Letters made in this way look as if cut from a snow-drift : Cut out
the letters of the size desired, in thick card-board, and paste over it
cotton wool. When the wool is dried on to the paper, pull it out so as
to give it the appearance of snow. Mount them upon a scarlet, crimson
or blue background, and take scarlet or blue dress braid and arrange
as lines at the top and bottom of the letters, or make wreaths of ever-
greens for framing. Autumn leaves, sprays of ferns, trailing pine,
princess pine and bitter-sweet berries can be mixed with the ever-
greens, and help to relieve the somberness.
Frosted garlands and wreaths can be made by covering the paste-
board with dextrine and scattering over them the tiny particles of glass
134: HOLIDA Y FESTI VI TIES.
which can be purchased at the glass manufacturers ; or green moss can
be sprinkled on them and a light sprinkling of diamond dust.
Festoons of evergreens fastened from the center of the ceiling back
to the corners and over the arched doorways gives a room a decidedly
Christmas look. The garlands should be light and airy, and twined
around columns and railings and along the cornices ; lighter garlands of
the same kind should be made for trimming the tops of the doors and
windows and the gas fixtures. Imitation berries can be made by
stringing three or four soaked peas on fine wire, and dipping them in a
varnish of red sealing wax dissolved in spirits of wine. Everlastings,
paper flowers and colored paper ornaments, always seem tawdry and
unsightly when mixed with nature's gifts.
CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTATION.
The custom of having illuminated trees at Christmas, their branches
laden with pretty little trifles as mementoes to be presented to the
guests of the party, and to be cherished by them as a remembrance
until another year comes around, is derived from Germany. A young
fir is generally selected for the tree, and this is firmly fastened in a box or
tub filled with sand or heavy weights, and then concealed with mosses
and evergreens. Nothing is more disastrous than to have the tree
sway from side to side or tip over, and great care must be shown in
fastening it securely. Now that the tree is selected of closely growing
branches, the tapers must be fastened on ; as there is a little mirror
fastened behind each candle (the new ones), they give great brilliancy
to the general effect. Upon the topmost branch tie the " dove of
peace," with its wings outspread, or an angel with glittering wings, or
a " Christ child," with arms ready to bless and enfold us all. Glass
balls, trumpets, popcorn baskets and garlands, tiny Chinese lanterns,
small dolls, candy eggs, horns of plenty, balls covered with gilt paper
and tin foil, tiny mirrors — if you have none take a broken piece to the
glazier and have him cut it into oblong pieces, paste colored paper on
the backs, bind the edges and hang up behind each candle, with a loop
of ribbon. Small bags of net made in the shape of anchors, hearts,
boots and crosses, horseshoes, stockings and mittens, are pretty for
candies. Rosy-cheeked apples and oranges can be suspended by pass-
ing a fine wire around them, and their bright color enlivening the green
is exceedingly effective. Gilded stars, scarlet and blue stars, can be
cut from paper and interspersed with small flags, shields and other
devices.
Page 117
Presented as published in 1886. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Letters made in this way look as if cut from a snow-drift : Cut out the letters of the size desired, in thick card-board, and paste over it cotton wool. When the wool is dried on to the paper, pull it out so as to give it the appearance of snow. Mount them upon a scarlet, crimson or blue background, and take scarlet or blue dress braid and arrange as lines at the top and bottom of the letters, or make wreaths of evergreens for framing. Autumn leaves, sprays of ferns, trailing pine, princess pine and bitter-sweet berries can be mixed with the evergreens, and help to relieve the somberness.
Frosted garlands and wreaths can be made by covering the pasteboard with dextrine and scattering over them the tiny particles of glass
134: HOLIDA Y FESTI VI TIES.
which can be purchased at the glass manufacturers ; or green moss can be sprinkled on them and a light sprinkling of diamond dust.
Festoons of evergreens fastened from the center of the ceiling back to the corners and over the arched doorways gives a room a decidedly Christmas look. The garlands should be light and airy, and twined around columns and railings and along the cornices ; lighter garlands of the same kind should be made for trimming the tops of the doors and windows and the gas fixtures. Imitation berries can be made by stringing three or four soaked peas on fine wire, and dipping them in a varnish of red sealing wax dissolved in spirits of wine. Everlastings, paper flowers and colored paper ornaments, always seem tawdry and unsightly when mixed with nature's gifts.
CHRISTMAS TREE ORNAMENTATION.
The custom of having illuminated trees at Christmas, their branches laden with pretty little trifles as mementoes to be presented to the guests of the party, and to be cherished by them as a remembrance until another year comes around, is derived from Germany. A young fir is generally selected for the tree, and this is firmly fastened in a box or tub filled with sand or heavy weights, and then concealed with mosses and evergreens. Nothing is more disastrous than to have the tree sway from side to side or tip over, and great care must be shown in fastening it securely. Now that the tree is selected of closely growing branches, the tapers must be fastened on ; as there is a little mirror fastened behind each candle (the new ones), they give great brilliancy to the general effect. Upon the topmost branch tie the " dove of peace," with its wings outspread, or an angel with glittering wings, or a " Christ child," with arms ready to bless and enfold us all. Glass balls, trumpets, popcorn baskets and garlands, tiny Chinese lanterns, small dolls, candy eggs, horns of plenty, balls covered with gilt paper and tin foil, tiny mirrors — if you have none take a broken piece to the glazier and have him cut it into oblong pieces, paste colored paper on the backs, bind the edges and hang up behind each candle, with a loop of ribbon. Small bags of net made in the shape of anchors, hearts, boots and crosses, horseshoes, stockings and mittens, are pretty for candies. Rosy-cheeked apples and oranges can be suspended by passing a fine wire around them, and their bright color enlivening the green is exceedingly effective. Gilded stars, scarlet and blue stars, can be cut from paper and interspersed with small flags, shields and other devices.