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The Huron Expositor, 1978-11-30, Page 31• Simple toys that are bright, colorful and, best of all, easy to play with are the ones San- ta's littlest fans grab first on Christmas morning—and sometimes can't be parted from all day. Adorable timid puppets thatou can easily make yourself' fall into this category, You probably already have all the materials right on hand ti) create a soulful brown reindeer, a cheery red Santa and a merry elf. All you'll need are scissors, small lids—such as those on baby food jars, scraps of fabric, white glue and spare bits of felt, ribbon and such. Now here's what you do . • To fashion the puppet's body, make a paper pattern—a triangle 6" to 7" wide at the base and about 7". high. Round off the top and you have the proper, elon- gated bell-shape you need. Trace the pattern onto fabric (two pieces—your puppet needs a front and a back) and cut out the shapes, using pinking shears if you have them to prevent frayed edges. Apply white glue around the edges of the fab- ric, press together to form a "mitten.- Voila! Now you're ready to decorate your tot hand puppet. For a super face, pour 11/2 teaspoons of Elmer's Glue- AU into the lid from a baby food jar. Rotate the lid to dis- tribute the glue evenly; it ,pours white but dries to a lovely clear, glossy finish in a day. Then add facial feacures -with "glue-paint" —a few drops of food coloring mixed with glue. The "glue-paint" provides a rich, shiny hue plus texture, so you can create gleaming round blue eyes, puffy pink cheeks, or bright red mouth. After your puppet face is dry, you may want to further define features by outlining them with a fine tipped mark- ing pen. A ray of clear acrylic wi permanently "set" the fa and a bit of ribbon, felt o trim wrapped around the outside rim will give it a finished look. Next step—glue the "head" onto the fabric mit- ten and then customize your tot puppet Oith buttons, cot- ton balls, glue-paint, scraps of material and such. For example, you can make a snappy Santa outfit with bits of cotton to trim his- suit and make his bea,r0,,..00,,,telt makes a perfect cap and belt. A reindeer is- as easy as drawing a marking pen "body" onto the mitten. Add a collar of glue-paint berries and cut reindeer horns out of felt. Or, if a merry elf sparks your fancy, dress him in a colorful fabric suit, with a spiffy hat and boots to match. You can add felt buttons to his suit and trim his sleeves with gold rope ribbon, Don't forget to glue on some elfin ears! Almost any "Christmas creature" makes a lovable hand puppet. Use your imag-- ination and you can give your tot a special, morn-made toy .Ithat will delight him Christ- mas day and for many days to come. ti to the middle of the fourth century. Yet many of the traditions and trimmings 'of 'modern-day Christmas fest- ivities go back before Christ- ianity ...holly arid ivy, misteltoe , ever green deco- rations, exchanging presents eating and drinkingtootnuch, making merry. The Christmas cargl shows a gentle, pagan influence - as surely as it celebrates the birth of Christ, The first British Christmas carol probably dates from Anglo-Norman times and it glorifies the pleasures of drinking English ale and French wine. But the best of British carols date from the 15th century. A song that was old before it was printed was included in the earliest known book of printedcarols by - Wynkyn de Wordr in 1521 ...The Boar's Head carol. For 150 years carols were part and parcel of Christmas celebrations. But, even though carols were harmless, encapsulating the joys of Christmas, they went under- ground, to be preserved and sung in secret when Oliver Cromwell abolished Christ- mas in 1647. As carols were songs full of "joyful charact- er", Cromwell would have none of them, Although the recovery of the Christmas carol was slow in 1766, Goldsmith could' say that the Vicar of Wakefield's parishioners bad "kept up tit ChristmaS carol." By tIN, the parishioners could well have been sin?ing carols of deep religious-'significance like "While 'Shepherds' Watched" and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." And by the time one' American visitor arrived in Britain, the prelude to 'the modern day carollers had begun. On Christmas night in 1820, Washington Irving , was surprised to hear "beau tiful music from rustics."' They were the waits - the musical descendants of the nightwatchmen of mediaeval times who would sound a horn or play a tune to sound the hour. By the time of Queen Victoria, of course, Christ- mas style was in full swing. $20 .00 PLUSH MATS While, they