The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-12
SOME PRACTICAL AND USEFUL
HINTS FOR CHRISTMAS BUYERS
Dainty Gifts TO be Found Among the accessories Of Fashion
abLe Dress.

Correspondence OF the Indianapolis Journal
NEW YORK, Dec. $40 give both wisely
and well means judgment combined with
taste and a discriminating consideration of
each friends habits needs by no means
always found. How many of us have
smiled over Mrs. Wilkins-Freemans RE
volt of Sophia Lane since the December
magazines were sent forth: yet how many
of have been guilty OF quite as little
forethought as those unwise folk who sent
chatting dish and fine doylies to a country
girl about 10 marry plain farmer a silver
cigar case TO a man who never smoked, and
did sundry similar things until Sophia was
driven 10 open rebellion and taught them
all lesson that each one of us might we'll
take TO heart. Among the many accessories
of modern dress to be found almost
numberless objects at once beautiful and
desirable, and with just a little care. We
should be able to choose something, not
alone good in itself, but suited to the recip-
lent and in keeping with his or her desires
as well as needs, for while absolutely use
less gifts are foolish in the extreme, mere
ly utilitarian offerings are apt to be a bit
prosaic and lacking in that Christmas
flavor in which lies half Of their charm.
1t is a season of beautiful laces and furs.
If the purse allow, one might with ease,
fill out lengthy list yet seek no further.
One and all we are familiar with the bigger
objects, with muffs and pelerines, lace
gowns and big collars but there a host
Of smaller things which make ideal gifts
and amply repay the thought involved.
Tiny neck scarfs of mole, squirrel, ermine,
all the short, soft-haired furs are exceed
ingly smart and are eagerly sought by all
the younger contingent. Also there are ex-
quisite wrist bags of fur with gold clasps,
and, in addition, fur-lined gloves for men
and fur-trimmed bedroom shoes for women
who seek and require warmth, to say moth
Ing of fur-lined heelless sort that are
shown for both sexes, both dainty and
charming for the girl and substantial and
durable for the man-all of which are cor
rect and up to date as We'll as inherently
desirable. Lace offers even a wider range
of choice. Whether ones limit must be set
at one dollar or can run up to figures of
any size, something good is to be found.
Among the latest novelties are berthas
which are shown in lace of various grades
and are charming in all. Surely it would
not be possible to be amiss in sending one
to any woman of taste who is yet young
enough for the style of dress. For the eld-
ers, and indeed for all ages. inasmuch as
they are worn in various ways, are collars
of point of duchess and of applique that
are superb yet do not mean excessive cost.
and whole host of the Venetian sorts that,
while machine made, are so wonderfully
beautiful in design and perfect in finish as
to seem quite beautiful enough to satisfy
even exacting taste. These collars are in
varying sizes, some big, giving a cape
effect. others smaller, but still big enough
to serve as garniture for waist. Ties, too,
are offered. and exquisteiy lovely they are.
and the little turn-overS and round-stock
collars, with pointed tabs. all in duchess
and point, and some very new ones In the
two combined.
THE TRADITIONAL HANDKERCHIEF.
Handkerchiefs are apt to appeal to the
imagination as bit trite. L recall with
amusement the busy woman who transact
ed all her Christmas shoppings in an hour,
having purchased handkerchiefs of different
sorts for every person on her list. But.
while such extreme would seem to indicate
lack Of thought, the handkerchiefs with
lace borders are by no means to be passed
by. Pretty ones can be bought for as little
as $3.50. the finish being genuine duchess
and from that price to $50, all grades and
all qualities, are to be seen. Wells, too
must be borne in mind. What woman of us
all would fail to be made glad by the re-
ceipt of the dainty ones either of real
thread or applique, or even one of the finer
machine made ones, which are really lovely
and make almost as good an effect. Again
had nearly forgot the tiny collar and cuff
sets, that are beautiful as well as useful
and for this holiday season are put up most
attractively and shown In both real and i'm.
itation lace, the lovely Jokes that are made
in single piece. and the many collars
with jabots, that are elegant and dainty
in one. Among these last are many com
bining lace Of two sorts. and others agar
made of lace with fine net, that are OF
somewhat less cost, yet scarcely less to b'
desired. and are graceful in the extreme
Simple, but scarcely less lovely, bertha.
and collars are of fine sheer muslin or liner
lawn and deliberately hand-embroidered
] while there is veritable craze for tn,
turnover collars and cuffs of cross stitci
| in Bulgarian colors. Sold ready to weal
| 81 to 81 a set, but the work is what makes
| the cost, and. as It is only simple cross
| stitch, they can be made with ease by an,
| one who has time to spare. The accepted
| material is linen etamine of the heavy sort
whose threads are so loosely woven it il
quite easy to count, and the work is dom
| either with wash silks or with French cot
| ton, as may be preferred, little books o
| designs being obtainable that are quite fas
cinatingly reminiscent OF the old-time SAN,
| pier, with its marvellous borders. Bea,
| work is not new, neither the Indian sor
| nor the beautiful crocheted and knitted de
signs, but some fresh things are to be seel
| nevertheless. In the craze for old fashion
revived we have long knit purses wit
/ rings, that useful we'll as charming
| and the bag purses OF generous size still
! keep their place. while card cases and tn
| like are shown among smaller objects, an,
! there are some new small purses made en-
| tirely of beads in single color. Indial
! bead work bids fair to be overdone, but 70
| the time the better designs in chains an
/