Evening star. [volume], December 03, 1938, Page A-13, Image 13

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC

                
Choosing One’s Personal Christmas Cards Is a Fascinating Occupation
... t - -
Observation Discloses 'ihat
Men Buy for the Pictures;
- Women for Sentiments
Many Interesting and Novel
Touches Seen in This Year’s
Crop of Yuletide Greetings
By BET8¥ CASWELL,
Wnmnn's fcdttor.
So interesting an institution as the Christmas card should, it would
•eetn, have A long and fascinating history. These little messages add
tokens of Affection from friends far And near should have sprung from
sort# Charming legertd of Old—dr be irrevocably a part of some historic
Incident of the past. *
But such is not the case. As firmly as the custom how holds us ip its
elutches, It came into being in a very •
noiiChalant and uninspiring way.
The very first evidence of any ob
Ject approaching
a Christinas card
were these
w "Christmas
pieces.” written
by English Chil
dren in the reign
of Queen Anne,
primarily d e -
signed as speci
mens of hand
writing, to -show
1 m pro vement
over that of the
preceding year.
These specimen
sheets occasion
ally had en
Betsy Caswell.
graved or otherwise ornamented
borders, depicting some of the out
standing battles, coronations, earth
* quakes, etc., of the 12 months past—
sort of an early March of Time, as
It were. Some had scriptural bord
ers—others were merely outline
sketches colored and filled in by
1 the young artisans.
The initial appearance of the
Christmas card as we know it, was
no more glamorous, in 1845, a
painter in England named W. C.
Dobson conceived the idea of send
ing out lithograph copies of one of
his paintings to his friends. The
next year, a gentleman named Sir
Henry Cole, who, even as you and
* T, was unable to keep up with his
correspondence and general friend
ly business, asked another painter,
a Royal Acadamician, John Calcr.tt
Horsley, to design for him a spe
cial card which he might dispatch
to his friends and acquaintances in
' lieu of Christmas letters. Copies
of this original card happen to still
be in existence—and a sketch of it
shows the now popular theme of
a merry family grouped about the
festive board. Side pieces stressed
such poignant little scenes as “Feed
ing the Hungry” and "Clothing me
Naked”; the motto was “A Merry
Christmas and a Happy New Year
to You”—just as it so often is today.
Louis Prang's Work
Was Important.
The next outstanding name that
pops up in connection with Christ
mas cards is that of Louis Prang,
Who, among many other enterprises,
started to print such cards in about
1847, in Roxbury, Mass. At this time
it was often the custom to offer
prises to competitors for the best de
signs. And of course in that day
and age, as the idea of Christmas
cards was taking hold, many people
did manufacture their own in one
form or another.
NoW, however, all is changed. You '
can still "roll your own,” naturally,
if you want to—but who wants to
with the wealth of beautiful cards
obtainable for a few cents? This
year's crop, I am interested to see,
is even larger, more varied and
handsomer than ever—so much so
that it took me ages to come to a
decision in making my selection.
There are cards to suit almost every
condition and circumstance—and
they range from exquisitely beautiful
religious ones to pert animal mo
tifs, or humorous expressions.
It is interesting to hear from the
buyers and sales clerks who han
dle the Christmas card depart
ments that, from general observa
tion, It would appear that men select
I heir cards because of the pictures,
whereas women choose theirs be
cause they like certain sentiments.
Whether this is a give-away as to
y----—
the sentimental character of the
gentler sex or whether it is Just One
of those things with no psycholog
ical significance I wouldn't know.
Dignity ltather
Than “Gush.”
When selecting your cards, es
pecially if you want elaborate mes
sages or mottoes on them, beware
of too milch “gush.” It may be all
right in one or two instances, if
you really know the recipient that
well—but it certainly doesn't go for
the boss or the girl you have Just
met at a dance. If you wish to
have all your cards alike, with your
name printed or engraved upon
them—then choose a serttlment
that is formal and dignified and can
never give offense no matter to
Whom the card is sent.
There are plenty or cards tnese
days for specific occasions—^such as
a special message for those whose
birthday falls on the 25th; for one
who is far away across the seas—for
sister, brother, father, mother—and
all the relatives, including Aunt
Emma's black cat, practically. You
don’t have to use brainwork here—
just reach out blindly for the one
that fills the bill, stamp the en
velope, address it and drop it down
the chute.
