Year: 1877

As the year draws near its close a goodly proportion of the 100000 of inhabitants of the United States are cud- geling their brains about holiday pres ents. They who have plenty of money and are consequently able to give what ever and to whomsoever they please, find it difficult to decide not only who shall be the recipients of their gifts, but what the gifts shall be; and on the other hand, many-and, we are sorry to say, nost-are trying to solve the difficult problem, how, with their stinted means, to procure even trifing tokens for such kindred and friends as they would be glad to remember.

 The custom of holiday gift-making has become much more common of late than it used to be. The old New Englander, true to the teachings of his Puritan an cestors, took no note of Christmas ex- cept to denounce its observance, and the descendants of these New Englanders who were among the earliest settlers of all the new States, following the old custom, took with them more or less of the feeling and engrafted it on their new homes. But an increase of liberality in religious ideas, and more enlightened view of Christianity, have, to great ex- tent, overcome this, and there are now but few who do not welcome with glad ness the annual return of the day we celebrate in recognition of the birth of the founder of the Christian religion and the head of the Christian church, and aid, so far as they can, in making mer- ry Christmas for all around them.

 for the growing custom of gift-mak- Ing, at Christmas time, we are largely indebted to our German friends for while our English ancestors were not wanting in their recognition of the day, never failing to decorate their homes with the holly and the mistletoe. their festivi. ties consisted more generally in family gatherings, in eating and drinking, and the more boisterous sports for the men during the day and dancing for all at night. With the Germans it is different. The observances took a more quiet form, and the Christmas tree, with its gift laden branches, was found in every house, and the exchanging of presents between friends almost universal.

 What to give. It depends much on the circumstances of the recipients and their relations to the owner. A we'll filled purse would by one be received with thanks and pleasure, while by an- other 1t would, and properly, be consid- cred an insult. To some we would give articles of practical value, while for others we should select gifts more for their beauty and elegance than their cost or usefulness. For one class we would select what we think they need but can not afford to purchase for another who we know is as we'll able to purchase as we are, something of less intrinsic value would doubtless be received with quite as much pleasure.

 In selecting presents for children, it IS well to consider their peculiar tastes and dispositions, and, moreover, to re- member that they are children. A dime properly expended will make child happy as king, when dollar used to purchase something in which it has no interest is wasted and the same con- slderation may very properly be had in choosing for children of larger growth. One young lady would prize book or picture, while the next would prefer feathers and ribbons and young gen. tleman would choose-what Now. Miss, don't you wish we would tell you |? Haven't you said a hundred times, it is so difficult to think of anything to pre- sent to gentleman? It is so long since we were young gentleman, we have almost forgotten. But we would not give him slippers, for if you do they probably will not fit :; nor pi pc, nor a cigar-case, as they might encourage him in forming habit you may be sorry for one of these days. We are confident he would prefer something you have made with your own fingers andinto which you have wrought your own thoughts. But it will make little difference what it is, so that he sees in your eyes that it pleases you to give it, and can be happy in be- hevlng that after while you will give him-yourself.

 Above all things, keep from your holi. day givlngs everything that would make them appear like donations or alms-giv- ing. Better not to give at all than that the gifts should carry with them feel. ing of obligation. Give because you want to, not because you must; give with kindness and love. Give because you feel in your soul of souls that it is more blessed to give then to receive. Then you will have what you deserve-s Merry Christmas and Happy New Year