Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1907-12-22

N.stletOe sprays. green WfeatnS aL0
yards Of holly aud red ribbon always
coujure a mental picture Of that frs;
Christmas celebration az Bethlehem.
where the shepherds. kneeliug before the
Infant Saviour. offered gifts OF myrrh
and fraukjncense. with only their guiding
star to illumine the solemn scene For
nearly 900 years the happiness and the
thaaEluiuess Of those pilgrims has annual
Is forrl an echo in millions of hearts
throughout Christeudom. What wonder.
then. that the days preceding the ami
versary OF the wOndrous sl.racle should
be harry ones for not only are there
gifts To he selected for kiusfo.k. friends
and those wards 81 Christ. the poor.
uhom Nc have always with us box there
a-a more or less elaborate preparations
fc- the week % festivities. beginning
with that most important of feasts. the
Christmas dinner.
Heads Of households which include sew
eraI young children naturally give most
attention 60 the rooms frequented hy
them. ard especially those to be used FOR
the Christmas Eve party Il Is wisest TO
decorate such rooms chiefly with green
garlands. wreaths and red ribbons. placed
too high 70 be iuterfered with by curious
small fingers. All OF the pictures aud mir
r0r frames may be decorated with
wreaths tied with large rel satin bows.
while the chandeliers and doorways
should display sprays Of mlstletoe. 1t Is
best not TO place plants where there is
any chance OF their being overturned.
for children are liable 10 get a tribe too
hilarious when the time approaches for
the doors Of the room containing the
gifts. to he thrown open. In the largest
room in the house. where the Christmas
trees. looking like lovely ladies in
sparkling petticoats. holding up their
skirts with Glittering fingers" are usually
placed. few. decorations are necessary. be-
yond wreaths in each window and above
each door. Tor the hinge, ceiling -scraping
pine IS going out OF date. as hostesses
find It much easier 10 get several medium
sized trees into house. There are so
many charming ornaments TO be used as
tree decorations that selection is some
what difficult. especially as electric con-
trivances make 1t quite safe to use paper
novelties. like cotIllion favors. Most
hostesses no longer place any gifts upon
the trees. as taking them of involves so
much labor TO the officiating Santa Clans.
Instead Of the fir branches bearing salts
factory fruit in the form Of toys for the
minors. Jewels and furs for the elders
and checks and bonds for the mature
each person Is awarded a small separate
table decorated with n miniature central
tree.
Because FIR branches so quickly dry IN
steam-heated houses many people prefer
huge palms in massive green jars. placing
one In each corner. and making a charm
ing background for floral and ribbon trim
mings. Foliage plants are frequently
used without flowers. as delightful color
effects may be gained by grouping them
in their vase-shaped baskets OF wood
green. brown or holly red.
The possibilities Of electric lighting In
connection with a decoration scheme are
endless. One hostess will reproduce
Faust's garden by placing masses Of red
roses in every available spot and con-
cealinE amongst them electric lights to
be turned MP the instant after the can
dies. which will at first dim.y light the
room. have been suddenly extiaguished.
II Will OF course. be necessary to re-
serve this novelty until all the dinner
guests have assembled. Such long -stem-
med roses as American Beauties look es-
pecially we'll in tall vases standing upon
the floor They may be grouped about
the bow windows. at door arches or near
the fireplace. and any amount Of green
vreathIng and rope work may be used In
connection with them.
Illies-of- the-valley in crystal flower
holders are most effective. Like any
white flower they are especially adapted
for Christmas bridal trimmings. and as
the most recent bride is always the hon
Ored guest at Christmas party lilies
are In great demand.
For rooms decorated IN pompadour col
ors where deep red ard green shades
do not harmonic. the begonia Is much
sought for. Such plants. about two feet