Once upon a time there lived in
Myra a good man named Nicholas. When he was a young man
his father and mother died of
the plague, and he was left the sole heir of
all their vast estate; but he looked upon all
this money as belonging to God and felt
that he, himself, was merely the steward
of God’s mercies. So he went about everywhere doing good and sharing his riches
with all those who were in need.
Now there lived in that country a certain
nobleman who had three beautiful daughters. He had been very rich, but he lost all
his property and became so poor that he
did not know what to do to provide for his
family. His daughters were anxious to be
married, but their father had no money to
give them dowries and, in that country, no
maiden could marry unless she had her mar-
riage portion, or dowry. They were so very
poor that they could scarcely get any food
to eat. Their clothes were so worn and
ragged that they would not go out of the
house and their father was overcome with
shame and sorrow.
When the good Nicholas heard of their
troubles he longed to help them. He knew
that the father was proud and that it would
be hard to give him money; so he thought
that it would be best to surprise them with
a gift. Then Nicholas took some gold and tying it in a long silken purse, went at once
to the home of the poor nobleman. It was
night and the beautiful maidens were fast
asleep while the brokenhearted father, too
wretched to go to bed, sat by the fireside
watching and praying.
Nicholas stood outside, wondering how
he could bestow his gift without being seen
when suddenly the moon came from behind the clouds and he saw that a window
in the house was open. Creeping softly to
the open window, he threw the purse right
into the room where it fell at the feet of the
nobleman. The father picked up the purse
and was very much surprised to find it full
of gold pieces.
Awakening his daughters the father said:
“See this purse which came through the
window and fell at my feet. It is indeed a gift from Heaven. God has remembered us
in our time of need.”
After they had rejoiced together, they
agreed to give most of the gold to the eldest
daughter, so that she would have her dowry
and could wed the young man she loved.
Not long after that, Nicholas filled
another silken purse with gold and again he
went by night so that no one should see
him, and he threw this purse also through
the open window. Then when the father
saw this golden gift he again gave thanks.
The money he gave to the second daughter
who, like her sister, at once married the man
of her choice.
Meanwhile the father was very curious to
find out who was so kind to them, for he
wished to thank the person who had come
in the night to help them with these golden gifts. So he watched and waited night after
night, and after a time the good Nicholas
came with another silken purse filled with
gold pieces for the youngest daughter.
He was just about to throw it into the
room when the nobleman rushed from the
house and, seizing him by his long robe,
knelt before him, saying: “O good Nicholas,
servant of God, why seek to hide thyself?”
And he kissed his hands and feet and tried
to thank him.
But Nicholas answered: “Do not thank
me, my good man, but thank the Heavenly
Father who has sent me to you in answer
to your prayers. I am but His messenger
to help those who trust in Him. Tell no
man of these gifts of gold, nor who brought
them to you in the night, for my deeds are
done in His name.”
Thus the youngest daughter of the nobleman was married and she and her father and
sisters all lived happily the rest of their
lives.
The good Nicholas went about from place
to place, and wherever he went he did deeds
of kindness, so that all the people loved him.
One time he took a long journey to the
Holy Land, and when he was upon the sea
there came a terrible storm; so that the ship
was tossed about and almost wrecked, and
all the sailors gave up hope.
But the good Nicholas said: “Fear not,
our Heavenly Father will bring us safely
into harbor.’’ Then he knelt and prayed
to God and the storm ceased and the boat
was brought safely to the land. Where-
upon the sailors fell at the feet of Nicholas
and thanked him.
He answered them humbly: “Thank your
Father who is in Heaven, for He is the ruler
of us all. He it is who rules the earth and
the sky and the sea, and who, in His good
mercy, spared our lives that we may serve
Him.”
When Nicholas returned from Palestine
he went to the city of Myra, where he was
appointed a bishop. After that he preached
God’s Word and went about doing good all
of his life. When he died the people said:
“We will not call him Bishop Nicholas, but
we will call him Saint Nicholas, for if ever
there was a saint upon earth it was our good
Nicholas.” And so to this day he is called
“Good Saint Nicholas.”
And now in many countries, they tell the
story of the good Saint Nicholas, and how
he goes about the earth at Christmas time bringing gifts of love to all who deserve them,
and because he had put his gifts of gold
in the long silken purses, our children to-day
hang up their long stockings to hold his
gifts; and when the children are very good
he fills their stockings with sweetmeats,
toys and trinkets, but if they have been
naughty, they will find a bunch of switches,
showing that they deserve to be
punished.
