New-York tribune., 1912-12-24
Candies for the Tree

Tha loving home-mother. who IS con-
tenaplating adding TO her children ENJOY
nent at this festive season by proVldihs
for their amusement and entertainments
tho ever-welcome and wonderful Christ
mas tree and who yet in her Christmas
shopping must exercise the closest eCoi'
ornv. will find that the usual decoratoiS
and expensive trinbets may be entlrely
dIsnensed with ard substituted IN their
Mace may be dainty articles OF homemade
manufacture, which are sure TO be Warmly
appreciated by the children, owing 10 the
edible nature OF their construction
White fondant, which may be prepared
N ouantity. may form the basis OF num-
her OF fascinating little objects suoh d
dlminutive sugar hearts and wee oufille''
ducks and chickens, the latter being easily
r,orIded hv butter paddles dipped In con-
factiouer's sugar; or If these are not avail
,tle q tablespoon and wide-bladed knlIe
may be used with equally good erect SUI
nrising and extremely lifelike effects may
no obtained after little practice. Cur
rants. bits Of citron and candied fruits Will
furnish very realistic eyes. Spit Joruaii
almonds furnish bills for the BIRDS ana
artistic touches may be also given 10 the
chickens and ducks by outlining the wings
with q little orange fondant mixed with
teaspoonful OF chopped orange peel
White Fondsnt.
W matter how much candy one ex-
,ec,s 70 make. but one pound Of sugar
ebou,d be boiled at the time. Place IL IN
Granite saucepan, adding half a cupfui
~ water and stir with wooden spoon
,,,tu the sugar Is dissolved, not an instant
LONGER. Dip a clean piece OF sponge IN
ice water. wiring II out and wipe down inc
.iJaa of the saucepan, as the granules
so.,,, n they are allowed TO remain COM
-lote granuIation will ensue and the ION
dant will be ruined. In about six minutes
take a bowl Of ice water I'm the left nand'
coax three fingers OF the hand in the water
,,tI thoroughly chilled, then plunge them
quickly into the boiling syrup and then IN
startlv back into the ice water. There Is
rot the slightest danger or burning the
fingers IL the directions are carefully fol-
lowed. Continue this trying process until
\
gers: then pour the syrup Immediately on
a marble slab that has been oiled; "atch
Il carefully, and when It becomes warm II
"a ready to STIR Continue stirring until
tho mixture is a thick, creamy mass; then
take IL in the hand and knead 1t as II IL
were dough. When it becomes soft
smooth mass it is ready TO mould.
Decorated Candies.
Other accessories for the tree may be
formed from small pieces OF this same
fondant. shaped in the form OF tiny eggs.
rbese may be decorated by cutting designs
from white writing paper, olling them'
laving them directly on the eggs and with
stipple brush dipped in vegetable dye
,overing the entire surface with the color.
rrnon removing the paper the design will
he found marked plainly on the egg.
Popcorn.
The numerous designs that may be fash
ioned with the aid Of popcorn seem almost
endless. beginning with the attractive lit
tie baskets for holding the homemade con-
factions, and ending with the gay little
boats fitted with real sails Of crepe paper
that are sure to gladden. the heart of the
small boy. Mould the baskets In neat rows,
fashioning the handles after the body Of
the basket is completed. finishing them
with a spray OF holly and a jaunty bow Of
scarlet baby ribbon. For the boats per-
haps a paper foundation will be required.
but after the popcorn has been arranged
IN position the paper may be easily re-
moved. and the tiny masts and sails ad-
Almond Caramel.
Tiny hearts Of almond caramel are also
very effective. Place I'm a granite sauce