CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12683, 22 December 1906, Page 7

CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

Ac Christmas draws near -bo increases the demand for ideas .for home-made Christm-a presents, for, in spite of the attractive trifles that fill the shops, there are many who like their gift* to be the work of their own fingers. Judging by the rapid sale of the article at bazaars i (says a lady -writer in the "Argus"), the fancy-box craae is very much in favour just now. It is only a cardboard box of almost any size, covered neatly with *odd pieces of flowered or plain ribbon, or scraps of linen or small-patterned ehinta, but it constitutes a charming addition to the dressing or writing table. Frilled cushion-coven of plain or spotted washing mußlin hare rows of buttonhole -worked slots, through which a ribbon can be run, to be tied in a bow at one or each corner. .A quicker method of making thia very effective and useful gift is to buy aome of that wide embroidery beading, which is made to admit of a ribbon being inserted. A row of this laM dose to the frill is uncommon and pretty. Sometimes .the frill ia omitted, and a deep hem mitred at the four oorners substituted. Pretty, inexpensive belts can be made by firmly stitching a piece of broderie anglaiae or fine open-work insertion on to a piece of coarte, heavy linen.' A gilt or silver buckle should be sewn on one end, and the other neatly pointed, and any shoemaker will stamp in some suitable metal eyelet boles; or, instead of a buckle,

a neat clasp can be used. These belts are quite a feature of the popular washing drees.