We all know that on Christmas Eve Saint
Nicholas will come in the night, for he never
likes to be seen; and we know that he will
always live, — for is he not the spirit of love?
and love can never die.
So, every Christmas, let us give our gifts
as he did those silken purses so long ago
— without anyone knowing about it — and
let our gifts be a surprise. Then we, too, can have the spirit of love and join in this
celebration of Christmas with good Saint
Nicholas.
He threw the purse full of gold coins through an open window.
Wassailer carols by sailors versus the better known A-wassailing Carol called "Gloucestershire Wassail" sung by Hank Cramer below and also an earlier version written below from Chappell's Ancient English Melodies.
Hank Cramer, folk singer, performs an "updated" version of the same folk lyric below.
WANDERING WASSAILERS.
Wassail, wassail, all over the town, Our bread it is white, and our ale it is brown; Our bowl it is made of the maplin tree, So here, my good fellow, I'll drink it to thee.
The wassailing bowl, with a toast within, Come, fill it up unto the brim ; Come fill it up that we may all see; With the wassailing bowl I'll drink to thee.
Come, butler, come bring us a bowl of your best, And we hope your soul in heaven shall rest; But if you do bring us a bowl of your small, Then down shall go butler, the bowl, and all.
O butler, O butler, now don't you be worst, But pull out your knife and cut us a toast; And cut us a toast, one that we may all see ; With the wassailing bowl I'll drink to thee.
Here's to Dobbin and to his right eye! God send our mistress a good Christmas-pie! A good Christmas-pie as e'er we did see; With the wassailing bowl I'll drink to thee.
Here's to Broad May and his broad horn, God send our master a good crop of corn, A good crop of corn as we all may see; With the wassailing bowl I'll drink to thee.
Here's to Colly and to her long tail, We hope our master and mistress heart will ne'er fail; But bring us a bowl of your good strong beer, And then we shall taste of your happy New Year.
Be there here any pretty maids? we hope there be some; Don't let the jolly wassailers stand on the cold stone, But open the door and pull out the pin, That we jolly wassailers may all sail in.
The words of this carol are original to those of Martin Luther's "Vom Himmel hock, 1567. The word "Balulalow" is from the Scottish meaning "lullaby" and it is a carol meant for Mary, mother of Jesus, to be sung at Christmas time.
With the accession of Constantine (born at York, February 27, 274, son of the sub-Emperor Constantius by a British mother, the "fair Helena of York," and who, on the death of his father at York in 306, was in Britain proclaimed Emperor of the Roman Empire) brighter days came to the Christians, for his first act was one of favor to them. He had been present at the promulgation of Diocletian's edict of the last and fiercest of the persecutions against the Christians, in 303, at Nicomedia, soon after which the imperial. palace was struck by lightning, and the conjunction of the events seems to have deeply impressed him. No sooner had he ascended the throne than his good feeling towards the Christians took the active form of an edict of toleration, and subsequently he accepted Christianity, and his example was followed by the greater part of his family. And now the Christians, who had formerly hidden away in the darkness of the Catacombs and encouraged one another with "Alleluias," which served as a sort of invitatory or mutual call to each other to praise the Lord, might come forth into the Imperial sunshine and hold their services in basilicas or public halls, the roofs of which (Jerome tells us) "re-echoed with their cries of Alleluia," while Ambrose says the sound of their psalms as they sang in celebration of the Nativity "was like the surging of the sea in great waves of sound." And the Catacombs contain confirmatory evidence of the joy with which relatives of the Emperor participated in Christian festivities. In the tomb of Constantia, the sister of the Emperor Constantine, the only decorations are children gathering the vintage, plucking the grapes, carrying baskets of grapes on their heads, dancing on the grapes to press out the wine. This primitive conception of the Founder of Christianity shows the faith of these early Christians to have been of a joyous and festive character, and the Graduals for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, the beautiful Kyrie Eleisons (which in later times passed into carols), and the other festival music which has come down to us through that wonderful compilation of Christian song, Gregory's Antiphonary, show that Christmas stood out prominently in the celebrations of the now established Church, for the Emperor Constantine had transferred the seat of government to Contantinople, and Christianity was formally recognized as the established religion. W.F. Dawson
This Christmas themed silhouette, designed by Jo McMahon, would make a lovely token for any family, friend or acquaintance to receive during the holidays this year. Download, print and cut it from acid free papers and then mount it on top of a green or red background paper. Send it as a card or frame it and give it as a gift...