last itn(ura Grand Victoria, through her consort Albert, 'set the fashion for Christms trees, The Vic- torian Christmas - immortal- ised by Dickens promoted the idea of Christmas cheer and goodwill; of groaning tables laden with turkeys, plum puddingS and mince pies, Today's Christmas cele- brations mark the birth of the Christian Redeemer - yet British families eat a bird from the Aztecs, in the .0)w of a fir tree from Germany, with mystical mistletoe perched amongst the decor- ations and very possibly to the strains of a Bohemian carol-Good King Wenceslas. AIRS SALE , - Continues Bath Curtains, Rods, Tiebacks, Hooks, J.P.Stevens Towels, Softee Mats & Accessories, Wooden Wear • • OFF The carol is a reflection of jolly and genial. It can' be, The combination of rag, spiritual, religious and pious. ious rejoicing and material feasting characterises the feast of Christmas. For, although it is essentially a Christian celebration, Christ- mas has roots buried in the ,pitippets made pagan past, Christmas is still Britain's richest feastday, taking over age-old customs and tradi- by Mom tions.Flickers of the ancient fire festival of Yule flare when the Yule log is burned. s Christmas, It can be lusty, Tops for tots ' eftristmas, carols date back to HAND PUPPETS make super Christmas gifts for even the youngest children. They're economical and simple to make with fabric remnants, ribbon, rickrack, Elmer's glue, and odds and ends you probably have on hand. Even brandy flames ;valid the Christmas pudding bring back a dim memory of the perpetual fire kept by early man. In bleak mid-winter, thousands of yearstigo, man- kind celebrated the turning of the year. On December 24, the days started getting lighter'- it was a time of hope for the new year, The first celebrations of the birth of Christ in late December can be traced baCk Season of beauty .Or young and old By HELEN KLEIN Metro Newspaper Services The Christmas season raiseslisPectations in people of all ages, faiths and nationalities. There are very few, indeed, who do not look forward eagerly in one way or another to the holidays, do not anticipate the wealth of sensations„the my k titudes of joys that make u4iliaigreatTbiEliataifrY . package we know 'as "Chrastmas." For older people, Christmas is a time for nostalgia, a chance to look back on the pleasures of the past, to revel in memories that are more and more special as the, years go by, For children, Christmas is a time of anticipation, an oppor- tunity to look forward to a myriad of experiences, both large and small, that will eventually become their past to look back on, gladly and fondly. - Any Christmas is suc- cold evenings in anticipation cessful if it matches the pre- of the Yule log, cious recollections of the old The smells, of baking and cooking waft through the air as Grandma and Mom pre- pare their own special reic- ipes: frosted gingerbretot, cookies in fanciful shapes; luscious buttery cookies decorated with colored sug- ar; sweet,- sticky &hit cake; brandied mincemeat •pies. Everyone begins dreaming of turkey with stuffing and cranberry sauce; plump, glazed ham studded with cloves; creamy eggnog; and old-fashioned plum pudding: all the traditional Christmas dinner, treats that are food for smiles, hriCtMas tree ornaments, collected over the years, are taken opt of storage lovingly in preparation for the tree it- self, which will majestically dominate the scene. The rich, joyous sounds of carols are ever-present. Ev- eryone, from the'Santa at the corner to the neighborhood merchant, seems to have a tune on his or her lips. Everywhere, bells are ring, Mg. — Spriga'',0f-holly and mit: tletoe find' their way to the oddest places as, December Passes. Everything' 'minds one that it is, in truth, "the sea- son to be jolly." As the great day comes closer and closer, the„excitethent Everyone glows with the dual joys of giving and receiv- ing. Junior• dreams, perhaps. of the new train set he hopes to find under the tree; Mom, of his face as he opens the large, somewhat unwieldy box that means so much. All dream of the family re- union they have been eagerly awaiting for months. And then, at long last, Christmas arrives, fulfilling the fondest wishes, making the dearest dreams come true and be- coming the material of which • memories are made. With some',reparation and a lot of love, this Christmas will be the Christmas to re- member . . . always. and fulfills the sugarplum dreams of the young and in- nocent. - Memories of Christmas are like family heirlooms, glitter- ing, ornaments on a.. stately tree that are passed down lovingly. from generation to