Novelties for Christmas Presents.

Although Christmas is still more than a month away, all sorts of preparations are in hand throughout November for the season of goodwill.

Now is the time when the Christmas goose or duck is ordered by those who look ahead, and early plum puddings simmer in the boilers.

But feasting, although it holds a high place, is not the more vital part of the Christmas spirit. What counts is the warm friendliness that develops among all classes—the cheerful giving to bring joy to others, and the sudden flowing towards all mankind of those finer feelings of humanity. It is this that makes Christmas unique among festivals, and no effort should be spared by our womenfolk, in the weeks of preparation ahead, to ensure that they do their part to make the coming Christmas as happy as human foresight, goodwill and open-mindedness can make it.

Mary had so many long, lonely evenings to fill in. She was not strong, and could not go out frequently. She was tired of reading, and had done so much sewing and knitting that she could ao longer bear the sight of it. Christmas was not far off, so well-meaning friends suggested that she should make Christmas presents, but what was there to do? Last year she had made so many tray-cloths and powder-puff cases and become so bored that she had vowed never to give any but bought presents. But what could one buy with limited pocket money?

A friend, feeling worried about Mary's mental lassitude, set to work to find something interesting for her to do. About a week later she came to see Mary, accompanied by a strangelooking parcel which, without a word, she handed to her. When opened, it was found to contain four wooden articles—two serviette rings and two page 43 egg-cups, which had been obtained from a wood-turner for 4d. each. These articles were to be decorated.

First, they were sand-papered until any roughness had been smoothed away, and divided into four equal parts. In one portion a design was drawn in pencil, later to be copied into the other three parts. When this was done they set to work and painted them, using fairly thick water colour, and, when dry, applied a coat of clear varnish. Mary was not an artist, but it was surprising how bright and effective the presents looked when completed.

A few days later, her friend arrived with some poster paints, a round wooden powder-bowl, a pair of quaint candlesticks and a fruit bowl. Mary was surprised that these wooden articles should be so inexpensive, none of them costing more than 2/-.

Before long, the powder-bowl had been decorated with a futuristic repeating pattern design, which consisted of straight lines drawn in different directions thus forming triangles, repeated at even intervals round the bowl. When the lid had been painted with a geometrical design, and the whole had been varnished, Mary was very proud of her handiwork, and eager to commence the fruit-bowl.

A border of fruits which, as Mary was no artist, were not easily recognisable, was drawn round the edge. It was surprising how very unusual and artistic the bowl looked when Mary had finished painting the fruits and given the bowl a black background. After varnishing it, she was amazed that she could, with so little expense and such interesting labour, turn out such an article.

Mary's friends were so pleased with their attractive and unusual Christmas presents that they came to her to be taught this new craft, with the result that the following year, hand-painted wooden presents were the rage.

Now that I am on the subject of the making of Christmas presents—and everyone knows it is often difficult to plan pleasing and original gifts at small cost—I feel inclined to enlarge on the various ways in which novelties, with a little ingenuity and labour, can be made, and which will probably give as much pleasure to the recipient as a more costly gift.

If you are a needlewoman nothing gives so much pleasure as hand-worked articles. Luncheon sets, buffet or service waggon covers made in coloured cottons, or linens, with appliques or embroidery are charming. Novelty stocking-bags or rings are attractive gifts for girls, and may be made to match the colour scheme of the room. Coat-hangers may be covered in many different ways. Embroidered handkerchiefs are dainty, and, edged with tatting, are treasured by the older friends.

Dainty touches may be given a girl's room by novel and dainty night-wea bags, a brush tidy, a crinoline lady to cover the powder box, or a sewing bag.

Children love animal designs on their clothing. Little garments become interesting when trimmed with hand-embrcidered bunnies, ducklings, dogs, etc. This work can be done by older sisters and make gay and amusing garments for the little ones.

Painted tins make charming and useful gifts. Tins with well-fitting lids may be utilised by painting in gay colours which can be filled with favourite home-made sweets, biscuits, shortbread, cakes, etc. A set of painted and labelled tins for the pantry shelf would be much appreciated by the housewife.

One would need an assortment of tins in different shapes and sizes, small tins of enamel paint in gay colours, three brushes (one thick and two fine), and turpentine for cleaning the brushes, fingers etc. Clean the tins thoroughly, afterwards applying a coat of the enamel paint evenly and thinly and allow it to dry. Then add a second coat. When this is dry commence the decoration. It may be dashing and gay or in dainty colourings and designs. Do not attempt a too ambitious design at the beginning. A few dashes or lines or a geometrical design would be effective in orange or red with black, green with mauve or yellow, etc.

For a set of tins for the pantry it is well to match the colour scheme of the kitchen. For instance one could paint a set of small tins for holding the different spices etc., the names of the contents to be written or stencilled in black on a paint ground. The tins look neat and give quite an air to the pantry shelves.

Cardboard boxes of different shapes and sizes may be covered and lined with wall-paper to make charming containers for all kinds of articles, both large and small. Hat boxes are much more attractive covered in this way than the dingy brown affairs that are usually sent from the shops.

To cover a box, carefully cut the paper to fit the top and sides, allowing about an inch for a lap-over on the inside of the box. Paste on carefully, taking care not to have any wrinkles in the paper. Now cut the pieces for the lining exactly to size. These when pasted on should cover the lap-over of the outside pieces.

The outside may be covered with a patterned paper with a plain lining, or the whole box may be done with a plain paper and decorated with bright patterns painted on, or designs of birds or flowers cut from the patterned paper and pasted on the plain ground paper.

To make a more lasting job, the boxes should be painted over with clear varnish.