"All around the Christmas tree! Pretty things are there fro me, I am happy as can be Dancing 'round the Christmas Tree!"
The Rocking Rollers 6-pc. assortment: Santa, Rudolf, snowman, elf, bird and soldier have weighted bottoms that make them bounce upright when pushed or rolled, from 1965.
Below, there's no people like snow people... Particularly when they're Ideal's happy vinyl snowmen. These jolly two fellows are 18 and 29 inches.
The Regal Reindeer makes Christmas complete; they give Santa's sleigh the "go."
Christmas caroling angels come in a three piece set. They are singing with joy and make every child's face light up!
The Standing Santa Claus with a sculpted face, left, is 32 inches. He's so cute you want to pinch his jolly cheeks...and you can because they're in glorious ruddy 3-dimension.
The standing 46 inch Santa Claus is the BIG star of Christmas!
Six smaller and moodier Santas in a row...with faces that smile, laugh, glower and glow come in 17 1/2 inches each.
Sparkling color! Fanciful Shapes! These Christmas trees delight with Santa, Snowman and Reindeer themes. Each are see-through and measure 14 inches.
Four different Yuletide fantasy characters: a striped horse, Christmas angel, clown and bell ringer all fourteen inches tall.
And finally Disney Christmas Balls 2 assorted choices Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse spin and bounce with happily all season long.
God starts the custom of giving Grace. Grace is an undeserved gift. He gives mankind the forgiveness of sin through the love and sacrifices of Jesus. Then all of the ''warlocks'' have the right to accept our, oh excuse me, their election. But first they, you and me must start walkin' fast...
"Miracle on 34th Street. 1947 colorized. Christmas comedy staring Maureen O'Hara and John Payne, feature a young Virginia (Natalie Wood) and Santa (Edmund Gwenn). All of these actors answer this famous Christmas question.
The following, reprinted from the editorial page of the New York Sun, was written by the late Mr. Frank P. Church:
We take pleasure in answering at once and thus prominently the communication below, expressing at the same time our great gratification that its faithful author is numbered among the friends of The Sun:
DEAR EDITOR:
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says "If you see it in The Sun it's so." Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?
VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the scepticism of a sceptical age. They do not believe except they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus! It would be as dreary as if there were no Virginias. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished. Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world. You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, Virginia, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding. No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.
Many of our social and domestic customs are a natural recognition of the new order which the Babe of Bethlehem introduced into the world. There can surely be nothing worthy the name of a Christian celebration of the feast if it be not associated with the clearing off of old scores, the payment-as far as possible of our just debts, the forgiving of debtors who through honest poverty are unable to pay, and the laying aside of old grudges and quarrels. Yet it is to be feared that some of us have not quite outgrown the need of that lesson which Dickens taught in the immortal Christmas Carol of 1843.
And we feel, too, that Christmas is peculiarly the Christmas Lore Children's Day. One of our most genial humorists from the Victorian era has touched a true chord when, personifying the day as usual, he says:
In Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Hungary there is a regular custom of setting a small sheaf of corn on a pole in the gable of the house or barn; and he would be thought a very curmudgeon who would refuse the birds their Christmas feast. The boys in Denmark say "It is for Santa Claus's white horse "; and this is suggestive of what probably originated the custom. There can be little doubt that it is a pre-Christian survival, and that the sheaf was at first intended for the mythical god, Odin and his horse Sleipnor.
But in the northern countries generally there is a prevailing notion that the lower animals ought to have a share in the Christmas bounty. St. Francis wished the oxen and asses to have extra hay and corn at Christmas, "for reverence of the Son of God, whom on such a night the blessed Virgin Mary did lay down in the stall between the ox and the ass". He thought that "All Creation"* should rejoice at Christmas, and the dumb* creatures had no other means of doing so. Accordingly in Silesia wheat is given to the beasts on Christmas Eve "to make them thrive ".
