Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-06
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and patience, if one selects wisely, there
are parcels to be mailed to distant friends,
the Christmas goodies made ready Gor
mince meat plum pudding and Christmas
cake need time to ripen), while the children
themselves are constantly in evidence, be-
seeching counsel, suggestions and help In
the preparation of the little gifts they de-
sire to bestow. While 1t would be much
ca ier to take hold and make the butterfly
penwiper over which Mary is running out
her tongue and pricking her small fingers
in the attempt to get his yellow silk spots
in all right it would not give Mary nor the
destined recipient of the chronological
specimen half the pleasure to be derived
from her own handiwork. even though ef-
fected under your constant supervision.
Chester has devouring ambition to make
an Illuminated text in water colors for his
teacher-the motto, of his own selection,
being DO unto others as they would do
unto you" This also requires much con-
sultation. as does Summers and Roberts
and Karl's expenditure of long boarded
nickels and dimes-for appropriate gifts
covering a wide circle of friends. What
to get for the children themselves Is also a
matter for serious thought. In this con-
nection a splendidly practical idea for a
Christmas gift for boys from eight to thir-
teen years of age comes from California.
A half dozen boys in the same neighbor-
hood-great chums-are each to receive as
their Christmas present a set of the most
necessary carpenter tools. Not play ones,
but real saws hammers, planes, etc. An
unused barn belonging to one of the fam
lilies interested is to be fitted up with
carpenters bench and stocked with neces-
sary lumber and nails A good carpenter
is engaged to give lessons three times a
week after school, and here the boys will
be pleasantly indicted into the practical
working knowledge of a craft that will
stand them in good stead all their lives.
This training of the hand as we'll as the
brain Is not only calculated to give the boys
confidence in their own ability to take care
of themselves, come what may, but affords
them exercise and an outlet for energy that
too often leads them into mischief when al
lowed to run the streets in pursuit of amuse-
ment.
For the woman who wishes to get some
thing a little out of the ordinary for her
Christmas membranes. the large book
shops offer special attractions. For the
bride-elect there is an attractively made
book bound either in full cloth or assorted
colors n morocco. with special rulings and
headlines intended for the purpose of keep
ing record of bridal gifts. with printed
headings for description of the gift, donor,
address, &c. These range in price from 81
to S475, and may have special stamping II
desired.
For the prospective ocean traveller there
are a number of different blank books to
choose from large and small, bound in
cloth or leather to suit taste or depth of
purse. A very convenient one that comes
as low 81 and is of dimensions easily
carried contains pages to be filled out with
the name of the steamer, notes and Incl
dents log record both outward and home
ward bound, complete set of merchant
flags, signal codes and pilot flags of differ
ent nations, tables showing the difference in
time maps and instructions for games
likely to be played on the vessel
For the housekeeper who is devoted to
her linen closets there is a real edition de
luxe with lock and kew, for keeping her
lists. This is intended for the record Of all
household linen, arranged in systematic
order. There is an index for tablecloths
napkins. bed linen. kitchen linen and mis-
cellaneous articles
For the woman who is thankful enough
to get the linen. and has not sucn store
but that she can easily carry the lists in
her own head, the linen shops offer a wealth
of dainty and practical Suggestions A new
feature in table linens are the round cloths !
for the now popular circular tables. Sizes
range from two to four wards in diameter
and prices from $50 to $40 ward, accord |
ing to size and elaborate needlework. The |
most expensive ones have rich lace centers
with deep irregular lace borders set in like |
medalions. Among the choice and beautiful |
designs are the king Arthur" with per
fectly plain centers and deep hanging lace
borders, and those with designs in lilacs
beauty roses.
Speaking of the embroidered cloths. men
ton must be made of the fashionable en-
broidered Japanese grass linen for use on
dining and tea table. Some are in white |
embroidered with blue. others In blue en-
broidered with white. some covered with
butterflies, others with flying storks. These
are all a yard and a quarter square, with |
wide hemstitched hens. and are said to
wash as easily as piece of cotton.
Sets of doilies come in the dark blue with
white embroidery. and are sold In ouanti-
ties to be used without a tablecioth for
breakfast luncheon or Sunday night tea
Sets include centerpieces. plate and tum-
bier doilies.
towels scalloped hemstitched edges are
considered preferable to a fringed end A
dainty set of doiies In plain fine linen. with |
scalloped edge, are embroidered with de-
tached shamrocks.
Orders are taken at many of the stores !
now to have cloths and napkins embroid- |
cred with initials-which gives individual |
ity to a very useful gift. All presents of |
household linen seem much daintier if ac- !
companied by sachet bag of lavender.
Mince Pie-And now for the mince pie, |
which has from time immemorial been |
counted Indispensable factor In the |
Christmas dinner. An invitation to din |
ed that 1t would consist of "a messe Of |
plum pottage; a sirloin of roasted beef and |
a minced pie" Still earlier the mince pie |
was called shred pie. and was. usually |
made of mutton. In preparing the mince- |
meat 1t is a saving of energy to make |
enough at one time to last an winter. Prop |
erly made 1t grows richer with age, and 1t |
is always a convenience to have on hand. |
A. good. rich family mincemeat may be |
made as follows. though additions and sub
fractions are always in order: Chopped
prunes are, deemed by many an improve
ment of currants, while any bit Of left
over Jelly, fruit syrup. candied cherries or I
orange peel may always be added to ad- I
vantage. |
one peck tart apples, preferably Green
inas chopped one pound of suet, shredded
and chopped, four pounds stoned or seed
less raisins one pound soft brown sugar, |
one Quart of mplasses. two quarts of sweet
cider. one pint of boiled cider, two pounds /
~ currants or prunes. one-half pound cit
ron cut in the thinnest possible shreds, one
quarter. cupful salt. one teaspoonful white |
pepper two nutmegs. one tablespoonful |
Of cinnamon and one teaspoonful each all I
spice mace and cloves. Brandy. sherry
or rose water may be added at the last If
dc sired This mince meat may be cooked /
or not. usually prefer to just bring it to