care for such tokens of
friendship, and there are few men who
would look upon them as evidences of
regard which is never appreciated unless
solicited. Don't make yourself cheap.
A sachet bag redolent of violet powder
and puffed up in the pride of lace ruff
ffes and satin ribbons may be in your
eyes '.just too sweet for anything" but
don't give it to your grandmother on that
account. TO her plain cloth affair to
hold her spectacleS and her knitting
would be an appropriate and appreciated
gift.
OF all the Christmas green's the tree
is the articratic monarch. Used not so
much as an actual decoration, it figures
as the central ornament In the Christmas
festivities It's trimming Is a matter of
mystery, its burden of lights, tinsel and
finery the rarest spectacle that juvenile
eyes ever look upon, and It's brief but
triumphant career an epoch in home life
to be long remembered
The practice of making presents on
that day undoubtedly owes it's origin to
a general idea to carry into practice the
Biblical mandate, peace on earth; good
will to men," At first the great lords made
presents to their retainers, and the sea-
son was marked by universal charity. By
degrees the practice Of Christmas giving
spread until now everybody gives his
friends presents.
There are other considerations besides
appropriateness that go to make up the
value of a Christmas gift, Independent
Of tho price paid for it. One of these is
the spirit in which it is given. duty
present-one that is made simply because
it is expected, and not because of real
affection or esteem that flowers out in
the shape Of a gifts valueless, no mat
ter how much money it has cost.
The great toy center of the world is
Bavaria. From the towns Of Nurem-
berg, Fuerth and Sonneberg come nine
tenths of the toys, made in Europe. The
famous French doll is made in Nurem-
berg, as are also many fine mechanical
contrivances, such as walking dogs and
cats and other animals with natural fur,
which. according to popular supposition,
are the direct output of the French capt.
tai
In many parts of England candles are
Put in the windows on Christmas eve,
and the village seems Illuminated the ir-
habitants little suspecting that this usage
is thousands of years old and had its
origin in the fact that every devout fire
worshiper kindled fresh fire on his
hearthstone on the eve of the sun god
festival and opened his doors and win
doWs, too, If he had any, to let the blaze
shine out into the darkness
There are people who manage to re-
member everyone with some simple,
dainty Gift, or perhaps only a Christmas
letter full of love, sympathy and good
will, and they contrive to do this without
neglecting any Of the duties of the daily
life without Fuckers and wrinkles and
froWns of anxiety and worry; on the con-
trary, with faces growing more and more
radiant with the joy of giving and re-
Numbering and doing.
Santa Claus is of German origin This
is true if only because that is the Dutch
name for st. Nicholas. That he is an old
ic IN,
feasts in celebration Of the decay Of the
old year and the birth of the new an
old man played the principal part Among
the Greeks and Romans it was Saturn,
the father of all the gods, and among
the Germans it was Thor, who was long
bearded and white haired
The Christmas tree is said to have been
used to place gifts on as early as $780,
adopted in France In 1885 or Whereabouts,
and FIST introduced into England by
Prince Albert the Christmas following
his marriage to Victoria The custom
has always been observed at Windsor
castle since then, ''the queens tree" for
her majesty's gifts; another for the
royal children and grandchildren, and
the third for the members of the house,
hold
The Calvinists and the Puritans were
particularly bitter against the introduce
ton of pagan customs into Christian
celebrations and would not tolerate the
use OF Christmas trees and evergreens
the burning of the Yule log and like
fashions. Our pilgrim fathers showed
their disdain for the observance of
Christmas by refusing to notice 1t. The
year they landed at Plymouth they work.
ed hard all day Christmas and gloried
in their freedom from the superstitious
customs that had been adopted by their
fellow Christians.
During the middle ages the whole
Christmas season was given up to revels
and jollity, in which eating and drinking
had prominent part. The Saxon In
stinct of our English ancestors led them
to make of every holiday an occasion for
feasting. Plenty to eat and to drink
was their Idea of a festival, no matter
how sacred might be its associations. On
Christmas they not only lined their
stomachs with good capon, as did
Shakespeare's justice, but stuffed them
selves with all sorts of rich, nourishine
food and strongly compounded puddings
and pies.
CHRISTMAS DINNERS.
Roast Turkey. Bread Stuf1ng.
Cranberry Jelly.
Mashed Potatoes. Spinach