It was said that “If wheat be kept in one's pocket during Christmas service, and then given to the fowls, they will 150 Christmas Lore grow fat and lay many eggs ". This seems to belong to the large class of magical superstitions, according to which a blessing or a curse is conveyed by means of enchanted food or drink. In Norway there was usually a great brewing beforehand of Yule ale, of which a good portion was given to the cattle. This seemed quite in the spirit of Francis.
Even more so was a custom which lasted in longer in the west of England. On Christmas Day a double ration of provender is given to horses and other cattle "for luck"; and it is said that if this were neglected misfortune would certainly follow. Akin to this is a custom in some parts of Italy and Spain of scattering grain on Christmas Eve as a feast for the birds.
* All Creation in scripture is known as ktisis (Greek reference to entire universe including physical and spirit.)
Before the Reformation (1517), there was in Scotland and the north of England a custom of great but uncertain antiquity called "Yule-firth", i.e."Christmas Truce". Where this prevailed no criminal prosecution could be initiated in the week immediately preceding Christmas; and during the week next following all legal proceedings were temporarily suspended in honor of the feast.
Of the extent to which Yule-firth was observed we have no information; but something may be said in this connection of a strange custom at York, of which the earliest definite mention is found about the time of Henry VIII. On St. Thomas's Day the Sheriff made proclamation at the pillory that, during the Twelve Days of Christmas, all manner of thieves, gamblers, loose women, "and all other unthrifty folk be welcome to the town, whether they come late or early, in reverence of the High Feast of Yule"; on condition, however, that they kept the king's peace and submitted to certain police regulations. How long this custom survived is uncertain; but a writer in the middle of the eighteenth century refers to it as not long discontinued. "
It would be pleasant if we could accept as historic the very beautiful symbolism which a lady has lately read into the strange custom. Adopting the Neo-Druidic idea that the parasitical mistletoe represents man in his dependence on God, she associates the York invitation to all and sundry with the ceremonial placing of mistletoe on the altar in the cathedral; and sees in it an object lesson that only when man lays himself on the altar as ready for sacrifice, can pardon, freedom, and true life be fully enjoyed. But it is more likely, we think, that the authorities at York were of opinion that by giving these "unthrifty folk" temporary security against arrest, they might the better be kept under observation, and their depredations guarded against. Municipal regulation of vice, however, always has tended and always will tend to deterioration of public morals; and we can very well believe that the York proclamation, like the unseemly pranks of the Lord of Misrule, did much to prepare the way towards the austerity of Puritan reaction.
The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population in old Icelandic tradition; they all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing. They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on windowsills, but if the children have been disobedient, they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe.These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times, these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles.
The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century "Poem of Grýla". Grýla had appeared in older tales as a troll, but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children.
Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location. They were used to frighten children into good behavior, similar to the bogeyman. The King of Denmark objected to their use as a disciplinary tool.
In 1746, the use of the Yule Lads myths to overly instill fear in children was officially banned, leading to the myths being made more benign.
In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author Jón Árnason drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads.
In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma) by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the canonical 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities. Not all of them have folkloric roots, however, but those that do, I will include on later posts.
The day each yule lad appears before Christmas, Each yule lad's proper Icelandic name, the interpretation into English:
December 12 – Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod) - torments the sheep
December 13 - Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) - steals milk from the cows
December 14 - Stúfur (Stubby) the shortest of all the lads, steals leftover pie crusts
December 15 - Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) - the thinest of all, licks wooden spoons
December 16 - Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) - steals pots from kitchens to lick them clean
December 17 - Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) - hides beneath beds to find bowls to lick clean
December 18 - Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) - make noise
December 19 - Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) - loves Icelandic yogurt called "Skyr" but also loves gingerbread, cakes, pies and candies
December 20 - Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) - swipes sausages
December 21 - Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) -
December 22 - Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) steals a type of bread called "laufabraud" has a very large nose
December 23 - Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook)
December 24 - Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)
There were originally more Yule lads than the standard 13 listed above and some of them were Yule lasses. Below are just a few examples.
Tallow Socks: She was a large old woman would steal the tallow (fat) and Christmas knitted socks.
Tallow Nostril: Her nose was large enough to store large quantities of tallow and also small naughty children could be stored there as well...
Social letters and notes may be divided into two distinct classes, the formal and informal and among the latter may be included those notes of daily life which are hardly social in their contents yet which require the social manner and conventions.
