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| Christmas Eve: Bringing Home the Holly Peterson's Magazine, December 1860 |
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| This "ornamental lamp cap", from Godey's, 1858, is "extremely suitable" for Christmas trees. |
It was a fortnight before Christmas and we were already deeply engaged in preparation for the merry season. Green boughs with which to decorate the rooms were being made into festoons and garlands and in a sly corner the Christmas tree was waiting its hour of triumph. Ellen was hurrying to finish a picture of Santa Claus to hang over the Christmas tree and May was practising incessantly 'Let us love one another' at the piano forte, while little Harry entered with even greater zeal if possible into the preparations for the festivities. Seated in his little chair, which, with show of secresy was turned with its back to the room, he was working with his jack knife on a present for mother which, from occasional glances, I judged would be a little wooden vessel.
--"The Second Wife" in Peterson's Magazine, 1856
The What-Not (1859) has instructions for making Christmas Paper Roses, useful for decorating the classroom or ballroom, or even the tree. They are said to look very pretty when made up in white, pinks, reds, and yellow and interspersed with evergreens.
Alternatively, real roses can also be preserved in wax for Christmas use (The Little Girl's Own Book,1847). Mrs. Child also recommends that little girls follow the German custom of "making boxes, baskets, needle-books, &c" as presents for their parents, brothers and sisters.
And the magazines oblige with instructions for Christmas presents. Peterson's, in December 1857, announces that "Our Work-Table department is full, this month, of articles suitable for Christmas-gifts: some economical, some more costly, some adapted for presents from children to parents, others between wife and husband, others between friends and lovers. Thousands of fair fingers will be busy in consequence." Instructions are offered for a fancy basket, 'mama's work basket', Bible (book) markers, a crochet purse, a beaded bracelet, knit cuffs and muffs, embroidered table cover, a beaded elbow pillow, a lace and ribbon collar, and several embroidery patterns.
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| Berlin Work Pattern, Peterson's, December 1860 |
The very beautiful Berlin wool work pattern ,which is given printed in colors in the front of the number, may be used for a variety of purposes. In fact, it is on this account that we have selected it for this month, as it comes in just in time for those who wish to make up Christmas and New Year's Gifts. Worked on canvas of a moderate fineness with single Berlin wool, it will serve for a sofa pillow, foot stool, bag, &e. Worked on a coarser canvas in double Berlin wool, which would have a beautiful effect, it would then be admirably adapted for an ottoman, fender-stool, &c. The white and yellow may be worked in filoselle which would very decidedly increase the richness and brightness of the pattern. We may here say that Christmas gifts worked by the giver are always more cherished than those which are purchased and for a very natural reason
--Peterson's December 1860 (p. 480-1)
That is in the December issue, and so, supposedly, available at the beginning of November, which gives a little more time for finishing. presents.
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| Christmas Purse, Peterson's, Dec. 1859 To be worked in crochet. |
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| Christmas Slipper (embroidery pattern) Peterson's, December 1860 |
Don't try this at home: Mackenzie's Five Thousand Receipts (Philadelphia, 1854) has "exploding pastils" for Christmas. The pastils (balls or cones of dried gums with scent) are typically burned like incense to perfume a room; the holiday twist adds gunpowder to the mix, so that the resulting "unexpected report terrifies some [of the company], whilst it amuses others."
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