HOME-MADE TOYS

To make a Santa Claus, take five large pine cones, two for the arms, two for the legs and one for the body ; glue them together and wind them round with wire ; cut the boots out of wood ; set them on a block, sharpen the upper ends, and insert them in holes bored in the legs; glue the head and hands of an ordinary jointed doll on the body and arms ; make the beard and hair of flax, and fit a fur cap on the ■ head ; put a girdle of dried moss around the waist to conceal the wire, and a knit tippet on the neck , fasten a pasteboard basket, filled with candies and tiny toys, on the back ; throw a netted bag, with nuts and lady-apples, over one shoulder, and put a miniature Christmas tree in one hand and a nut-cracker and switch in the other.

To make an old lady : Take some white sheet wadding, roll up a piece to make the body, also two smaller rolls for arms, these attach to the body : then take another piece and sew it up for a skirt ; work around the bottom in button-hole stitch with zephyr, and gather the top and fasten to the body. Make another skirt for the dress, then cut out a circular piece for a cloak, work this around same as the dress ; also, make a hood with a cape, worked like the rest ; make a small muff, and put the hands in it. Two beads will serve for eyes and a thread for the mouth. These look very pretty on Christmas trees, are inexpensive, and will please the little folks.

A fig Indian will also amuse them. Take a large, perfect fig, flatten it, pinch out a nose ; white beads for teeth, with a long switch of red worsted for lips ; black bead eyes, run a double wire lengthwise through the head ; put on another fig for waist ; bind wire around the body for arms ; string on raisins ; another fig for body ; the rest string with rais- ins for legs ; turn the wire for feet ; bend the ends to fasten. Dress in pants with small feathers down the sides, a mantle of some bright color for blanket — belt around the waist. Tall feathers stuck in top of head ; small downy ones on the sides and back ; bow in one hand, arrow in the other.

Red-Riding Hood is made by taking a small bottle with a cork ; on that fit a small doll head. Dress in red skirt and large cape and hood ; pink with scissors all around. Fill the bottle with perfumery.

Rabbits, too, are very pretty made of gray velveteen and white plush. Stuffed with wool, and with pink or black beads used for eyes.

30 CHILDREN.

Dancing men may be made of cork dressed up, and with black silk strings to make them dance. Men and animals cut out of cardboard, painted, and joined together with strong twine, afford great amusement, and are just as good as can be purchased.