Letters with wax seals by Cornelis Norbertus Gijsbrechts (1660-1683)
While one may take some liberty with the informal note those of formal type must not be changed from the conventional form and the formal invitation requires a formal response regardless of any unusual circumstances. If further explanations are deemed necessary an informal note may follow the formal response or, if on sufficiently friendly and intimate terms, the telephone may be utilized. The use of the third person at once proclaims formality and the answer must also show the use of the third person throughout. A quite usual mistake is to commence with the third person and later on employ the pronoun "I". The use of "I" immediately signifies an informal type of epistle although it may be an invitation for an affair of several hundred guests where very smart clothes are required. And a formal invitation may be sent out for what appears a most informal affair such as a garden fete, but let the newcomer beware and wisely wear the smartest costume although adapted to hour and place.
Formal invitations are sent out at least three weeks in advance of the date of the affair, often much earlier if a strenuous season and should be accepted or declined within a week if possible, but there should be nothing indefinite in the reply - it must be one or the other If the affair is a large one such as an evening reception or a dance which one is not sure of being able to attend but desires to be present, it is quite correct to accept and if unable to attend excuses may be made later when calling. If a small affair, or where a stated number of guests are expected for a luncheon, dinner or theater party, one regrets definitely since no considerate guest would ask a friend to wait upon her pleasure.
When a married couple are invited to dinner and the husband cannot accept, the wife should decline also since it may be difficult to arrange another dinner partner for her. This is a case where an explanatory note may follow if the hostess is an intimate friend and not only a social acquaintance, but it must be done so deftly that the hostess is not placed in an embarrassing position, so that it is usually wiser to play Polly by the fireside under such conditions.
Unless engraved, all formal notes must be written in long hand even if it is the hand of the social secretary and there is an exact wording and spacing for all formal requirements which should be carefully followed as convention permits the use of only the upper sheet of the note paper. If one writes a large all-covering script it must be regulated to produce a page which has social sanction in form as in contents. To acquire this desirable appearance such a writer will derive much benefit from practicing on inexpensive paper folded the correct size until able easily to accomplish a page conveying formal invitations, acceptances or regrets.
"News from My Lady" by painter, James Campbell.
The selection of the writing paper is most important since formality requires white or ivory for invitations although the delicate tints may be used for the formal responses, and all must be of most excellent quality and not too extreme in style. For social correspondence there are three sizes required, the largest for social letters, a smaller size for all formal occasions, and the smallest which is used for notes of a few lines such as congratulations and condolences. Correspondence cards are used only informally to convey a few words and of course a postal card is impossible except for semi-business use, such as sending an address.
The delicate grays, blues and lavenders with monogram or address are exceedingly smart but only for intimate letters or country house stationery are the gayer and more unique forms possible and even then there remains a doubt if they best express a refined personality.
For bachelors, since wives attend to the social side for their husbands, there are darker shades of gray, blue and slate but the novice wisely clings to the conventional white for formal use. The bachelor girl or business woman often follows the masculine taste in the darker tones and the use of initials or address rather than the more intricate monogram. A delicate or simple monogram in the darker tone of the paper or in silver or gold with a touch of faint color is preferred to the heavier more elaborate designs, and is placed in the center or the left-hand comer and is frequently omitted if the address is engraved. When only the address is preferred it occupies the center or right-hand comer. As country house stationery often requires more than just the name of the country house or the number and street address at the right, the left-hand comer gives further details in smaller type - such as the telephone number, telegraph, post office and railway station if any deviation from the country house address.
In addressing the envelope write all the necessary directions but without superfluous words such as "For" Mrs. __. If there is a special name for the country house by all means use it and should it cause a lengthy, confused appearance it may be placed in the lower left-hand corner. The stamp should be squarely affixed in the upper right-hand corner and some devotees of detail select the green penny stamps if more harmonious with their tinted paper than the gay cherry two cent ones. In addressing a guest "Care"should be written and the name of the host given rather than that of the hostess. If a girl guest is visiting a girl friend at her mother's house the letter is sent in care of the hostess, if there is no masculine head of the house, instead of in care of the young friend; a minor detail but one which has often been criticized. So much social tact is required in addressing invitations and letters correctly that a separate section will be devoted to it at the end of this chapter.
