The Washington herald., 1912-12-08
The Small Fry and Christmas Giving

A young mother said to me, II abso-
lutely dread the fall-the children begin
pestering me what to make for Christ
mas and I'm as devoid Of ideas as Of
time"
This too common state is unnecessary
II mothers would do a little planning
and select gifts their little ones can
make without constant supervision
Children trained in kindergartens quick
ly learn to use their hands and can turn
out surprisingly nice work at an early
age. All they need is directions. And
be sure that direction is wise. Never
let your child make a gift that has
neither appearance nor meaning; when
there are so many equally simple things
that have both.
FASTING is not beyond a child OF five
or six, thus they can easily turn out the
blotter calendars that every grown up
finds useful Buy sets of dozen blot
tiers for cents-they come ready cut-a
calendar pad of 1913 for or 4 cents, and
three-quarters OF a yard Of inch-wids
ribbon.
Cut the top OF the pad-this is too stiff
work for a child-and show how each
calendar Is to be neatly pasted in the
upper left-hand corner of section Of
blOtter II the child is too young to
the edges. otherwise q quarter OF an inch
in. When the twelve pieces are finished
tie the ribbon in a bow. The child may
be trained to do this but should practice
on old ribbon.
Have photograph frames cut from stlf
cardboard-these can be bought with a
back for % cents-and show the chill
dren how 10 cover them with gay fiowered
wall papers. neatly pasted with photogra-
nh ora Of asfi md
quickly made.
Permit a child to exercise her own
taste, but sway in favor of pretty floral
designs in small punches. The quite
small child will find it easier to paste
straight II a two-toned allover design is
used.
The quite small girl can turn out the
stiff bow ties OF inCh-wide black or col
ored velvet ribbon that look so smart
at the neck Of big sisters blouse. Eight
inches will make a tie. cutting on two
inches for the straight loop and folding
the remainder to make two stiff loops.
three inches from edge TO edge. Sew
the ends together at the back-big
stitches will not matter-then put on the
loop and hem the ends down fiat. Four
Of these little bows, about yard OF vel
vet ribbon altogether. a black, a green.
a cerise and a wood brown. will please
any ElTl. ana viii cost less tndn . cents
Most children do raffia work. so can
make gay littl" back for needle books.
Have them weave two strips. five inches
long by three and half wide. in a
bright Colored raffia. For the leaves they
can be taught 10 pink half dozen pieces
of flannel a trife smaller than the out
side. and the older ones can even over
cast the case together at the top Make
cord Of raffia for a hanger.
Equally easy is a raffiA bottom for a
work bag. One flve inches in diameter
is a good size. II the child is too young
to overcast the ribbon top OF five-inch
ribbon. she can gather it, sew up the
ends. and run in the casing ribbon. Bet
ter vet. let the little one plat skeins OF
discarded embroidery silk into a pretty
cord to be used instead OF ribbon draw
strings.
Even the small boy will enjoy making
button bags OF four-inCh ribbon. Allow
quarter OF a yard TO each bag. double.
II over. overcast the edges and hem down
an inch and quarter at the top running
a row Of stitching above for a casing
What II the stitches are hig-the effect
is good. Run the casing so two bags draw
they face each other. and draw up to-
Eether. Running in these baby ribbon
may take some careful watching but
the biEger klddi,s can easily manage it,
Children love to make candy so let
them give some Of their homemade
sweeties as Christmas gifts II round
or square boxes are covered with gay
wall papers to hold this candy. the chill
dren will love II. The tiny ones Can make
bags OF bright tarletan, button -holing the
edges in worstcd.