SOME CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 11

SOME CHRISTMAS SUGGESTIONS.

The suggestions that como in-English and American magazinos for • Christmas decorations in tlio Tionie aro of littlo value to dwellers in a summer land whero the light holds till lato in tho evening and no part can be played by decorative artificial lights. In. churches and largo ''halls where tliero is room for tho massing of greenery, heavy decorations may bo put up with effect, .but in tho home it always seems 'to bo, better to confine oneself to tablo; decoration, with' as many vases placed about tho, r.boins as- one. can find or fill with flowers or flowery branches. Tho tablo • especially should be decorated with great caro, oven if the family consists of only 'three or four members, -l'or years past almost the only flowers obtainable at Christmas tipio have been'those pink ivy-leaved geraniums, and thoy. aro ■hardly vivid enough to be ,o(fectiyo : in tho daylight. This year .it seems .likely that there will bo quantities of swept peas,' and they will make tho floral an easy matter. " Crept), paper 'can'be.used with oxoellent effect to supploment tho/gardon's supplies, and ribbons and littlo. silken flags liavo their, place in many, schemes. ' ' It is'an. old tradition, brought: out to New Zealand by tho earliest ships) .somo of' which put their theories into practice on the way out, that a heavy and rich dinner is tho most essential part of : Christmas 'preparations. .But, there is not much fun for tho women/of servantless, .households,, who liavo to preparo such a dinner, and wash up. after tho meaT.' ' Of necessity,' tho :greater part of their Christmas. ,is .spent.: in !,',tho; •kitchen. It . would -bo much better if,yjn-'. stead of aiming at; a! dinner, reminiscent of baronial halls, New.tZealand .women contented; themselves .with preparing'! tasty dislies '.to : bo served cold, arid with, tlio serving of them in tho most artistic and. appetising way. Boxing Day r will probably bo spent by the majority of peoplo in the open air, and for their benefit wo aro publishing in another column somo of tho best .sandwich recipes we can find. AVe would remind housewives that paper picnic plates are to bo bought at mouerato prices. If the.v do not caro to lay in a stock" for each picnicker half a dozen or so to servo as meat,, sandwich, or fruit dishes will bo fomul very useful. 'A doll-making cpntesfc-; described" by. ap American (of, course it is always tho 'Ameri-. cans who think of such'things) sounds, as if. it would provide amusoment for a wet- or blowing holiday evening. », / I From a tray 011 which had been placcd bottles of-various sizes and shapes; potatoes, lemons, carrots, white turnips,; cueumbfers, clothespins, wooden spoons, and an ear or corn, each•; guest selected ono, artiole., Then the host-ess explained that each lady's choice was to bo converted into a ,doll., Material.for dressing them and for tho construction of arms, heads,, arid , feet, 1 had'--been placed, on a tablo. On tho tablo were found tissue paper; of all 1 shades, pins, toothpicks, corks', scissors, needles, thread, pasto ; and pencils. - Whon finished, tlio dolls mado a motley - collection. An ink-bottlo appeared as a dem'uro sunbonnet; baby! . Tlio potato wado.a most realistic. ; boy-arrayed as ah. !ntlileto. with sweater, and '.. knickcrbopkersi-' .' - Tho, 'candlo needed only a scarlet c.ip and white paper petticoat to resemble tlio original MMiss Netticoat.'/ , Tlio possessor., of ; t-ho • loiig white turnip .-attempted .a, ; nierma'id, and; >tl(b lemon appeared; as. : a) cook, witliTa'wjiiiia apron and cap 011 a cork head, Tlio prizo ,y,as' awarded; tlio corn-cob doll, which was resplendent iii a red hat, ,from'under which her corn-tassel hair could bo.seen;- sho woro a .'flaming red dress.