While brevity is the soul of wit, haste is most ungracious so that social grace abhors all abbreviations and business forms which, while signs of efficiency, find no place in the social lexicon. The full name should be written out except in those cases where the initial is always signed for the first name. The numbers of the address on the envelope or in the letter where the address is not given should be written unless too lengthy and the same applies to a numbered street - thus "Twenty-four West Seventy-second" is infinitely smarter than the use of the numerals, but "1784 Madison Avenue" or "198 West 147 Street" would be out of proportion. Avenue and street and state are never abbreviated. One occasionally writes "Town" in English fashion but it is wiser to write the name of the city. The same idea is also applied to the date in a letter as one writes "Thursday, June the twenty-second," omitting the year, which is hardly required in a social letter. Should one desire to use the full date then numerals should be used, as "Thursday, June 22, 1920." The abbreviation "th" while still correct is not used as much as formerly. In social letters the date and address are placed at the lower left-hand end of the letter whereas in business forms it is placed at the upper right-hand corner.
Only business letters use the form of salutation such as "Dear Madam" or "Dear Sir" and should it be necessary to write to a stranger as in a matter of inquiry or reference, the full name and address are written out and then with a space between one commences "My dear Mrs. __"
Ladies writing desk, French 1766
Mrs. Edward Stone,
126 Madison Avenue,
New York City
My dear Mrs. Stone,
"My dear __" is considered more formal than "Dear __" and one may not write "Dear Friend" but should use the name after the salutations, or if on very intimate terms may commence with "Dear" and, a dash.
A social note is written only on the first and last pages, and if not finished continued inside, but it is better to write on consecutive pages if the outer two are not likely to prove sufficient. The commencement is placed about a fourth or even a third of the length of the sheet from the top, much depending on the size of the paper and monogram. Writing too close to the top gives a cramped and economical aspect, while too deep destroys the proportion of the page. The margin at the left hand should be about three-fourths of an inch, with an inch indentation for the commencement of paragraphs, if the square form so rapidly growing in popularity is not used. The lower margin and the one on the right should have about the same spacing. Paragraph the contents as the subject changes, even occasionally making an arbitrary division when launched on a heart burning topic which fills the whole letter. If paragraphs are not indented a space should be allowed between them as an aid to clearness. A word should not be separated at the end of a line, but carried over to the next line.
In closing one rarely uses the conventional forms of "believe me," "With best wishes I am" but following the desire for simplicity writes "With best wishes," and on the line below "Cordially yours" as the connecting phrase is understood. Social etiquette in the Old World retains all of its elegance and no letter closes without some charming message, possibly conventional, yet always a graceful expression of interest. So among friends one may write, "Farewell, dear, until the next time," "You know how welcome any word from you will be," "You can never write too often or too long to__,"
"Do send me good news of your sweet self,""Best regards and cool wishes on this warm summer day."
All adverbs ending in "ly" require the possessive pronoun "yours" to be grammatical and a scribbled note ending "In haste" is neither grammatical nor courteous. One may use some originality in the choice of adverbs to intimate friends, but socially one uses "sincerely," "cordially," "faithfully‚" with the adjectives "very" and "most" to run the social scale. One may place the "yours" before or after adverbs and adjectives. Frankly speaking "sincerely" has been the most often selected of any of the adverbs during the past f season, "truly," "respectfully," "gratefully" belong to the business world with rare exceptions.
The full name should be written out unless too long, such as Margaret Goldsmith Hammersley, when it is advisable to omit the middle name rather than use an initial. Many women on marrying cease to use their middle name but retain their family name, so that Olivia Grace Grey marrying Edward Stone Martin signs herself Olivia Grey Martin and when writing to a stranger writes below her signature, Mrs. Edward Stone Martin. A divorcee usually drops her husband's first name and if retaining his surname signs herself as Olivia Grey Martin as before but adds beneath Mrs. Grey Martin. A woman whose husband is a junior uses that abbreviation after her own name if her mother-in-law is living in the same town. If, however, the mother-in-law is a widow she is supposed to add "Sr." after her name. Where the older woman is not willing to do this the daughter-in-law has retained the "Jr." although her husband has omitted it after his name. When unmarried (Miss) is placed in parenthesis before a woman's signature. A man signs himself in a social note as John Walden Smith avoiding the use of initials. In some cases he may use the above as a business signature and signs himself in social correspondence as Walden Smith.
Now that we are on such approachable terms with royalty, government officials and other distinguished individuals a brief reference guide is required since we often wish to address them in regard to reforms and various welfare projects.
