The Florida agriculturist., 1907-12-18


Probably the greater part of the
readers of this department have al
ready begun to make plans for their
Christmas giving. Perhaps some OF
them have plenty of money at their
disposal and so are enabled to buy
dainty gifts for all of their friends
without much worry or work. l am
sure there are some of them who are
in such circumstances that they do
not feel that they can spend much
for holiday presents. But | know just
how one longs to have lots of money
at Christmas time. It is such Joy
to give and sometimes we are apt to
feel discouraged because we have SO
little to do with and think it hardly
pays to try.
I know all about that too. 1t seems
hard to sit and plan and think and
scheme how to make or buy something
which will be appreciated even II OF
little cost, when some Of our friends
can do so much more and so much
more easily. But after all, | think they
are happy hours spent in this way
planning up pleasant little surprises tor
others. And it is good for us. 1t takes
our minds off from ourselves, and our
troubles. Doesn't it make you happy
to give to a dear friend or relative?
How ones heart does expand in the Joy
and pleasure of those around us.
It is often the little homemade gilt
which pleases the thoughtful recipient
more than the handsome and expensive
article purchased with, sometimes, am
sorry to say, hardly thought OF its
appropriateness. 1t is good to be able
to say or even think "Well, Ethel knew
l needed a good white apron, and how
dear it was Of her to spend so many OF
her busy moments in making one for
me. I shall always think lot OF it be-
cause she made it." Or perhaps it. is
only a pair of holders to protect the
busy hands from burns, or pair OF
plain towels hemstitched by the fingers
of your little daughter, or possibly it
is but Christmas note or postal card
with a CHEEKY holiday greeting written
in the familiar writing. What of it if
it doesn't cost much? She thought OF
you and probably wished she could do
more.
We don't think of this side Of the
questions as often as we ought. It is
a season for JOY and pleasure and en-
joyment instead of criticism and fault
finding and unhappiness for ourselves
and those about us. Turn over new
leaf before the beginning Of the New
Year and see what you can do to make
Christmas this year less Of farce and
more of a gift-time for all with whom
you come in contact, and in so doing
you will be happier yourself. 1--WE get
back our mete as we measure.'
Another correspondent of the same
paper, writing to the same department,
gives directions for making several
gifts for Christmas. We copy three,
which seem simple and useful:
File Cases: One of the paper file
cases that may be had at any store
where commercial stationery is sold
can be quickly converted into thing
of beauty that will appeal to any one,
man or woman, who likes to keep
memoranda or clippings in tab.slated
form. The cover may be a strip Of any
pretty, suitable material from cretonne
to tapestry.
A Spectacle Cleaner: This when
made from cut leather and filled with
chamois leaves is thoughtful gift, and
any little schoolgirl could certainly
manage to draw simple conventional
design on the ooze leather, afterward
cutting it away with sharp scissors and