"HOW I MAKE MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS"

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 5, 15 November 1941, Page 456

"HOW I MAKE MY CHRISTMAS GIFTS"

Our Competition

I CAN see a busy month ahead for all my “Good Neighbours” after they have read our competition entries this month. So many good ideas from you all that it was difficult to decide which to use. But here are some of them for you, and first prize this month goes to “Ajax,” Oxford, with “London Lass,” Wellington, second. Be sure you get a good supply of wrapping paper, stickers, and tinsel — wrappings can make all the difference to Christmas presents. And don’t forget—it is not the size of the gift that matters, because after all the very best gift of all is love and best wishes, for it will not wear out, ever.

First Prize

T LIKE to begin in January, planning just what I shall make during the year, so that there are always a few things on hand when the rush begins. One girl friend is going to receive two dinner mats —actually they are two round asbestos mats, but I have covered them with a circular crocheted mat, made from that old-fash-ioned, thick white crochet cotton.

Another friend will receive a dainty bed jacket made from a yard of crepe de chine which I have had for a long while. It is such an easy pattern only two four-inch seams to sew. I’ll forward it to you if anyone would like it. And I always give handkerchiefs, so I’ve made some .already. I found tatting in a little shop, and that helped —embroidered initials help, too. For a wee boy I have a bathing, suit still on the -needlesl unpicked an old scarf for this —and his sister will go to sleep with a cuddly dog in her arms, made from pieces not required for my last apron.

I have several coffee bottles waiting to be filled with my favourite orange drink, and nearby friends will receive my Christmas greetings, and add a tablespoonful to their glass of water. Try using parchment paper for bookmarkers. I like drawing trees, and printing small verses in Indian ink so will you. It is easy, too, to cover small notebooks for address books, and larger ones for recipe books. I know a friend who never has pencil or paper near her telephone, so I have designed a large piece of parchment for her, , on to which I shall sew a small pad for notes, and tie a pencil. A little turpentine mixed with linseed oil, and smeared on to a good quality drawing paper, makes ideal parchment paper, and .1 always use water colour paints. And outside there are several fluffy goslings, one of which has a reserve tag on Mother always has a goose for Christmas. So a merry Christmas to you all!— Ajax, Oxford.

Second Prize

rpHE Christmas presents that are occupying my mind and fingers this year are anthologies. And lest that word suggests only a volume of rather dull quotations on no particular subject, think of it for a moment under the rough translation of its Greek meaning, “A bunch of flowers.” Flowers, that is, of verse and prose, collected so that the varied shades of one kind may be enjoyed together. You need an exercise book as foundation, and a seven-leagued pen, for the

subject once chosen, and the book begun, material crops up everywhere. I began by making a book of “Spring,” for a friend who delights in spring’s leafy moods. Then, for myself, I gathered poems, quotations, and pictures, all of trees, and straightway knew I must make three separate copies for three special friends. For another, I am making “With the Wind and the Birds,” and for a special friend “Christmas.” I have planned for my own refreshing a “Rain” book. >

These anthologies are destined for folk whose chief interest lies in these subjects, but out of the gleanings of years, I have made a collection of

party games and competitions, and for another friend I collected rare and beautiful prayers such as spoke to my own heart. The secret lies, I think, in choosing the one idea above all others that appeals to the person. One specially happy feature. of gifts of this sort is that they need never cease to grow. Both giver and receiver can add continually to each other’s treasures. Anthologies entail time and thought yes—but they bear the hall-mark of a true gift, the personal, offering of friendship.— Lass, Wellington.

