Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-23
Table and Kitchen.
Christmas is Joyful Only to Those
Who Give.


began,
Sing Of glory to God and Of good will to
man!
Most of the congratulated important
American holidays are .ignificant only to
those who can look back to long line OF
American ancestors who lived through the
events which gave occasion for these es-
pecial celebrations. But Christmas is hu-
manity's broad day. The day when every
class of people In every land should enjoy
a good time: should feel that the spirit OF
peace. good will toward men, extends to
even the least Of them.
Let the spirit Of love and good will open
the hands Of those who are blessed with
plenty and scatter bounty and blessings on
every side: and let there be none left to
grieve alone on this day when the very at
mosphere seems breathing toyousness and
love.
To many Chrfstmastide brings little but
the memories Of happier days. But In such
homes let not the hearthstone grow cold or
the heart Of the mistress closed; for II home
ties be broken there yet remains her kin
ship with all humanity, and to some OF
these. at least, she owes obligations OF hos
pitality at this season. II at no other time.
Remember that Christmas is a day OF CIV
ing joy to others and II that giving be done
through spirit of brotheriy love, an un:
selfish desire to make others happy, we will
find that in the pleasure Of doing we Will
see the face 81 happiness and pleasures that
come unlocked for are thrice welcome.
While Christmas day is one of family re-
unions, its significance gives 1t broader
meaning than an occasion for mere gratih-
cation In eating, drinking and enjoying the
companionship Of those most near and dear
to us. The day Is most opportune for put
ting into practical working the familiar ad-
monition-'Love thy neighbor as myself"
Not thy rich neighbor but the one to whose
envfous eyes your lives are seeming Christ
mas all the year round. If because your
means are limited you feel that 1t Is not
incumbent upon you to make a feast and
bid him to it, better send him the turkey
and "fxins' as sacrffcial offering on your
part and let him enjoy on this one day OF
the year not only the luxury of real
Christmas dinner in his own home, but the
knowledge that in one heart dwells not only
the spirit OF peace, good will to all men,
but brotherly love. one for another, that
can so far efface all thought of self as to
forego the qualification of this part Of the
days pleasure, that less prosperous
brother may have this yearly feast of joy.
With our Christmas membranes to the
poor, let us see to 1t that the true spirit OF
the day encircles them round about like a
loving benediction and no suggestion Of
"charEy." that hated word among the hon.
est to.ling poor. shall creep in to jangle the
sweet bells out Of tune. Remember that
he who rudely filings crust to beggar
has. indeed. supplied food for a hungry
body. but has robbed both himself and the
beggar Of what was their due-himself Of
the joy OF showing forth the spirit of Jesus
and the beggar that feeling Of fellowship
with God and man. that places him in the
good times that the spirit Of the day
should impart."
The Christmas Dinner.
Christmas dinner seems tG be one Of the
fixed considerations of life, but in many
homes 1t has ceased to be such a matter
OF grave importance as formerly, although
1t is still given with utter disregard to all
dietetfc rules In most households, and 1t is
brave reformer. indeed, who will suggest
any very radical change in the menu Of a
good, old-fashioned Christmas dinner.
When we look over the list of dishes
which were considered necessary for the
yuletfde feasts of merry old England Of long
ago. We marvel how they did it. Think OF
serving up
Salmon, venison and wild boars,
By hundreds, dozens and by scores,
Hogsheads of honey. kilderkins Of mustard,
Fium-puddings, pancakes. apple pies and
custards, etc.
And the labor the preparations involved.
1t Is well to bear in mind Emerson's def
milton OF true hospitality when we invite
friend or stranger within gates to en-
JOY this most democratic of all our public
celebrations. Il pray you, most excellent
wife! cumber not yourself and me to get a
curiously rich dinner for this man or wo-
man who have just alighted at your gate.
nor bed chamber made ready at too
great cost; these things, if they are de-
sirous of them, they can get for a few
shillings at any village inn; but rather let
the stranger see, if he will. in your looks,
accents and behavior your heart and ear
nestness. your thought and will. that
which he cannot buy at any price, in any
city, and which he may travel miles, and
dine sparely and sleep hardly, to behold.
Let not the emphasis of hospitality lie in
bed and board. but LET trnth nd
honor and courtesy, flow in all your deeds"
Table Decorations.
These, as we'll as the house adornments.
must be of such nature as will impart the
sense Of warmth and cheer. Endeavor to
fill the atmosphere with the Christmasy
breath Of the pine trees and such spicy
doors as suggest the good things of life
Counterfeit in every way the gloom or the
cold without. This year we are threatened
with scarcity Of holly for our yuletide
decorations. When Christmas greens are
difficult to obtain we may make very fair
substitutes with the green crepe papers,
which can be made into very close repre-
sensations Of the natural greens. and knots
and loops OF narrow scarlet ribbon will
give the dashes of color in lieu Of the holly
berries. Red applies. essentially the Christ
mas fruit, polished until bright and glossy
and dark evergreen ferns are easily OBJ
tained and make very appropriate and
be autiful Christmas table decorations. Red
shades for the candles, bows of red and
green ribbon, red and green bonbons, all
aid In carrying out the color scheme, and
individual fancy will suggest their arrange
ment in accordance with surroundings
The Christmas Dishes.
In merry old England. famous as
Christmas-keeping country, the boar's head
has been replaced by roast beef until re-
Gently. and now the American turkey Is
winning its way to the high place on the
banquet board. In New England the roast
goose has relegated to the past the former
piece de resistance, roast pig. Wild turkey
and mince pie have always been considered
pre-eminently American. although the lat
ter Is quite as symbolical as the world
honored plum pudding. Both these crea-
tions are supposed to be mathematical of
the rich offerings made by the three kings
to the infant Savior in the stable at Beth
lehem. The original mince pie was made
in the shape Of cradle to represent the
manger. The small pies which followed
later were made like tiny collins, a form
too suggestive OF the impending fate await
ing the overfed Christmas guest to in
crease the feeling Of joIity.
For Christmas Breakfasts and Suppers
While these should be light and plain.
they may also partake of the nature NJ the