HOME DECORATIONS. 
Christmas Gifts. 
With the approach of the holiday season come 
thoughts of what to make for Christmas gifts, and, per¬ 
haps, a few suggestions on the subject may not be amiss 
at this time. 
Dainty handkerchief cases are made of a square of 
white satin lined with quilted white satin. The edges 
neatly blind-stitched together: but. before joining, thick¬ 
ly sprinkle over the cotton on the underside of tfie quilted 
satin some sacket powder, and over this a thin laver of 
cotton. Trim the edge of the outside, which is plain 
satin, all round with box-plaited white satin ribbon, or 
if color is used, ribbon to match. Fold each corner to 
meet in the middle, envelope fashion, and on the point 
of each sew a piece of ribbon of sufficient length to tie. 
thus preventing the handkerchiefs from falling out. A 
dainty little painting in water color, of Violets, or Car¬ 
nations, adds greatly to its beauty. The materials re¬ 
quired are half a yard of plain satin, the same quantity 
of quilted satin, six yards of satin ribbon an inch wide, 
a few cents’ worth of sacket-powder, and a spool of 
sewing-silk matching the satin. 
A pretty glove-case is also made in similar style. For 
this the full width of the satin will be required, but in¬ 
stead of doubling the corners to the middle, the piece 
should be folded as a letter, in three folds or layers. 
Satin half-a-yard wide will answer for this purpose, 
and half-a-yard in length will be required. This also 
should be lined with quilted satin, and the sacket-powder 
sprinkled between the lining and cover, as described for 
the handkerchief case. Trim the edges of the plain satin 
with box-plaited satin ribbon an inch wide, and fold as 
directed. The shape is now long and narrow, and on it 
a delicate spray of flowers, or grasses should be executed 
in water color. When required for use, the gloves are 
laid in the middle division, and first the plain, then the 
decorated piece folded over them. 
Work-baskets are always useful, and can be made as 
pretty and dainty as one wishes. A fancy straw basket 
with handle, is gilded and then lined with blue or car¬ 
dinal satin. This may be put in full, or quilted. For 
the latter, however, the cotton on the underside of the 
quilted piece would require to be covered with plain 
satin, otherwise it would show through the open work 
of the basket. Two puffed pockets are placed at either 
end, and an emery cushion and needle-book hung by 
ribbons at each side. The emery cushion, if shaped 
like an acom, is very pretty. Hake a little muslin or 
cotton cloth bag, rounding the comers, that there shall 
be no points: fill with emery-powder, and gather at the 
top; cover this as smoothly as possible with velvet the 
shade of the linin g. Gild an acom cup, and fasten the 
gathered end of the cushion securely into it with strong 
glue. Should there be difficulty in procuring the acorn 
cup, a very good imitation can be made by those who 
are familiar with crocket-work, for with coarse crochet 
cotton a little cup is shaped. Place it over the top of 
the cushion just as described for the acom cup, and 
glue it in the same manner, Gild it afterwards, but be 
careful that none settles on the velvet. Sew a ribbon at 
the top of the gilt cup, and hang at one side, aud ou the 
opposite side, the needle-book is fastened in the same 
manner. Bowsof satin ribbon are tied where the handle 
joins the basket at either side. They are pretty orna¬ 
ments, besides being useful. 
Waste-paper or scrap-baskets also can be made in 
various styles. Often the willow basket is gilded out-side 
and in: for this the prepared gilding coming in bottles 
with full instructions for use is the best for the purpose. 
Gay satin ribbon having a bee or butterfly embroidered 
on the ends is tied near the top of the basket, with full 
bow and ends, and a bunch of artificial field dowel's, or 
grasses caught in the bow, is a pretty fancy. 
A sofa cushion of exquisite design is of American 
plush, on which sprays of Golden Rod are embroidered 
with arrasene, the edge trimmed with a heavy cord, and 
silk pompons of gold and crimson at each corner. 
Court-plaster cases are useful little things, and can be 
made of two pieces of Bristol board three inches long, 
and two-and-a-half inches wide, Cut two leaves of stiff 
unruled letter-paper, the exact size of the pieces of 
Bristol board. Hake three rows of slits across each 
page, aud four rows down. In and out of these weave 
in basket-work alternate rows of narrow strips of black 
and white court-plaster. Through the backs of the 
leaves and cover, half an inch from the top and bottom, 
cut a slit lengthwise, but let them be only wide enough 
for a narrow ribbon to pass through to bind the leaves 
and covers together. The ribbons should be long 
enough to tie in bows. On one cover may be painted, 
or drawn with pen and ink the words, 
“ May you never, never feel. 
A wound too deep for me to henl,” 
and on the other a cluster of Pansies or Hearts-ease. 
A pretty idea for bon-bon baskets is to gild the little 
fancy wicker baskets, which are found in various 
shapes. Those having the sides almost or quite straight 
are most convenient for the purpose, some with covers, 
some without. The interior and exterior are both to be 
gilded, and when the gilt is dry trim with gay satin 
ribbon bows. They are exceedingly pretty when filled 
with French candies, and prove themselves useful little 
articles long after the sweet contents have disappeared. 
News-racks are serviceable articles, and for them 
bamboo frames can be purchased which, when tastefully 
trimmed with embroidered plush and ribbon bows, are 
very handsome. The frame, however, can be con¬ 
structed of slim canes of light-colored wood, which will 
answer the purpose as well. Four canes will be re¬ 
quired, cutting off a short piece at either end, as the 
handle and ferrule would disfigure it. A square rustic¬ 
looking frame is then made by placing the canes in this 
shape, allowing the ends at each coiner to cross each 
other and project about two inches. Mark where each 
crossing is, and with a fine gimlet or awl bore a small 
hole through each cane. The corners are then joined by 
running through the holes a pliable wire, which can be 
drawn through and wrapped twice or three times round 
the comer, then twistiug the ends together, thus hold- 
