INEXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

BY JANE GRANT.

If our purses were only as large as our hearts, how good it would be; but most often the biggest heart owns the smallest purse. There is no meanness in inexpensive Christmas presents, and no one will bethink of the money value of your dainty gift. Bits of silk or velvet, when not found in the family scrap-bag, are obtainable at any milliner's for about fifty cents per pound.

A pretty pin-cushion is soon made of a small Japanese "cat basket," which may be gilded, in the mouth of which is put a velvet cushion.

A key-bag is absolutely necessary to the housekeeper or traveller. It is made of chamois-skin, lined with a bit of brown silk, with a double drawing-string closing the mouth. From an old kid glove cut the letters "KEY," and sew them diagonally across the front of the bag.

Sachets are always acceptable, and a dainty one is made by covering a bag of lavender flowers with a slip of white linen, on which are embroidered the words "Sweet Lavender," and a few scattered flowers.

Grandma will gratefully accept a black silk bag in which to carry her Prayer-book, spectacles, and handkerchief to church.

A scrap of pretty silk or embroidered linen bound with narrow ribbon transforms an ordinary pin-book into a dainty ornament for the dressing-table.

Out of a pretty embroidered handkerchief, such as is sold in any shop, a combined sachet and handkerchief case is made by folding the four corners to the centre, embroidering scattered flowers and the word "Mouchoir" on the corners.

A stick-pin cushion is made of an egg or heart shaped cushion covered with a bit of silk, edged with a frill of lace, and suspended by strings of baby-ribbon.

To make a catch-all, sew three Japanese baskets in a triangle, line each with a bit of silk and cover, and join with a bow.

A spectacle-case is easily made of a twelve-inch piece of one and a half inch black ribbon doubled to form a bag, to which are added strings of baby-ribbon.

An old-fashioned braid pin-ball is made by cutting six pieces of colored dress braid each four inches long. Sewn together with fringed edges, the seams are covered with cat-stitch, and a ball of hair makes the cushion.

A sheet of yellow tissue-paper, some fine wire, two black beads for eyes, and a bit of pasteboard cut in the shape of a huge butterfly, may be soon transformed into a pretty lamp shade.

Cover two five-inch circles of card-board with silk or embroidered linen, fasten on each side by a few stitches, add ribbon strings and bow, and, behold! a whisk-broom-holder.

For a Prayer-book mark a yard of inch-wide ribbon, either cardinal, purple, or lavender, and cut into three pieces with fringed ends. Pass through a small brass ring, fasten with a few stitches, and on each ribbon write with gold paint the words "Gospel," "Collects," "Epistle," etc.

From the girl who knows how to knit, a pair of white wool bed-socks or silk wristers will be a welcome present.

Particularly appropriate to Yule-tide is a poker or tongs holder, well padded, covered with dark velvet, on which are embroidered the words "Ye Fireside Companion."

A holder to keep the pages of music open on the rack is made of ribbon in bag form ten inches by one inch. Fill with small shot, fringe the ends, and tie with baby-ribbon.

Two yards of blue jeans make a splendid play-rug for baby. Line with an old blanket, and sew on the jeans figures of birds, beasts, and letters cut from bright cloth.

Handkerchiefs are always dainty gifts, especially for sending by mail to distant friends. A sheer handkerchief already hemstitched may be ornamented with a band of drawn-work, a strip of insertion with lace edging, or the monogram, favorite flower, or name flower of the future owner.

No matter how small the gift, it is the loving thought and friendly wish which are appreciated by the receiver.