Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1912-12-03

GIFTS.
"Of making many books there 10 no
end" the wise man said, and 1t this Sea-
son Of the year ono can hardly resist the
temptation 10 substitute 'sCbrigtmas
presents" for books and repeat the do
tum. Indeed the analogy, need not stop
here. Just ~ Of the end3ess number OF
books, some are bad, como useless, few
really good; 90 of Christmas gifts-some
arc hopeless, moro Indifferent, . few,
oh, 90 few really satisfactory. What
then are the essentials OF . satisfactory
homemade Christmas gift? One, ut least,
of two qualities; II It has both, Il 10
perfect;-it must DO useful, or It must
be beautiful. It may, perchance, DO
both.
One Of the articles that may be both
useful and beautiful Ii Q handkerchief
case. Everyone has handkerchiefs, 20
everyone can use . handkerchief case.
One may be placed In each bedroom In
house, 90 an oversupply need not be
feared; or one may DO reserved for espe-
cially dainty handkerchiefs, or for trsv-
cling. These cases are quickly and
easily made, and are easy to send. Here
arc Q few suggestions for making some
that are dainty and unusual.
The very slmplest-one that little
fingers can fashiop-is made of two Eve
inch squares of ribbon or brocade, lined
with white silk, padded and sacheted,
bound with ribbon, and tied on two
sides. Though this 10 20 simple, 1t Il
especially useful ~ It flts into any corner
NJ fha fravalin0 ha0
A second case 10 very similar, but the
ribbon or brocade 10 put over cardboard,
90 that the sides are stiff, and 1t 10 held
together BY an elastic band covered with
shirred ribbon. The band 10 made BY
sewing together two twenty.inch pieces
OF inch wide ribbon, aud then ''running
In" the elastic. A bow Of the ribbon
hides the fastening.
A third case 10 moro complicated, but
especially pretty. Again there 10 the
five-inch square OF cardboard, covered
with silk or ribbon for tho bottom.
Shirred about this 10 . fve.inch ribbon,
making y bag. The top 10 formed by
cutting two flve-inch squares In halves,
making four pieces Of Ave BY two-and-a
half inches. These pieces are covered
with the silk or ribbon like the bottUm
square, and are sewed to the four squares
at the top of tho bag. When closed they
make double covers, ono above the other.
The two top ones may be tied with rib
bon, or two tiny rings Of bone or mother
of pearl may be sewed on as handles.
Another bag for handkerchiefs Is
made of the softest crepe de chine. 1t
has round bottom made of card board,
five inches in circumference, and cover
ed with crepe dc chine. The bag, which
Ii ten inches deep, 10 shirred full on the
bottom, aud at the top Ia shirred on
wooden ring the size OF the circular bot
tom. Bows Of ribbon may be added, II
desired. Made Of white and bowed with
Christmas ribbons, this 10 the loveliest
handkerchief case imaginable.
Still another soft silk bag 10 covered
with netted rafia. It 10 unusual and
very attractive, and has tho advantage Of
being another bag that little fingers can
fashion.
A case, that may be used for "turn-
overs" az we'll - for handkerohiefs, has
stiff board foundation, fifteen inches
long by four and one-half inches wide.
covered with white silk or lawn, padded
and perfumed. The outer cover, which
is made wide enough for one side to fold
over the other, 10 Of white dimity dotted
with tiny pink rosebuds. The hem IL
feather-stitched with pink floss, just the
shade of the rose buds, and It 10 tied
with pink ribbons of the Same shade.
This could, OF course, be developed In
other colors: violets and violet ribbons,
forget-me-uots and blue, yellow roses or
daisies, with yellow ribbon, would be
equally attractive.
An especially beautiful csse-and one
that from the nature Of its material
makes It an especially appropriate gift
for man-is made OF leather. This
may DO white, brown, green, or almost
any desired tone. A strip twenty inches
long by eight wide is . good size. Four
inches 10 turned to form \ pocket At
one end, and the remainder 10 folded in
the middle, making square case. Two
outside corners arc decorated with some
simple stencil design, outlined In gold
or silver. In the center is stenciled the
word, "Handk erohiefs," or the shorter
French, "Mouchoir." Il IL silk lined to
match the decoration on tho outside,
and IL bound with . cord and fastened
together with little crocheted rings. The
whole effect IL simple and substantial.
The last case suggested Is, perhaps,
the very prettiest Of all, and is espe-
cislly appropriate because made out Of .
handkerchief itself. A sheer one 10 90.
lected With dsintily embroidered edge.
Its four corners are painted or embroid-
cred In oolored fowers-violets, roses,
forgetme-nots, whatever flower Is pre-
ferred. The handkerchief Is then lined
with soft silk to match the corners, and
three of the corners are brought TO-.
gether and fastened with bow of rib.
bon to match. The fourth corner is left
free for inserting the handkerchiefs, or
10 turned back half way and fastened
upon itself.
In choosing the color for any of these
cases the. taste Of the recipient, or the
color of her room must be considered.
II there Is no special reason for selecting
another color, the. Christmas ribbons
may DO used. They arc very beautiful
In themselves, and seem to bring tho
spirit Of the season with them. Such
gift 10 sure to "prove its use. "-Ex.
A Business Decalogue.
Thou shalt not wait for something to
turn mn. but thou shalt pull off tby coat