Be careful in picking out humor
ous cards; they are close kin to the
comic valentine, and may give more
hurt feelings than you can imagine.
A lot depends upon the mood the re
cipient is in when the card arrives—
you can’t possibly predict that, so
maybe it is better to play safe and
send something gentler unless you
are positive your choice will not
offend.
The English hunting print, or old
inn, or snow scene card is usually
harmless, and oh! so pretty—but it
isn’t a good idea to send one to some
one bedridden in a hospital—of to an
indoor spirit who doesn’t know one
end of a horse from another, hates
cold weather, and doesn’t see why
inns are any more picturesque than
the nearest hot dog stand.
You get what I mean—as in every
thing in life, appropriateness is all
important. Suit your card to the
person for whom it is intended—
and you probably will never go
wrong. And remember—men like
pictures, and women like sentiments!
Country Pot Roast
Here is a recipe for a country pot
roast. For this roast you will use
chuck or rump, or possibly even a
round. This roast ranges from 4 to
8 pounds in size. Order the amount
you need, allowing »i to % pound
meat per persop <when bone is
weighed with the meat). Wipe the
roast with a damp cloth. Spread
generously with a rieh prepared
mustard and dust all over with flour.
Brown in hot fat either on top of
stove (in Dutch oven or roasting
pant or uncovered, in hot oven
(425 degrees F.). Then add one-half
cup hot water or tomatoes (canned or
fresh) and several bay leaves. Cover
lightly. Boast slowly on top of stove
or in oven (350 degrees F.> about
three hours, or until tender. When
the roast is almost done, vegetables,
such as carrots, onions, potatoes
and turnips, whole, quartered, sliced
or cubed, may be arranged around
the roast, the cover replaced and
the roasting continued until both
vegetable and meat «fe tender.
Frocks with Lots of Style
For Christmas Parties
1565-6,
I5I6-B
r, By BARBARA BELL.
I Every little girl wants new frocks
•jicr Christmas, what with many par
ties and all! Here are two fashions
-that will delight the hearts of the
> younger set!
Design 1516-B has a charmingly
quaint Kate Greenaway air about it,
with ltt high Waistline and square
week. Bor play, make It of gingham,
Bi«n, percale or chains. Made up In
ifelvSteen, organdy dr taffeta, will
Be pretty enough to speak a piece in,
It Sunday school.
I Design 1565-B is straight and full
With smocking just below the shoul
$ der yoke and a small, round collar, a
• elastic pattern, that you'll use in
numerable times, for dresses of dim
* My, linen, dotted Swiss, gingham or
batiste.
1 -Barbara BeU Pattern No, 1516-1T
-*s designed for slaes 2, 4, 6 ard 8
jjear*. 3lse 4 requires 3 yards of 35
/
inch material; <Va yards of ribbon or
braid; 1% yards for ribbon belt.
Barbara Bell Pattern No. 1565-B
Ns designed for sizes, 2, 3, 4, 5 and *
y^rs. Size 4 requires 2% yards of 35
ir.Jh material, for the ensemble.
J A.
* With Best Wishes ForV. *
1 I
I "****%■■'■■*#
No matter what message you wish to send this year, the newest crop of
Christmas cards appears able to carry it out for you in the most satisfactory
way. “For all sorts and conditions of men’—and women—they will bear
your greeting, adequately, all over the world. __aUr rhota
By ANGELO PATRL
Somewhere there is a little girl
about 15 eating her heart out be
cause her father spends his week
ends in a drunken stupor and the
remaining days of the week in get
ting over it. Of course his home
is neglected. The furniture is worn
and dingy. There are holes in the
rugs. The pretty little girl, just
beginning to think about the boys,
has no chance to bring them home
and know them in natural, friendly
fashion.
Father is very strict about his
daughter's behavior. She may not
go to the school ball game with a
friendly boy. She cannot go on a
Saturday hike with the girls under
the care of an experienced woman.
Father is net going to have his
daughter "running around.” It is
all pretty hard on a little girl who
is healthy, cheerful, a good sport
with it all. Lately there are signs
that her resistance is getting weaker.
