Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-03
FOR UNUSUAL GIFTS
Artistic Effects Attained in
Recent Showings.
WELCOME PRESEN rs
UNCOMMON ARTICLES GIVE MOST
PLEASURE.
Looking Around Among What the
Little and Big Shops
Are Offering.
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
With the beginning of December the
thoughts of all womankind at least must
turn to the holiday season. SO fast APP
preaching and its attendant duties and
pleasures.
To some only the one side appears: What
they must do, whether they want to or not,
in the way of making gifts; to others all
giving is a pleasure only limited by the
means at their disposal.
1t really seems, indeed, that those who
have least in the way of worldly wealth are
the most generous in spirit and plan to
bestow much more accordingly than many
of their richer friends Indeed, the healthy
pinch of just enough ~ is often a spur to
one whose pleasure lies in gift-making, and
with untiring energy and interest she will
work until Christmas is here, that no mem
Der of the family, no outside relative, friend
or dependent may be aforementioned when
Christmas day dawns at last.
To an inventive mind it is a pleasing exer-
else to think of the suitable thing for each
prospective recipient and the gifts that
show some loving thought has made that
particular selection are those most highly
appreciated as usual tning.
The Always Ready.
There are many staples in the world of
Christmas presents, and each returning sea-
son shows quantities of the same things
displayed or concocted that we have seen
from time immemorial They have been
tried and proved and not found wanting
and are just as acceptable as ever they
were In the years gone by.
One hopes for novelties, however, and
sometimes finds them, sometimes not If
the latter Is the case one settles down on
some time-honored object, which, however,
may have touch Of novelty in its treat
ment or combination. Everything pertain
ing to arts and crafts is specially alluring
at this season, and hand work in all lines
is considered as most desirable.
Displays from the various handicraft work
rooms are distributed all over the coun-
try and are more tempting to many people
especially all Of crtistic mold, than the
machine-made goods Of the large shops.
Few and Rare.
Possibly the suggestion Of seeming scare
ity may add zest to these articles, for
one never finds them in such quantities as
factory-made goods, and we all like a thing
that Is out of the common, and that has
touch of rarity about it.
All the copper, brass and silver hand
made or beaten utensils are most interest
ing, and many beautiful things are to be
found in their ranks.
The handmade jewelry has created a
furore the past few years, and much indi-
viduality is displayed in the unique set
tings, and often beautiful, sometimes BIZ
zarre, designs employed.
A Bit Of Jewelry.
All costumes are enhanced by something
in the way of jewelry, harmonizing in color,
and as all styles are shown, the substantial
as well as dainty and delicate, each pur-
chaser may be sure Of finding something
suitable. whether for morning, afternoon or
evening wear.
Everything pertaining to lamps and can
dies is of interest, for now both are SO
much used for town and country houses
that there is great demand for them.
Nothing very novel has appeared in lamp
shades, the best being those following the
lead of the Tiffany lamps, glass of opales-
cent hues combined with dull green bronze
mountings seeming the favorites.
The Japanese dome-shaped paper shades,
with bamboo ribs, are perhaps the best
lower-priced shades
In candlesticks Arts and Crafts workers
have many forms to show; from Chicago
come some fascinating ones-tall, slender,