All executives of state in our country are addressed formally as Sir or Dear Sir, except the president who is addressed only as Sir. Socially they are addressed as My dear Mr. President and My dear Mr. __.
Writing with a quill pen 1909
The envelopes and letter openings are as follows:
President __ __ The Vice-President __ __ Honorable __ __ Secretary of the Interior (Cabinet Member) The Honorable__ __ Ambassador to Romania (Ambassadors to foreign countries) Senator or Honorable __ __ (Senators) Honorable __ __ (Members of Congress) Mr. Justice __ __ (Justice, not necessarily Supreme Cout) or The Honorable __ __ Justice of the Supreme Court (Justice of Supreme Court) Governor __ __ (Governor of State) His Honor the Mayor of New York, __ __
Officials may also be addressed with social informality as "My dear Senator, My dear Mr. Justice, Dear Governor," but the addressing of every man as "Mr.," the title of a gentleman, is rapidly gaining favor and one is never at fault if the correct title is given on the envelope. In closing formal and official communications one writes "I have the honor to be your most obedient servant," but socially one uses "I have the honor to remain most respectfully (or sincerely) yours."
An invitation from the President is equal to a command and may not be declined so that all earlier engagements must be cancelled, and only illness or deep trouble may excuse one. The explanation should be given frankly and not as a mere formality.
All officers of the Army and Navy are addressed by their full titles above the rank of lieutenant and may not be abbreviated.
A lieutenant is addressed as "Mr. __ Lieutenant 10th Regiment, United States Infantry." Formally the officers are addressed as "Sir" but socially as "Dear Admiral __."
The Church requires more formality and ceremony and only the simplest forms are given here, as follows: the address - the salutation - the closing.
Roman Catholic Form
His Eminence, Cardinal __
Your Eminence:
I have the honor to remain your bumble servant,
The Most Reverend __ , Archbishop of __
Most Reverend and dear Sir:
I have the honor to remain your bumble servant,
The Right Reverend, Bishop of __:
Right Reverend and dear Sir:
I have the honor to remain your bumble servant.
The Reverend __:
Reverend and dear Sir:
I beg to remain yours sincerely, (for priest)
Anglican Church Form
The Most Reverend __, His Grace the Arch-bishop of __:
My Lord Bishop, May it please your Grace
I remain, my Lord Archbishop, your Grace's most obedient servant,
To the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of ___
My Lord:
I have the honor to remain your Lordship's obedient servant,
Protestant Form
Right Reverend __, Bishop of __;
Right Reverend and dear Sir:
I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,
The Reverend __, or Reverend Doctor___:
Reverend and dear Sir or Dear Sir:
I beg to remain yours sincerely, (for minister)
Professional Forms
Physician: __, M.D. or Dr. __
Dear Sir: (informally) Dear Dr. __ or Dear Doctor:
Yours sincerely, or Yours truly,
Professor: Professor __, (followed by correct initials)
Dear Professor __ or Dear Dr. __.
by R. Gabrielle
Letters and Postcards, Not just a hobby by Not Just a Hobby.
This paper mache box was modeled after a Shaker band box I think. I painted it with a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch pattern.
Left, side view. Right, a view of the design on the top of the box.
To make a painted box like this one you will need the following supplies: prefabricated circular paper box, red, black, yellow, and white acrylic paints, a tiny soft paint brush and acrylic sealer.
Simple illustration of a planter with tulips.
Paint the entire outside of the box, including the lid, with red paint. Let it dry. Then use the illustration above to lightly sketch the pattern on top of the lid. Paint the sketch black and let the design dry. Then add the painted yellow highlights and let these dry completely. Lastly, paint the white highlighted areas. This particular box had a delicate raised pattern already embossed on the sides. I simply painted the swirly floral pattern with the same colors used on the lid. After the entire box was painted I then lightly dry brushed a bit of grey around the lid's edges to suggest an "aged" appearance for the box. Don't forget to spray your final piece with an acrylic sealer.
The first time I ever saw these walnut strawberries was in a magazine article about Victorian Christmas ornaments. Then, years later I found them again in a craft book about Mexican ornament making. So, I have no idea who thought of them first.
