The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1904-12-31

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as great gift day as Christmas. AS
result, each year finds an irlcreas-
ing multiplicity of gifts suitable tc
the first day of the year.
To the superstitious may be sent
paper weights of rabbits nibbling a
four-leaved clover; stork standing
beside a little thermometer or a pair
of mounted jockeys in the midst of a
race.
In dainty bronze fancies in the way
of inkstands and ash receivers Of the
cheaper variety are rabbits, in cos
tune, holding ash bowls; little
gnomes playing under toadstools,
whose tops lift and disclose inkwells,
and dainty bird and butterfly fancies
in bronze, each suggesting fad OF
the person to whom the article may
be sent.
The sentiment of a fresh candle
and a fresh seal for the New Year
is a pretty one. Desk candlesticks
and seal handles of silver, bronze,
gun metal or china are always ac-
ceptable gifts. They should be ac-
companied by candles and wax of a
color known to be preferred to the
recipient.
Handsomely mounted desk blotting
pads are also suitable presents, sug-
gesting the turning of a clean leaf
for the imprint of the New Year.
A gift for a coquette represents a
heart-shaped pincushion of sanguine
hue, held by a bright little Cupid ;
while the convivial young man is
made happy by an artistic silver
stand holding four glasses, enameled
with diamonds, hearts, clubs and
spades, the whole standing in an or
namental tray.
. The oaaaae yoInE f11nra would ~aP-
preciate one of the new holders for
cordial glasses. The tray consists of
a narrow strip of carved or stained
wood, with from six to twelve sill
yer pegs standing along the center,
and finished with a graceful metal
handle. The bottoms of the cordial
glasses fit over the pegs, so that there
is no danger of their tipping over.
The sentimental young man is no
less delighted with one of the import
ed double miniature frames. These
do not stand sedately side by side,
but rest separately at the bottom and
Jean together affectionately at the
top, under the constraint of silver
true-lovers' knot.
In remembrance of the once uni
versallly observed custom of enter
tanning lavish1y on New Years day
comes handsome gift to house
wife of large tray of beaten copper,
the edge formed of punches Of
grapes, and standing on little feet,
in the style of the reign of Queen
Anne. In the center is a superb bowl
of glass. Twelve similarly fashioned
copper cups hold punch glasses.
Something useful to man and maid
alike is desk scale for weighing
mail. These appear in so many dain-
ty fashions and are so suggestive OF
New Year resolutions, when one de-
termines to weigh all deeds in the
balance, that calendar with one of
them would form useful present.
The sort of calendar that delights
a child represents a boy shooting the
days of the year out of a cannon. An
other scarcely less pleasing depicts a
mechanical arrangement by which
pretty children, in a holly wreath,
roll a SNOWFALL around the months
of the year.
For those who love art, a hand
some calendar, in four panels, in
cludes four of the most famous Ma
donnas known to art painted on a
dull gold ground and having three
months to each panel.
The Dutch tile calendar, whose
name suggests its decorative plan, is
particularly pretty. All the new de-
corative ideas are charmingly ex-
plotted on the wall calendars for the
coming year.
In the way of desk calendars there
is limitless selection of artistic OBJ
jects in metal, jewels, leather and
paper. Novelties in the way of purse
and card-case calendars are also pro-
vided for that absent-minded person
who SO often interrupts others with
the question, "What day is it?'
Quite novelty of the season is
the gift cloth" 1t is made of a
heavy sort of silk and satin weave, is
framed in gold braid, and has strap
by which to hang it on the wall OF
boudoir or bedroom. One such cloth
has a peacock, in white and gold,
worked over the center, the wing OF
the bird forming a catch-all. Another
such pocket at the top is white and
gold embroidered heart, while an open
fan, worked in the same colors, forms
a third pocket at the bottom. A dain-
ty calendar is set on the white and
gold heart.
AS merry day as Christmas is
for the children, it is usually rather
quiet for the grown people, their
principal occupation being to watch
the young folks enjoy themselves.
From Christmas until New Year,