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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1990-12-19, Page 14I4 -THE Huppw EXPOSIT -0k DEM* � 1 inane FIRST GREETING - 'A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You," read the forst cornmercsal Christmas card, above, from the collection of the Pierpont Morgan Library in New York Designed in 1843 by John Calcott Horsley at the initiative ofCo, 1,000 copies of the ��le were printed postcard bum, to be sent b the recipients via E in England's reoerity inaugurated 'peniny post. This innovation allowed pew to forward traditional New Years greetings (previously delivered by hand, an arrangement which could be as costly as it was urvekable), both inexpensively and efficiently GREETINGS FROM THE PAST - This turn -of -the -century postcard offers warm New Year's wishes. Its colorful illustration of a girl in a Targe hat and muff standing in front of a snow- covered cottage, evokes the season, and is similar to many which flooded the post nearly a century ago. Call Heather or Susan with your news tips 527-0240 ,111,11,4 ot ,)_\,A., _. , ,.,..,_:. .x.„ q p, , . ‘ t.,.: ., `fes � \y) 0 % O OFF STOREWIDE (,n stock merchandise) Excluding Rubber Boots & %0ff findings. Starting December 19r^ 1 0 Special Orders Create an olde-fashjonj Christmas this year fnigrance et paw walks omen gadded with A son bills and c cte d d °f rig N, re arnval this fina w as — thane a few of the Cimedruw Ammo is with s Sanely no oral holiday appeals the aorta tali arch a complete w or ells up memories of tat with such vividness. A glance at toy attune window evokes memories of Chrienias past aid a lunging relive the &icemen of chakthood. And as our lives became Mone Welk. the deme to recreate warm, old fashioned Christmas fur OW MD bathes has become more important. People are moving awa hos the tiros and glitterof modern Christmas, and ards mare nostalgic Chrittwnas thane. Looking at the way some of piaious decorated kr the season Records ood source of rauOQ- docarstuig ussoms in 19th century Canada rate, but Catharine Parr Traill one of the earliest in her `"The Canadian Settler's Gu 1855)". She tells of going out collect ted -berried wintergreen hang over the marulepiece and cure frames, and later addin gh bush cranberries and ha ughter's coxal beads for color. To recreate scxne of this earl Carmdian feeling, try combining esh greens with favorit decorations frau the past, a few homemade ones which the children ill enjoy creating, and perhaps some new ones chosen to omplement the theme. CARRY THEME Carry the theme throughout the hole house. Let the tree establish the theme, coordinate the door wreath, ngroom centrepiece and mantel sideboard decoration. Soften kitchen window frames th green garlands interwined with necones and red ribbon bows; set a tablesized tree on a side table trim with antique beads, erbread men and decorations h as a set of tiny brass musical torments. You could even use a pine tree, ready to plant in the n next spring. rsonalize displays and wreaths. and A wilt* table or mane' dimple die of pia • imam dried flowers, peons sem mid otter sinal -menials soegedier with a ribbon bow always arc loots luvdy. A decurased straw broom os family room wall lends a country to air. Anach real or artificial y ay, sprigs, a bright rt�boti bow and l laps a couple of tree Holidewreaths a� � easily created to �wsth wreathpevine ine . Make with a bay mss= that shop or faunas' market, or, make your own by soakinig vtnt�t o lukewarm water intuit supple. Bent y into wreath form and secure with a florists' wire. Weave bright red or a gay ribbon though vines. Wire an a couple of pmecones and the whimsical tree -- r� is horses, little Sautes, toy drums -- to create an old fashioned yet personal look are 1CLSSING BALI. An old fashioned �g ball made from tiny cones and nuts, or Christmas cards, makes a lovely to family roan or hallway conver- t() salon piece. To make a unique card kissing bail from Christmas cards, g cut 12 cards into three-inch circles. Fold each circle in from four sides to create a square. Glue each folded y edge to the folded edge of another circle until you'have a three-dimen- e • y with i eclectic entailment of gore bought and handirde deooranor, ocd and a second misiiaAre tree m the livingperhaps act 11 1 w* - a thane. with a specific Hoe's some tips for Chrisumaa trees: :Zs by ire your tree u �c and c i npictcly =cure. Be sure stand is full of water if you have a real tree and 611 it each day. a Whether a real err an aruficial tree is used, Ws a god to match its decor to the thane chK, ii for the rest of the house. Notting achieves a marc old fashioned look than lets of colorful, traditional decorations and bright nbbun or bows. Add garlands of fresh cranberries and popcorn by using a small needle and heavy thread. Alternate berries and kernals or