The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1907-12-19
~Idees for Gifts and Houze Dscorationsk

L @ " IN AAa A0SAC4 1SNiO llilpGluOS-
ny Of our time and race led us to mar
this beautiful holiday by the very zeal
with which we observe it2 Is it not true
that the secret feeling of many toward
Christmas is one OF dread? There is so
much work to be done for it, SO much
expense, and 50 many ~perplesing prob
lens to be solved.
Many there are who bemoan the
modern methods of observance. but
few as yet who have the courage of
their convictions sufficiently to attempt
n reform. They say and say truly.
that it is easier to criticize than to
correct. Yet if we know that a thing
we are doing is wrong, there should
be no evading our duty to try to right
Perhaps the greatest evil of the sea-
son is the indiscrfminate, extravagant
exchange of gifts. Long lists of names
are made out. OF people who have sent
gifts last year n who therefore must
receive this year a present OF at least
equal value. The tendency In such ex-
changes is for the gifts to grow more
expensive each Christmas. II the truth
were known. both parties to the tran
saction would be greatly relieved IL
the simple method Of cancellation. Of
ten the receipt of q handsome gift
brings only dismay to the recipient.
Lillian Bell tells of a woman who was
presented with a fish set costing at
least $500. She viewed the magnificent
gift with white face and clenched
hands. She knew an exchange was ex-
pected by the giver-a thing simply inn
possible for her to do. In this case the
matter seemed to the unhappy woman
nothing short of a tragedy.
Desperate cases require desperate
remedies, so in some instances the best
cure will be to write all ones friends
early in the autumn that one will give
absolutely no Christmas presents that
year and requesting that as a token Of
their friendship they should send none
to the writer. The following year the
field will be clear sc that a list can be
made out just of those to whom one can
really give In h true Christmas spirit.
II the least Idea of exchange is embod-
led In my name, 1t should be omitted.
There are many friends for whom one
has the most genuine kindly feelings.
Yet to express this feeling to all these
friends by means of merchantable ar
ticles is a heavy burden and places
them under an obligation. Why not ex-
press these sentiments directly In wore
instead of o~bscurely conveying them
through the medium OF things which
they could easily buy for themselves.
La Christmas letter may give free ex-
preston to all the appreciative loving
thoughts one has OF ones friend. And
as In our day we do not often permit
ourselves unreserved expressions of our
deepest feelings, the receipt of such a
letter will warm the heart of ones true
friend as few presents would.
Two classes of people there are, how
ever Whn phN,,1I he rnronroha~a1 ~y{fl
tangible gifts-the little children and
the poor. In thus adding to their hap
piness we will be carrying out the
beautiful idea OF the little child who
said: w must make Jesus enjoy this
birthday. mustn't we mamma?"
Tracing the custom of giving pres
ents at Christmas back to its origin we
find it began or hat first holy Christ
mas day when the wise men of the
east brought gifts of gold, franklin
cense and myrrh and laid before the
! child. They brought Of their best, as a
token Of their love and reverence for
the One who was to be the Savior Of
mankind. We can do no better than
to remember in all our Christmas plans
their spirit and that of the song Of the
angels, Peace en- earth, good will to
men,"
oIbe oApSI vi
Christmas.
In everything that is connected with
our Christmas time tradition plays a
large part.
The holly with which our homes are
decorated was, in olden times, consid-
cred sacred. for the legend ran that
1t was the crown of Christ.
The old story told Of the Christmas
tree is this: When Eve plucked the
fatal apple Immediately the leaves be-
came needle points and the bright
green turned dark. 1t changed it's ma
ture and became the whole
year round, thereby preac ling the story
of mans fall, and only on Christmas
does it bloom with lights and love
gifts. The curse is changed to a
blessing by the coming Of the Christ
The custom of feasting and merrf-
ment on Christmas day dates back for
centuries. In the days of Queen Eliza
beth we are told that sixteen courses
OF meat were often served" Bears
head was he piece de resistance, fol-
lowGd by Drawn, geese. turkeys, ca
pons n sometimes roasted swan.
Shred pies. as mince pies were first
called, and plum buildings OF huge
dimensions were the accepted articles
OF dessert. Drinking was an import
ant part Of the feast. The wassail
bowl with It's contents Of spiced sweet
ened wine, with an apple floating on
the top, was passed around the table
again n again.
At the latter part OF the eighteenth
century the feasting seemed to be the
one important feature of Christmas
observance. Benjamin Franklin con-
tributed to these occasions his receipt
for punch in tho following verse:
Boy, bring a bowl Of china here!
Flu 1t with water. cool and clear,
Decanter with jamaica ripe,
And spoon of silver. clear and bright,
sugar. twice find, in pieces cut,
knife sieve and glass in order put:
BRING forth the fragrant fruit and then
We're happy till the clock strike tent"
We still eat, drink and make merry
on this festal day. The old traditions
come down to us through the centuries
softened but invested with the charm
OF the long ago. Though fanciful, ex-
traVagant and at times even gruesome,
these traditions were always reverent.
We OF the twentieth century with all
our new ideas may learn from these
old legends the spirit OF reverence.
Concerning Christmas Gifto.
In selecting p~reSantS for ona'c