Adolescence
Trying Time
For Child
Give Sympathetic
Understanding
If Possible ^
One of the boys asked her to go
to the afternoon ball game and she
had to say "no” because her mother
said, “Father would never hear of
it.” She didn’t want to tell the
boy that she was not allowed to go
with him, so she swallowed some
hand lotion so she could truthfully
say she was sick. She was truth
fully sick, but rtobody except herself
knew why. What can be done for
such girls?
School provides carefully selected
entertainment, carefully chaperoned
"affairs” for the boys and girls, so
they can meet and enjoy one an
other’s society under pleasant condi
tions in decent surroundings. But
if parents will not allow the children
to accept these opportunities what
are the children going to do? You
know the answer to that as well as
1 do.
Nobody wants to have young girls
in theif early teens on the loose with
boys, but surely an afternoon ball
game between two school teams
cannot be classed as "loose.” Surely
any parent with an ounce of intelli
gence can see the difference between
youthful pleasures and youth’s ex
cesses. And those who cannot need
tb have the difference pointed out
to them by experienced, responsible
leadens of youth, in every school
where there are adolescent hoys and
girls there is heed for experienced
men and women whose duty and
privilege it is to protect the boys
dnd girls in the enjoyment of their
adolescence.
Adolescence is a trying time for
the children. TO be sure they worry
theif parents, but what the parents
feel is little compared to what the
children undergo ih the various
phases of their growth. These girts
and boys need sympathetic under
standing, wise guidance and healthy
minded, internment leadership, it
they cannot get these at home they
must get them outside. Healthy
youth is the best promise for healthy
maturity, and the community is
keenly interested in the mental and
physical health of its younger gen
eration.
I hope that somebody close by
will go to the aid of “Adolescent.”
CCoprrls&t, 1338.)
r.
Know Your Hunting Dog?
If You Wish to Discuss Sport
Check up on Various Types
By MARY ALLEN HOOD.
There are almost as many “huntin’
dawgs” as there are spots on a Dal
matian. They range all the way
from the hound which follows his
dusky master up the country lane
after “a mess o’ rabbit” to the lovely
English setter, posing at a dog show,
his handler beside him.
•rdinary vocabularies include just
two names for canines implicated m
that “no hunting, dog or gun” sign.
They’re “hound” and “bird dog.”
Those who have a front and back
yard, and therefore feel closer to
nature, divide “bird dogs” into two
divisions known as “setter” and
“pointer.” To be really Impressive
one need merely add “spaniel.” Gen
erally only people whose homes are
entirely surrounded by land go that
far.
Almost any one can spot a pointer.
It’S the setters who confuse the
mind. And all setters whose names
can’t be recalled pass as “English
setters.” Further, all hounds are
either bloodhounds or just hounds
(only they aren’t).
An English setter is one of three
divisions of the setter tribe. He’s a
white dog with black, tan, or black
and tan deckings over his body.
"Llewellyn setter" is the term used'
to designate a tri-colored (black, tan
and white) Bsglish setter. “Belton
Blue” is another descriptive term
used when the mixture of Mack and
white markings suggests a bluish
tinge.
The Irish Setter is reddish. Some
have mahogany-tinted coats, while
others lean to a golden chestnut.
A Gordon setter is a gentleman
whose main color is black. There
may be distinct tan markings.
Spaniels used for hunting here
about fall mostly into two classes,
springers and cockers. That leaves
seven other types. Cockers may be
black, black and white, liver, buff
or anything within reason. The
larger, heavier member, somewhere
between a setter and cocker in
size, is a springer spaniel.
Hound dogs can be coon hounds,
basset hounds, beagle hounds or fox
hounds, not to mention the 14
other specimens. Basset hounds are
often seen and seldom recognized.
They’re the short-legged, blood
hound-headed pups With faces full
of wrinkles. Beagles are small, low
fellows called “rabbit dawgs*’ in
some localities. But the coon hound
causes the most speculation. Not
being recognized by the A. K. C.
doesn’t hurt his feelings at all. He’s
the farmer’s dog who raided the
tourist’s sandwich box. Same peo
ple call him a "coon dog,” which is
pretty close. He weighs around 60
pounds Cwhen fed) and has long,
hanging ears, in color he may be
anything. He Is a friendly, enthusi
astic chap, especially within sight of
food.