generation. They are some- what faded pictures in the album of the past, per- petuated, almost as bright -as e'ver, through retelling to the }Dung. So many elements make up the holiday season, elements that are, integral parts' of the abundant, joyous memories to be treasured for years 'to come. There are' ights and smells and tastes,. hundreds 'and hundreds of things which, all together, form the. unique entity that is Christmas. When the Christmas sea- son opens, the gay garlands of green-and red lights go up on Main Street, becoming in- candescent in the misty twilight 'of .a frosty winter evening. Shop windows take on a festive air, those that are Sinrpjx dc.c.Oratetta, welt ;45.. those that are elaborately ar- ranged 'with intricate, fantasy-filled dioramas. The aroma of ,pine is everywhere. Fir branches festoon the' lofty ceilings of large department . stores where happily frenetic,, crowd's throng the aisles ip search of the special gift, for that special person. Caitside, the streets are scented' with roasting chestnuts, peanutS, other -taste treats. particular to the • time of year. Santas, of every shape and size, 'stand guard over chimneys and .kettle.s and remind the endless stream of passers-by that Christina's is a titne .for generosity to those who are 'in need. • ' Suddenly, the home front is a cheerful flurry of activity. Fireplaces,' soon to be hung with brightly-colored stock- ings which Santa will stealth- ily fill, blaze cheerily on usitor ';KITCHEN & BATH SEAFORTH 53 Main St. Seaforth 527-1205 ,r44PAI c4 sCS, "JUDY'S BOUTIQUE" 'DOLL A new Christmas friend for little girls! 11" Judy Doll complete with moveable limbs and rooted hair. Boutique consists of wig, extra dress and shoes. *only 990 each OLD SPICE AFTER SHAVE LOTION 9% OZ. Oh, that Old Spice! A continual favourite for Christmas gift giving, only $3.39 each CRYSTAL LIGHTER/ASHTRAY SET This beautiful crystal set consists'Oa butane table lighter and Matching ashtray. A great gift for Christmas! only $7.99 set KODAK EKTRA 1 CAMERA OUTFIT Outfit contains Ektra 1 Pocket Camera, Flipflash, 20 exposure roll of Kodacolor II film, monogram initials, wrist strap and instruction manual All you need to catch the fun of Christmas! only $23.99 each PHILIPS "PHILISHAVE" TRIPLE-HEAD SHAVER (MODEL #HP1.131) New shape, new size! Features &fully adjustable triple shaving head with 12 blade cutter, wide sideburn/Moustache trimmer, on/off switch and detachable cord. Dual 110/220 volts. Comes in a deluxe gift/travel case. A fine gift! only $49.97 each S S 1714-4,s. Start your Christmas Skopping today cook'ks* PHILIPS FACIAL PLUS Cordless complexion brush that cleans, moisturizes and massages your skin. Attachments include two nylon brushes. soft massager and cream applicators. Operates on two penlite batteries (not included), in an attractive gift/storage case. A great Christmas item! only $14.99 each CHARLESCRAFT "LIFE SAVER" SMOKE ALARM A must kir all homes! This alarm uses a dual chamber ionization system with solid state reliability. Smoke from fire is sensed in the early stages and a loud continuous alarm is sounded. Unit includes low battery warning indicator, manual test button and 9 volt battery. One year manufacturer's warranty. only $16.66 each STORE HOURS OPEN ALL DAY WEDNESDAY IN DECEMBER Open until 9:00 PM the week before Christmas Saturday, bee. 24 close at 6 pan. I4DIES' MANICURE SET A practical gift! This attractive set contains six manicure tools in a compact suede leather clasp purse. AVallable in assorted colour purses. only $6.99 each SUNBEAM "LI'L RED DEVIL" BLOWER DRYER Ideal for travel, makes a great gift! Small, lightweight unit with folding handle for easy storage. Full 800 watts of drying power with two speeds, Concentrator attachment included. only $15.99 each MEN'S LEATHER BILLFOLDS An excellent girt! Fine quality leather billfolds available in six assorted styles and cblours. Compare the value! only $5.99 each • is 80,r4,0 C .PIPES. (:)C0/ tk-s, KEA. TING'S PHARMACY LTD. SEAFORTH, ONT. Phone 527-1990 CARDS MAKE:t19 WOOS LADIES' LEATHER PURSES Compare these values! Good quality leather French purs'eS in assorted styles and colours. A great gift at Christmas. ,o only $5.99 each "ROYAL ALBERT" OR "PARAGON" CUPS AND SAUCERS Fine English brine china cups and saucers in assorted shapes and floral patterns. A welcome Christmas gift! only $4.99 each "PUP" TRANSISTOR RADIO - An Ideal gift! This loveable caricature style beagle pup contains a solid state AM radio, Pup has moving eyes, knitted cap and carry' strap. Operates on two penlite batteries (not Included). only $7.99 each • .••• •• •