Highly Commended

ItTY latest effort has been the making of bead sprays. These sprays are so pretty to wear on dresses or costumes, and anyone with a little in-

genuity can fashion many different : kinds of sprays. Beads from old lamp /shades and suchlike can be used for these, and thread them on florist’s wire.— Violet, Auckland. II AKE Christmas stockings—not necessarily filled with rubbish. Obtain coarse mesh mosquito netting, cut into stocking shape, machine with bright cotton, and fill according to the recipient. Crayons, pencils, sweets, marbles, whistles, oranges, soap, and small toys. For the garden-lover, make a sugar bag apron, with pocket for gloves, and a small trowel. Trim with brightly coloured —Economical Susan, Waikato. TF your friend goes motoring, make A her a hat hanger. Crochet around a brass ring, thread J yard of 1 inch ribbon through, and sew the two ends around a spring peg painted with gold paint. Cover the stitches with a scrap of rosebud trimming. She will find this very handy to hang her hat on in the car. For the person who is always looking for a piece of string, make a “Dinah” string bag. Cut two circles of either felt or cloth in black or dark brown, 6 inches in diameter, and flatten the top a little; sew up, leaving the top open. Make a cap of any gay colour, sewing one piece on the back, and tying a knot in the front piece, make eyes of white tape, with black pupils, red flannel nose and mouth, which should have an eyelet worked in it. Sew small brass rings for earrings, and two more to hang it up, and with a ball of twine inside it makes a •very acceptable present.—L.M., Otago. TTY first idea is one which I am sure . .; A interests most of us—flowers. If your friend has favourite shrubs or flowers, set to work and get good cuttings, and get them well rooted. Old tins painted are good to present these in, and for smaller flowers low bowls, painted, are ideal.

Now with well-washed flour bags hem squares for serviettes, and work a dainty spray of bright colours in the corner. Press well, and box up with coloured paper. Mothers of school children will appreciate these for school lunches. — M., Feilding. TYAINTY gifts can be made from small wooden pill boxes. Paint the boxes inside and out, and on the lid work tiny coloured sealing wax flowers, or paint them on. The box can be filled with small safety pins, perhaps a thimble, or a tape measure.

' Here is an idea for 'an unusual luncheon, set. Buy a yard of t scrim, also some stranded cotton in light green, or perhaps the predominating colour in the dinner set. Cut out the mats from a transfer, and iron them on to the scrim. Leave a good space between the mats so that you can handle them comfortably when working. Outline the mats with a running stitch, using three or four strands of cotton. A bold design looks best. I have made mine without a transfer,

using a dinner plate, pencilling the edge, and drawing a lattice design.— Alys, Masterton. j ' ' r PHE menfolk are the hardest to cater x for, but remnants come in useful for working handkerchiefs. Materials of suitable colour in print make serviceable handkerchiefs. While making your Christmas cake, it is no trouble to divide some of the mixture into smaller tins. These small cakes make very acceptable gifts for the bachelor man or woman.— Mary. Ann, Bell Block. IVE that old friend who now lives '“J in town two 'sacks of cones, and see how she enjoys the resulting bright fires! Nurse would appreciate a black velvet coal glove, piped with red. Pill boxes make useful rattles. After, putting in some small stones to rattle, seal the box with insulation tape, cover with print, and crochet a \ cover,' leaving a loop for baby to hold.— Janet, Invercargill. , ATY friends like my bath salts. Here X is the recipe: 3 1 lb packets of Glauber salts „ (very reasonable in price), bottle’"of" oil of verbena, and a ’

drop or two of vegetable colouring. Put the salts in a bowl large enough for free mixing. In a small vessel put verbena and colouring. Mix well, then add to the Glauber salts; and mix with the hands until all are thoroughly blended and coloured. Put . into pretty jars, cover with cellophane, and tie with ribbon. Lady Jane, Wellington. A/TY girl friends always appreciate make-up capes. They are easily made from organdie, or pretty materials, edged with lace, and tied with gay ribbon. So handy for slipping on over your frock when you are ready to powder your face.— Joan, Eketahuna. V7TCTORIAN lady handkerchief bags . ’ are good gifts. The cardboard top, made in the shape of a bonnet, hides the face completely. Paint the top to match the skirt. The skirt is a bag gathered and sewn to the cardboard top. It has a slit in the back for the handkerchiefs, and sewn to the gift is a slip of paper saying: “For soiled hankies or hose There’s a place in my clothes.” Anno Domini, Otago.