If you are struggling with last minute gifting ideas, take a few tips from the Victorians. Gifts were generally more intimate...something directly from the heart. Most Victorians received only one gift, not like today's bounty that is usually found under the tree on Christmas morning. In fact, most small gifts were hidden deep inside the branches of the tree...
for Mother
an apron, stationery or pen-wipers, a fan, a silk lined sewing basket with its many accessories, a strawberry or tomato shaped pincushion pretty enough to be used as a tree decoration, lacy needle cases, a silver thimble and sewing scissors. tea ball or strainer, jewelry, a magazine subscription, cologne, handkerchiefs or scarves, combs, a needle-case or watch-case
for Father or Grandfather
a muffler or scarf, embroidered suspenders, Berlin work slippers, a monogrammed tobacco pouch, a chamois eyeglass cleaner elegantly bound in a crewel stitched cover, an India work humidor, or a gift of homemade cookies in a handsome handmade container, an umbrella, a cigar case, embroidered bed slippers
for Grandmother
pomander ball, wonder ball (small gifts wrapped in a ball of yarn), a plant, photograph frame, doilies, a rosebud sachet, a pen-wiper in the shape of a water lily, a knitting bag worked with blue silk floss and matching blue fringe, book-markers
for a Girl
hair ribbons, drawing pencils , a muff, a wardrobe of crochet and lace edged blankets and dresses for dolly, a tiny wax doll in its nutshell cradle, diminutive reproductions of bed quilts, a painting set, a fan, a music book, some sachets, a sewing kit, a book, a canary, mittens, a bisque doll
for a Boy
a sled, stamp album, skates, some carved and painted toy animals, a pen wiper hidden beneath some engagingly worked plaything, a model train, toy pistol, wind-up soldier, marbles, building blocks, a savings bank, shoeshine kit
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