make ropes of each. l se only Canadian standards Association approved lights and look for the CSA label. Put lights on first, draping them right around the tree, working from top to bot- tom. Check that they arc working properly before using and don't bury than under other decoctions in cast they overheat. Add remaining decorations with care, distributing evenly over the whole tree. Put heavier items on first making sure they are postponed on the stronger branches. Leave branch tips for ribbon or paper oranaments such as hanging lanterns and tiny fans made from color -coordinating wrap. Burgundy, ivory and green are popular colors this year. CHRISTMAS TABLE p A beatutiful table setting takes time to prepare, so make a start the night before and aim to complete it on Christmas morning. Guests will a c h� da fee w c w then dint a wi pi up and ging suc ins real garde Pe GIFT SUGGESTIONS •Luggage & Wallets •Winter Boots *Slippers •Western Boots •Winter Coats •Insulated Coveralls *Flannel & Western Shuts 'Gloves •Brief Cases •Men's Dress Shoes *Running Shoes •Work Boots & Sorels *Pile Lined Vests *Quitted Shirts •Work Pants & Tops •Gilt Certificates CHRISTMAS HOURS Monday -Friday Saturday Sunday Dec. 23 Monday Dec. 24 9am-9pm 9am-5pm 12pm- 5pm 9am-5pm SHOP NOW FOR LOWEST PRICES AND BEST SELECTION AIKEN'S FOOTC'1ANEARWORK CLOTHES 38 Albert St. Clinton 482-9352 sional ball shape. Attach ribbon a with a piece of holly or mistletoe on one end, up through the ball and make a loop at the top for hanging. Sprinkle glitter along glued edges if desired. FOCAL POINT Of course the focal point of any Christmas home decor is the Christmas tree. Many Canadian families today set up a traditional tree in the family room, complete • be ed by the at it as they arrive -- magnied bow glories gLes w salver and all Here are some tabic sewn gasbag from Corks Cods for cog that magical loot What tante tradiionel seting could there be than a ,snow whim da ui , k cloth set with silver and crystal, a caiuepioe of holly and rod cantles with and red craclnrs at eat h p ? A single tree decoration tied with ribbon around each napkin cro be stun- . decoratices can double as tabk favors. Use a sideboard err sturdy sup- planauary table to cope with extra sere uyl dishes. Cover both it and the ding table with matching cloths aid they'll look like a pair, especially if linked with similar table decoration*. Candle create a nostalgic mood, whether sliver scam tapers in a silver candelabra, or a cluster of nighthghts gathered in the centre of the table. Surround candles with a whet ton of Pomander (oranges studded with cloves) and evergreens or small gifts and ribbon. A charming tablecentre can be made using an old fashion sleigh ornament or a spacial bowl con- taining a small gift for each diner. The presents could be as simple as a comb or mirror, or a specially chosen Christmas tree ornament. Each gift is attached to a slender riboon which leads out of the bowl to the recipient's place at the table. Another lovely idea to tie a setting together is to use a white lace cloth and weave plaid ribbon around the edges like a wave. A laid scarf may be used as a runner on a sideboard. Matching plaid napkins and even plaid plates for a arge group or buffet finishes off the motif. Special gifts deserve special wrap Nothing sparks the Christmas spirit more quickly than an after- noon spent carefully wrapping presents to set under the tree. To make sure that a gift wrapping session is enjoyable rather than frustrating, he sure to leave plenty of time to do the job properly ad- vises Barbara Huard, Senior Product Manager at Carlton Cards. "A sturdy work -surface that won't o be damaged by glue spills or scissor scratches is a must, "Mrs. Huard says. And before beginning, make n sure all your supplies are on hand including boxes, paper, adhesive tape or glue, ribbons, bows, gift • tags, colored pens or markers, tissue paper, Christmas seals and scissors. ss9 Ms. Huard notes that recent years S have seen a move away from the glitter and tinsel took back toward w the more nostalgic and traditional spirit of Christmas. "Olde Fashioned" tree decorations, wrap- siz ping paper, ribbons, bows, candles bo and cards are easily found. Woven c throughout are classic Christmas co colors - ivory, burgundy, green - so req that a specific theme can be carried o through from presents to tree and p Cards to make gift wrapping special: • The most important characteristic of a good-looking parcel is neat- ness. This means using the right size sheet of paper for the job, and of the correct weight to fold smoothly. Thick, heavy papers are unsuitable for tiny packages, enor- mous presents may need two sheets f paper taped together, or, better still use a gift wrap roll which lets ybu cut exactly as much as you eed. If you have several giftto wrap, rolls may be the most economical