~J~lk~ Merry Christmas to us all， my sparkling air and the smell of pine trees， wood<br >dears. God bless usl"-- Bob Cratchit in smoke (once again， just like the old days!) rising<br >"A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens from the chimney， and a roaring fire in the grate<br > Whichever Christmas it is， the most exciting part<br > of it all is secretly putting the finishing touchesto<br >Making things for Christmas is really what presents and decorations， some of which have<br >Christmas is all about--the satisfaction of see- been under hidden construction for months， or<br >ing the delight on someone s face when you to others whipped up in minutes those that<br >say， "1 made it especially for you，" or discover- have just seen the light of day (or night， depend-<br >ing once again how proudly the Christmas angel ing on how secretly you ve slaved to complete<br >you made last year stands atop the tree. them). In this book you ll find designs that will be<br > heirlooms and things that are ideal to do only<br >tn this mass-production age， it is a joy to conjure moments before you need them (to liven up that<br >up lovely Victorian scenes of the family deco- special spot) or as the gift that no one but you<br >rating the tree in the parlor while the snow swirls can give.<br >outside. But our nostalgia for the past is more<br >than an escape from an atmosphere of com- There are three sections in the book. The first<br >mercialism; it brings an awareness of and an part， "0 Tannenbauml，" shows how to make all<br >appreciation for things made by hand. Once sorts of things for the Christmas tree. The sec-<br >again， "homemade" means better than "store- ond part， "Deck the Halls，" suggests decora-<br >bought." tions you can make for the house. The last part，<br > " Tis the Season to be Jolly，" gives you ideas for<br >Which is better? Christmas in the city， with its gifts， as well as for things you can make for<br >glittering lights and its shops filled with trea- small members of the family--and things they<br >sures， or Christmas in the country， with the crisp can make， too.<br > mmm ~ ~mm - _ -- -~ am-aLmm，~mm<br >