Historical December 1979 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
On 3 Saturdays in December, children and teenagers are invited to make simple gifts and crafts for Christmas at the Des Peres Branch Library. On December 8th at 10 a.m. those in 7th grade and up are welcome. Sessions on December 15th and 22nd at 10 a.m. are for younger children. Please register in advance.
Adults may want to hurry and check out something to ease the suffering created by holiday crowds and the evershrinking checkbook. There is still enough time left to stitch, cook, build, or concoct attractive, delicious, useful, or one-of-a-kind gifts for at least a few of the people and pets on your list.
How about velveteen juggling balls and instructions for their use? This and other intriguing ideas can be found in Rags: Making a Little Something Out of Nothing. Family Fun is filled with simple gifts that children as well as adults can make quickly: rag dolls, candle holders. easy puppets, and unusual window shades to name a few. Gifts from Your Kitchen, Successful Terrariums, and Making Dollhouse Accessories are self-explanatory. Springboards and rope swings are a couple of the items out of Handcrafted Playgrounds that can be built quickly. Make it Yourself offers instructions for candles, soap, and “tropical toothpaste” for humans and “liver cookies” for your dog.
Your children will love their wild animal slippers and their 4 foot tall dancing partner Louie Looselimbs, from How to Make Soft Toys and Dolls . Finally, how about surprising someone by fixing something that you’ve been promising to attend to all year? Reader’s Digest Fix it Yourself and Do it Yourself Manual will give you both expertise and [word unclear in source].
Many thanks to Central West 1 ! Sayings and Loan for stuffing our stocking with a donation copy of Urban Oasis, 75 Years in Parkview, A Saint Louis. Private Place. Our small book budget is very grateful.
January events at Des Peres Branch include two exciting free programs for adults on home decorating. “Window Treatments” will be offered on Tuesday, January 15th, from 10-12 and “Decorating Children’s Rooms” on Tuesday, January 22nd, from 10-12. Sign up in advance if you are interested.
Happy holidays to all!
Original photograph caption
Original gift illustration beside the Des Peres Branch Library column. The Paper, December 1979, page 11. Artist not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, December 1979.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Damaged final word after “expertise and” requires editorial confirmation; original source scan linked.
Original source: SD_Times1979_12.pdf, printed page(s) 11; PDF page(s) 11.