route to take. It's much simpler to wrap a solid uare or oblong shape than to truggle with something awkward. o start early to collect an as- sortment of empty boxes and sl- ays pack breakable items in shredded tissue. Carlton also produces gift boxes specifically ed for such items as shirts, robes, tiles, and edible goodies such as ookies and candies. With these ntainers no further wrapping is uired although a fancy bow or ther adornment completes the resentation. table decorations. Here are a few tips from Carlton wi Wrap a gift without tape by tying th pre -measured ribbon. A dressmaker's tape is the best way to measure: double the width and the breadth of the parcel and add four times its thickness plus four inches. This will give enough ribbon to wrap completely around each way. Tie a separate bow before attaching trimmings. • Ready-made bows are easiest to use, but curling ribbon is also effec- tive and easy to do. To curl paper ribbon, grip a piece roughly two to three feet long firmly between you thumb and the blade of a pair of scissors (make sure the blade is on the ribbon underside) and pull briskly. Do this with as many pieces of ribbon as you like and tie together on package. You can also combine different colors of ribbon this way. • Gift wrapping can be as simple or imaginative as you make it. Here's a chance to be inventive with Christmas tree decorations, silk or dried flowers, sprigs of greenery, candy canes, gingerbread figures or fancy doilies. • Personalize gifts by adding an appropriate trim. An "Olde Fashioned" rocking horse finishes a baby or small child's gift in a lovely way. A budding musician might appreciate a tiny brass horn. Capture the holiday spirit on film Family, friends and holidays - there's no surer combination for fun, excitement and great memories. Let a camera help you capture that holiday spirit. For best results try for candid shots, photographing subjects when they least expect it. Move in close. The most effective pictures have a subject that fills the frame against a simple background. Pick colorful subjects. Rich, bright colors should be easy to find at holiday time. Keep it simple. Avoid cluttered backgrounds that would distract from the central subject of the picture. Watch for good 'people" shots - the instant pictures you take of your family and friends will be among your favorites. Finally, when shooting outdoors, make sure your camera and film is protected from extreme temperatures, snow and rain. With these few simple steps, you're ready to preserve this year's holiday memories on film. Don't forget to bring your camera out early. Holiday picture -taking should begin long before the first presents are opened. Tree -trimming, parties, family get togethers, and the making and wrapping of gifts all make ideal pictures. Kids can create personal and colorful holiday placemats and tree ornaments with instant polaroid photographs. They'll have fun while they're and what's the best ay to express it? GIVE... SAVE ON THE GST Give someone you know a subscrip tion to our award winning community newspaper. THE HURON EXPOSI- TOR A great gift idea and save on the GST until Dec. 31, 1990 WHO'S COMING DOWN THE CHIMNEY? - One of the earliest iNustrations of Santa Claus is this one from The Great Pictorial Annual Brother Jonathan, dated Janaury 1, 1845 The reindeer and sleigh were already part of his innate, though the great white beard and face full of wririklois were still to corse :air :air : :lir air at lir At :0 it At making them and be busy for hours allowing you time to do the mil- lion -and -one jobs on your list. After the holidays are over, thank yous will be in order. A picture is worth a thousand words when your child sends a photo of himself wearing the handknit sweater grandma sent or a snapshot showing him in action on the new skates from Aunt Sally. A short note with a personalized "thank you picture" shares miles -- and appreciation -- all around. History of the Red -nosed deer One of the most beloved figures in modern Christmas lore, Rudolph the Red -nosed Reindeer, was born when a Montgomery Ward adver- tising copywriter named Robert L. May was told to create a booklet which could be given to children at Christmastime. That was in 1939, and "Rudolph with his nose so bright," the nose which made him a laughingstock among the other reindeer, has charmed generations of children for over 50 years. interestingly enough, the words of the song, "Rudolph the Red -need Reindeer," were not included in the original booklet that told Rudolph's story. end were not written by May. Rather, 10 years after May's original creation, his brother -in- law, composer Johnny Marks, put Rudolph's tale to music, and wrote the lyrics whith which we are familiar today. Cowboy-smger Gene Autry recorded the tune, which was released in the fall of 1949 and quickly became a smash hit.