Fox hounds are the big white dogs
with tan spots which travel in packs
with huntets mounted on horses
behind them. They average about
23 inches in height at the shoulder
and give the appearance of being
fleet. Are lighter than a pointer for
their height, although similar in
color. Carry their tails high and
ears down.
So now, when any one of your en
thusiastic huntin’ friends start*
talking about his favorite sport, at
least you’ll know which dog to as
sign him. And a few well chosen
remarks on the subject will advance
your intelligence quota 100 per cent
—at least as far as he is concerned!
n,
,m'— --—— <•
Giving a ‘Studio Party’ Is
A Good Way to Entertain
Group of Young Friends
Prize for Best ‘Movie Acting’
Should Be Presented to One
Displaying Greatest Skill
By JOAN FORTUNE and NORTON HUGHES JONATHAN.
If you want a grin instead of a groan the next time maids and men
receive your party invitations, here's the good-time dynamite you need to
blow thelh Out of that deadly ho-hum state of mind.
Below are plans for Shooting the super-super movie epic of the year.
It is a new party idea which will give your friends an opportunity to
"emote” In a big way, and it’s sure to provide a good time for every One.
Almoat every one has the “acting bug.” You can capitalize on that to
give toe moac.onjinai costume party
Of the pre-holiday season. Laughs
come' thick and fast when ini
pastes on a, mustache and a per
petual scowl; there isn’t any ico to
break when Babs arrives, carrying
the unpaid mortgage under one arm
and the old homestead, realistical
ly drawn or painted, under the
other.
Get started on the preparations
long before the big night. You’ll
want to make a movie camera (with
crank and tripod) and concoct a
scenario. Invitations go oat (n the
form of a letter which should read
something like this:
Dear (Guest’s name):
Our talent scout believes that
you are the movie "discovery” of
the year. Because of his en
thusiasm we are offering you a
leading role in our colossal pro
duction of “Little Nellie's Escape,
or the Tragedy of the Piremans
Bride.” Shooting on this epic
of brave hearts tom asunder
starts promptly at t o’clock on
the evening of (date). Telephone
Our casting director at (number)
for full information.
Hollywoodenly yours.
(Your Name),
President Stupendous Pictures.
Here’s Tip on
What t& t)a.
Prepftrg a rough scenario from
your movie memory. Include in it
parts for all the guests and pour
in all the melodramatic scenes you
can—tearful scenes, romantic scenes,
escape scenes, darkly villainous
scenes and "hero-battles-villain”
scenes. Don't worry about a plot,
but string the scenes all together
In any crazy order which suggests
Itself, Dialogue should be of the
"unhand her, you bekst!” and “Rol
lo, dear Hollo, I've never loved any
one but you, so help me!” school of
dramatic writing.
Let your imagination take charge.
If you're stuck, call in a friend
or two. Many a real scenario has
been "brewed” by three or four
writers.
When the guests telephone tell
them what role they are to play
and ask them to come to the party
“in character.” This means that
Grace, who will play Little Nellie,
arrives looking like ah 1M0 model
of Shirley Temple. Bill, as Des
perate Dude Desmond, the villain
of the movie, dresses the part, and
Hank, who portrays the role of
Honest Harold Harkwright, the G
Man, looks terribly strong and noble.
The guests, with a little help from
you, will happily enter into the
melodramatic spirit of the occa
sion—in both dress and manner.
When you re ready to begin the
party, seat yourself In the director's
chair and appoint a cameraman.
Then take up the first scene, ex
plaining the action and reading
the dialogue. Then rehearse the
scene several times before “shooting”
it. By the time the camera is sup
posedly turning the actors will be
able to really “go to town”—InJecV
tng hilarious dialogue and action
of their own. Don’t worry if they
don’t stick to the script, because
scenes are usually twice as funny
When they don’t.
I Your super-super productton will
I be one long howl! Imagine the fun
when Fred and Jack, as Bloodhounds
One and TWO, “tree”’ the vfirain «n
top of a stepladder; when bashful
Hank proposes to Babs. the light of
both his real and reel life; when
Hank and the villain struggle on
the brink of a great precipice. Every
body at the party will quickly en
; ter into the fun. You won’t have
| to worry about “wallflowers” and
breaking the ice.
Of course, you award a prize for
the best acting—five slices of ham
wrapped in cellophane.