Supply List:
cleaned walnuts (preferably from the store)
red acrylic or red poster paint
two colors of green scrap felt for the leafs
green cap
string to match the felt
a black permanent ink, felt tip pen
a soft camel hair paint brush
a shallow dish of water or a clean jar of water for cleaning the brush
tacky white glue
scissors
a large embroidery needle
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Paint the entire surface of the walnut a pleasing red and set the nut aside to dry.
After the walnut is completely dry, draw dots or short slashes with the permanent ink marker to mimic strawberry seeds.
Download and print out our template for strawberry leaves.
Size these in a Word document before printing.
Place the pattern on top of the darker green felt scrap and cut out the bottom leaf, following the black outlined pattern.
Place the pattern again on top of the lighter green felt scarp and cut out the top leaf, following the white outlined pattern.
String both felt leaves together and tie also a large hoop for hanging.
Now glue the entire felt top to the top of the walnut using a tacky white glue.
Apply a little pressure to the top while the glue is drying.
The walnut "strawberry" may be painted a bit more elaborately by mixing a bit of white or orange to the the red paint as you apply it towards the top of the nut.
Pillows made from woolen mats are easy and quick crafts that just about anybody can produce.
Here are my three ideas for warm and cozy throw pillows to add a bit of style and flavor to your home decor during the holidays.
A woven mat, from south of the boarder, (right) sewn into a simple pillow, adds plenty of character to my old mission furniture.
To make this pillow you will need: one woven mat, embroidery floss, cotton stuffing, a woolen piece of fabric for the backing of the pillow and scissors.
Cut the woolen fabric to the exact same size of the woven mat. Pin the two fabric pieces together. Blanket stitch around three sides. Stuff the pillow with cotton filler and then sew the remaining side shut with the same blanket stitch.
Ever wonder what you could possible do with old 80s sweaters? Yes, I understand that some things should never be resurrected but, this one (below, left) had never even been worn. Hard to believe, isn't it?
Once you have dug inside of your vintage stash, collect embroidery floss, needles, and stuffing for the inside of a pillow. Or use an old cushion and cover it with the sweater without going to the trouble of making a new pillow for this recycled version, I won't tell anyone!
My hand knit sweater looks much better as a pillow!
Cut the sweater approximately 1/8 inch larger than the measurement of your pillow. You will need two identical sides and these may be sewn together to either hide the seam or not, depending on the look that is most appropriate for the sweater's surface. The pictured knit pillow was sewn with the right sides facing out. I sewed the seams twice with a heavy blanket stitch. I find this necessary when working with something that was formerly knit. Attempt to catch every loop of the knitting with the embroidery floss, otherwise your pillow will unravel. Stuff the pillow with the pillow form, not loose cotton batting. Loose batting will eventually get pulled out from in between the knitting!
A heavily textured knit looks best when sewn together with a similar seam. For a finer seam, it would be best to stitch the knitted pieces on a sewing machine in order to prevent unraveling.
I appliquéd the heart and star wool pillows from old woolen trousers. I hate to toss expensive wool out when I can recycle it in a quilt, table runner etc... Wool is very durable and keeps it's shape longer than any other fabric. For this reason, I prefer to use it in decorative pillows that I know my family will be using roughly for many years.
Applique woolen pillows that I created for my family room.
To make your own versions you will need: wool scraps, if you purchase these, I would suggest no less than 14 inches of five different patterns/solids, embroidery floss in a variety of contrasting colors, scissors, the templates below, printed and cut out, embroidery needles and soft cotton filler of your own choosing.
Cut out the templates as directed. Cut out six hearts for the pillow depicted at the front of the photograph. The hearts are hand-sewn with a blanket stitch on top of 6 inch by 5 1/2 inch rectangles. There are three rectangles across and two rectangles from top to bottom. Reserve approximately 16 1/2 inches by 13 inches of one woolen swatch for the back of this pillow. Stitch these pieces together and stuff. For the folk star pillow, cut four stars, four lager penny circles and four small penny circles. Applique these pieces together as they appear in the photo. You will need four, 8 inch by 8 inch squares for each star pattern and four additional squares for the back side of the pillow.
Wooley Ornament Crafts for The Christmas Tree Too:
Penny rugs for little folks to make here and here.
Click to download the largest available pattern. Would you like to try sewing some for yourself? Here are my free templates for the pillows pictured. This template may be downloaded and sized in a word document to fit the above measurements.
