THE GIFT

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 14, 14 December 1932, Page 12

THE GIFT

HOW TO BESTOW PRESENTS. Christmas is but a few days away; wluH of tiie presents we ail yearn to give? The secret of success in presentgiving, lies not in the possession of wealtii—it is in taking time and considering each recipient by himself or herself, and then doing one’s best to give an individual touch to the present. Gifts speak louder perhaps tlian we think. This one is enthusiastic about the time and thought spent on its choice. That one sounds chilly in its “better than nothing” murmur. If you give notepaper, and a box of good notepaper is not given often enough, choose an exclusive notepaper and liavo it marked with initials and address. If you like to include a small monogram seal, it will give pleasure, the pleasure of knowing that you went to a littie trouble over a gift and that it really was bought for the recipient. An umbrella is another nice gift, for sooner or later one is always losing them; but, again, have the initials engraved on the little gilt band. Initials are always (well worth the small extra cost. Whether they be on a silver flask, a scent spray, a mother-of-pearl fruit knife, or a propelling pencil, the value is doubled whon initialled.

Again, how few of our friends ever give us who adore gardening something for our hobby—seeds, plants, tools. Such things cost no more than scent, hankies, and the like. Something of some sort for a gardener can be found from sixpence upwards. If you are absolutely stuck, remember the three F’s —food, flowers and fruit. A dainty cake, some choice fruit, or a box of chocolates, these never go wrong. To mothers who are not too well off, one of the nicest presents is an assorted box of sweets, a specially nice cake, chocolate biscuits, preserved fruits, and just a small gift for “Mother” herself with a little Christmas message. Give gracefully, give eagerly, or not at all. Some people create more pleasure by giving a lavender bag than others who give a present which is worth pounds in actual money. Above all, give lovingly. Do up your presents daintily. Many a present has been spoilt by being sent as though it had been a bother to do it up. If the present is to bo delivered nothing is nicer than white paper, and it will look gay and festive if it is tied round with red silk bebe ribbon or a bow of other pretty ribbon. Or cut a piece of gold thread and a piece of red ribbon the same length and tie the two together. If preferred blue ribbon with silver thread can be chosen; either makes a small parcel look absolutely de luxe. A DECORATIVE BISCUIT TIN. Some folk like to have a tin of. biscuits in their bedroom, but the tin is an unsightly thing, so is pushed away in the cupboard during the day. Now there is no necessity for this to be unsightly at all; in fact, it can be made decorative and attractive. Procure a tin, the size of an ordinary biscuit barrel. Firstly, cover the outside with pink silk or sateen, or any colour you like. Secure this with seccotine. Now cover this with gold tinsel lace, finishing the lower edge and top with narrow gold braid or gimp. Cover the lid to correspond. The method for covering this lid depends upon the style of it. These vary, and the fangyworker must exercise her own ingenuity at this point. Anyway, it can be ma.de so that it forms quite an ornamental addition to the colour scheme and furnishing of any bedroom. A HOT BOTTLE COVER. So many people hug their hot water bottle all through the winter nights that it often needs a new covering. Here is on© that will do for a lastminuto Christmas gift. Make the cover,to fit the bottle it is to cqver. Pale blue flannel cloth would be dainty. Cut two oblong pieces as long and as wide as the bottle and buttonhole together round the three edges and separately along the top in mauve wool to form a bag. Make two loops and sew two buttons at the top and fasten the bag near the neck of the bottle. Round a plate draw a circle on the centre of th© bottle cover. With a halfpenny mark circles on the circumference for daisies and on© in the centre. Work laz.v-daisies in delicate tones of blues, pinks and mauves, and the leaves in jade green.