Perhaps you can’t become a Holly
wood star, but you can give m stu
dio party. There’s a four star op
portunity for the clever host or
hostess that win provide many
laughs—loud and long.
Tip (or Maids
Who Get Around.
Here's an easy way to please an
Important Young Man. Ask him.
soon after he begins to show an
interest in you, what he frankly
thinks about vivid nail oolish, lip
stick and feminine smoking. Then
follow his preferences when you’re
with him. Knowing that what he
Mkes is important to you will give
him that warm, happy, compliment
ed feeling.
Tip (or Young
Men About Town.
Telephone your "date" of the eve
ning when yon will be more than
a few minutes late is a grand way
to give her confidence in yob as a
fellow who knows his way around.
Shell be sure to appreciate your
unusual thoughtfulness.
If yon are a chib social chair'
man, or are riving a private party
soon, the new "Life in Your
Party” booklet will be of real help.
Send your request and a 3-cent
stamp to the authors of this
column in care of The Evening
Star.
(Copyright, 1838.)
To Reheat Puddings
Steamed puddings can be made
days before serving, stored in a dry
place and merely reheated when
wanted. To reheat them, steam
them Ip covered molds 45 minutes in
water to cover or put them in the
upper part of double boiler, tightly
covered, for 30 minutes.
To Add Coloring
Pruit colorings often make foods
more attractive, but be sure you
add the coloring carefully. Remove
some of the food to a small dish and
add a little coloring. Mb thoroughly
to prevent streaking and then return
- to the main dish of food.
►-——.—,
Beauty Aids
Make Ideal
»
Presents
Start Shopping Now
To Avoid Haggard
Worn-Out Look
By PATRICIA LINDSAY.
Take it from your beauty editor, if
not from any other person—Do your
Christmas shopping early!
I’ve written that before, but it can
bear repeating. What fun is there
to Christmas if you are haggard and
worn and your nerves are jangling?
How successful is any party if you
look as if you need a week's sleep
and a change of diet?
I know a woman who told me re
cently that she bought all her gifts
for women right at a beauty counter.
"All women adore beauty aids,” she
said, "no matter what their ages, in
less than an hour I can get through
all the women on my list and give
.them something which will delight
them. So Christmas shopping never
tires me!”
or course, it isn’t as simple as that
for most of us. But it is true that
your cosmetic counter just groans
with gifts of all prices which most
women appreciate. Bath aids, per
fumes, sachets, powder's, compacts,
beauty kits and nail sets—hundreds
of items awaiting your selection.
Even prissys, who claim they never
use anything but soap and water, se
cretly cherish a bottle of good per
fume or a double compact! Present
them with something daring or lux
urious in the cosmetic line and their
Christmas will be a happy one!
If you shop early enough, most
stores will wrap cosmetic gifts at
tractively and save you that chore
(if chore it isr. In fact, so elaborate
are many of the herns that little
trimming is necessary.
So be off today, and make your
first stop at a cosmetic counter!
More beauty for you and the women
you know!
Before going on this reducing
diet have your physician give his
approval. While reducing follow
Mias Lindsay’s diet health rules,
which may he had upon regaeaL
Inclose a self-addressed, stamped
(3-cent) envelope.
Twenty-Seventh Day.
BREAKFAST.
_ , calories.
Drink the strained juice sf a lemon
tn 2-3 glass of warm water every
morning. at least one-half hour Be
fore breakfast___,_ 60
and
Choice of:
1 ordinary drinking tumbler of un
sweetened pineapple juiee . _ . inn
Grapefruit and prune iutee mixed ion
and
Choice of:
4 medium prunes—fresh, stewed or
canned_ 100
. or
3 canned fits_ 100
and
Choice of:
Clear coffee or tea with tittle lemon_
Total calories for breakfast_ 250
Tall girl allowed 350
Note: If you feel hungry the middle of the
morning drink one ordinary glggm trf term a to
LUNCHEON
Chopped egg salad ttkrMhich . 250
1 glass skimmed mUk or buttermilk.. r*
Total --”335
DINNER.
1 small glass fruit juieo . 50
2 smtn Pieces of steel or 2 lean lamb
chops 200
1 cup raw shredded cabbage with lit
X eup ,88
1 medium fresh tomato_ 30
1 good slice melon_ 3 00
Total _ _ 530
Total calories for day_ _1.106
Tan girl allowed .. _ _1.400
Twenty-Eighth Bay.
