Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-10-15
FOR AUTUMN BRIDES
SOME TIMELY HINTS IN THE MAT
TER OF WEDDING PRESENTS.
Opportunity for Exercise Of 1ndivid-
ual Taste-Lots to Choose
From.
Written for The Evening Star

Written for The Evening Star.
If all bride elects were as considerate and
thoughtful Of their relatives and friends
bank accounts as a recent aspirant to ma
trimonial honprs who had engraved on her
wedding cards, A'"The favor Of no wedding
present is requested, many of these same
friends would heave a sigh Of relief. Such
an announcement is undoubtedly reminis-
cent of the funeral notices IN which please
omit flowers figures, still In most cases it
would be appreciated.
We all know young married people who
are almost reduced to state of bankruptcy
because so many of their friends have gone
and done likewise. When the question OF
buying a present arises one hears the
lament: 1.-The So-and-sos sent us that hor-
rid cracker jar. Now, Dick, we shall have
to send Helen cut glass or something" And
Dick groans, for he thinks how many things
that money would buy. probably not SO or
namental, but decidedly more useful than
cut glass. The way too, of the wedding
present giver is in another direction often
as hard as that Of the proverbial transgres-
sor, for who has not been a witness to the
ungracious reception accorded Hymen's Of
ferings. Another cut glass bowl, and that
the fifth, too, and large enough to hold
salad for ten. Why Is anybody such an
idiot as to suppose that two people starting
in life in a modest way will need five cut
glass bowls?" And so it goes. At least
four of these glittering giants will be of no
earthly use, and the young housewife will
have to stow them away on the top shelf
of cupboard, wash them herself and en-
gage expert packers to do them up every
time they move. OF course you say, These
duplicates may be exchanged" but how few
donors are thoughtful enough to inclose a
card naming the shop at which they were
purchased?
Greater Variety Now.
But in the last few years the character of
wedding presents has changed, and one is
not restricted to a choice Of silver, glass or
jewelry. as In other perhaps more senti-
mental though less practical days.
1t is now quite permissible for close
friends and relatives to give the bride lux
urious accessories of dress. such as furs,
fans. laces and even handmade lingerie
and household linen. and In one instance
number of chums Joined forces and dec
Grated and furnished the living room-cer-
tafnly a sensible and delightful gift.
When the bride and groom intend to keep
house one can hardly go astray In sending
furniture. II antique specimens the better.
Hall sets In mahogany or less expensive
woods consisting of a settle, two large
chairs and table or even a single large
chair or an odd little table or desk for the
drawing room would be appropriate. Pieces
of French bronze are exquisite gifts, aad
disdain to design inkstands clocks and
etroliers, small object of this kind may
be thing of artistic worth. For less ex-
pensiye presents the arts and craft work Is
lovely. Beautiful lamps OF green compost
ton ware bearing the stamp OF this cult
are the very last thing, Then there are all
sorts of odd old brasses which are such a
fad now. and the new-old luster ware, and
there are pewter mugs, candlest1cks and
mirrors innumerable to choose from.
q
bride camefs hair shawl. so does GER
tain old bachelor always give a rug, and
can tell you they are so beautiful that 1t Is
almost worth the risk of matrimony to get
one. Any of the real oriental weaves IN
rugs are charming in tone. and small
wine-colored Bokhara makes a rich. glow
ing spot in a room, whether laid on the
floor or thrown on some upholstered seat.
The Best Of All.
But the gift Of all others that delights
the smart bride Is genuine old, massively
carved chest. in which to keep the extra
supply Of linen or the more prosaic shirt
waists.
Among the more practical gifts are hand
somely embroidered linen table covers.
lunch spreads or teacloths and monogTamed
sheets. Indeed. linen is always welcome TO
the young woman who goes to housekeep-
Ing. from the large pieces down to the
dolly embroidered by the donor. A beauti-
full cloth worked for bride-elect Is on
heavy Russian linen. plain except for an
enormous wreath of dolphins with tails IN
tertwined. outlining what on bare table
would be large centerpiece. The entire
design, which Is first heavily padded, Is
worked In white cotton. Heavy Russian
lace finishes the cloth. which Is round.
In the way of pictures the wisest selection
Is good etching or a fine photograph OF
noted painting The etching must not be
after a painting. but one that was never
meant 10 De anything else save an etching.
Drawn on the plate in the 0Tst place-that