Evening star., 1923-12-21
\ appropriate" Christmas gift

cause what you select as espe-
cially suitable to a certain per-
son is likely to be something that he
or she has already been in posses
sion of for some time.
For instance. If you have a friend
who likes to go to parties and who
spends a good deal of time over her
clothes, give her an edition of some
good book or a print from one of the
old masters. She will probably ap-
rreciate it more than if YOU gave her
something to wear.
DO not give your dressmaker "A
sewing basket. She probably owns
one. See how a bottle of delicate
Toilet water will please her.
If you are going 10 spend con-
siderable sum of money on a gift.
allow the recipient to choose it. That
VIII spoil the surprise, but ii Will In
sure better satisfaction in the end.
Presenting your friends with mate
rails from which to make their own
Christmas gifts may seem strange,
hut it is often a very good plan. This
requires giving materials that the re-
cipient will know how to use. A girl
or woman who likes to embroider
would appreciate stamped dresser
scarf, table cover. cushion cover, or
Il
materials and directions for working.
\ good plan is to start the embroid-
cry design, so that the recipient may
see how the work is done. An ecru
or tan table cover or cushion cover
for instance, would look well em-
brOidered with dark brown floss, and
very soft, light blue material may
ne embroidered with blue of Il darker
shade. Black French knots and such
soft colors as sage green and dull
yellow are also effective on tinted
backgrounds.
choose simple designs, such as a
cluster OF small flowers, or neat
conventional pattern in each corner
is all that is required to give the
W ork distinction. You could send a
friend 81 collar-and-cuf set, stamped
and started for embroidering. or some
sheer stamped handkerchiefs.
Gifts Quickly Made.
Christmas Booklet-Cut the outside
, cover from green or red cover paper
IN the shape of holly or poinsettia
flower. Use a sheet of white paper Tor
The inside, of the same shape. Deco
rate the cover and print or write an
aUnropriatt sentiment on the INSIDE
sheet Tie with red or green ribbon
Blotters-For the top use cover
paper decorated in holly. Place sew
egal coIored blotters OF the same size
below and tie with ribbon.
Rookmarks-Cut two pieces OF light
inches in width and six inches IN
length Paint or write the words
Merry Christmas" Tie with nat
bow of ribbon at one end, and at the
other hanging ends OF narrow rlp-
bon.
Penwipers-Use several pieces OF
colored wooden cut in leaf shapes
outline the edges with SILK moss
FaSten to stiff cardboard with RIBBON
Calendar-Buy some small calen-
Decorate one-half of the card with
small pictures, especially Madonna
pictures.
For the Children.
Until child is at least three years
old the main thing that nature is
concerned with is training the senses
That is the time when a child loves 10
listen and look and touch and taste
1t is the time for such playthings as
bright cloth balls. gay picture DOCKS,
soft furry lambs or bears or rag
dolls to grasp and cuddle and take
to bed. This is also the time when
a child loves to make a noise by
banging tin spoon on dtshpan, or
doing something else that is equally
effective Ii is wise to substitute for
such diScords a gong, some bells, or a
small music box.
Children from four to about seven
are at the age of motor activity and
Imitation. 1t is the time for dolls ana
SailbOatS- fOr the rOChlnB morse, tie
swing the small cart, soldier caps
and drums, and the sand pile.
For the construction impulses there
are building blocks. The younger the
child the larger, as rule, should be
the plaything. Clay to model with
is a good gift. or a box of beads TO
string, raffia to braid, or a black
board and colored crayons. For the
eight-year-oId there are tops and
marbles, jump ropes, hoops. sleds,
and tricycles. Puzzles and games
begin to make their appeal at the
age of nine years. a live pet should
rarely be given to child before it
reaches the age of ten. This age calls
for tools for a boy, utensils to do real
cooking or washing or cleaning for
the girl. cameras or desks for both,
and a place to keep their things.
Gifts in accordance with their spe-
cial tastes. which may be. for in
stance, gardening, weaving, or sew