Sunday.
Plan to stay at home and limit your eat
ins, to:
Two saladi—one vegetable, one fruit.
Drink two glasses of skimmed milk.
Eat not more than two slices of bread.
(Copyright, 30,33.)
Dorothy Dix
Says—
I Freedom Better
; Than Unsuitable
1 Marriage
Dear Miss Dix: Do you know of
any good substitute for a husband
apd children and a home in a nor
mal woman’s life? I am 38 years
of age and cannot become resigned
to being an old maid. Although 1
am a businesswoman, there is al
ways with the the feeling of loneli
ness and the emptiness of life.
THIRTY-EIGHT.
Answer—There is no satisfactory
substitute for love of a husband and
children. Women are created to be
wives and mothers. Every woman
longs for her own man, a child in
her arms, and her own house. It is
the cosmic urge.
No one will deny that the happiest
fate that can befall a woman is to
have a good husband who Is kind,
tender, loving, and who makes a
comfortable support for his family.
And if to him is added cherubic
youngsters with naturally curly hair
—who never get dirty, or have the
colic, or have to be spanked—and a
beautiful home, why. her cup of
bliss does indeed overflow.
This is the picture of marriage
that every woman visualizes for her
self, and it is what makes all women
so crazy to marry. Every woman is
sure she is going to get the ideal
husband and have the wonder kid
dies, a nice home, plenty of money
and nothing to worry about. Why,
I often have girls tell me that they
are going to get married because
I they are tired of working!
Of course, there are a few women
wno draw the prize in the matri
monial lottery and get all of which
they have dreamed, but such daugh
ters of Lady Luck are as scarce as
hens’ teeth. So before you convince
yourself that marriage is a panacea
for loneliness and heart-hunger and
the emptiness of life, look about you
and see what the girls you know
who have married have got out of it.
You complain of loneliness. Mow
many husbands do you know who
are companionable with their wives?
Does Tom spend his evenings at
home with Sally and the kids, or
does he put on his hat and go off
to the poolroom as soon as he has
had his dinner? Do Sam and Mollv
have Jolly talks together, or do they
sit up in a silence so thick you could
cut it with a knife? Does Bob try
to amuse Betty by relating all the
interesting things he has seen and
done during the day, or does he bury
himself in his newspaper and only
grunt when she tries to talk to him?
Mighty few men are companions
to their wives, and, when they aren’t,
the unmarried girl has this advan
tage— she can go out to the movies
or a chib with another girl, whereas
the married woman has to stay at
home and watch the baby sleep.
As for work, the average wife has
to labor In her own home far harder
than she ever did in the store or
shop In which she was employed
before marriage. There is no 8
hour day, no holidays, or Sundays
off for her. And there is no pay
day, either.
-« ■ —
Manners
of the
Moment
Did I hear some one say that filing
nails in public wasn’t being done?
1 It is. I’ve seen it being done. I
saw it at a football game. I’ve seen
it on a park bench. And I've seen
it in the movies.
Maybe it isn't exactly what you'd
call the “Best people” who Indulge.
I couldn't get names and addresses.
But it’s being done all right.
Not that I approve. I don’t like
the sound. It puts my teeth on
edge. And I think that any personal
habit which puts other people’s
teeth on edge ought to be reserved
for the home.
Of course if you’re going to let
women use lipstick in public (and
I don’t quite see how you’re going
to stop them), I suppose you ought
to be willing to let men die their
calls.
But really, and truly, I do hate
the sound of ft. And so do lots of
other people. Couldn’t you please,
my cleanly man, wait until you get
home? JEAN.
A Lacy, Crocheted Doily
By BARONESS PIANTONI.
Prom tills attractive 10-lneh doily, you can have two sizes. By
making the center six inches and the regular size doily you will have
pieces that are appropriate for luncheon sets. They will delight you so
much that you will want to have one for every table. You still have
time to make one for Christmas for your dear friends.
The pattern envelope contains complete, easy~to-understand di
rections; also what crochet hook and what material and how much you
will need.
To obtain this pattern, send for No. 1009 and inclose* 15 cents In
stamps or coin to cover service and postage Address orders to the
Needlework Editor of The Evening Star.
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