December 1933

Across the Editor's Desk

IN THIS closing month of the year I wish to say "thank you" for the wonderfully fine spirit you have all shown in helping us toward realization of our ideals. As I have often said before, this is your magazine, and in reality, thru your suggestions and expressions, you are making it what it is.

$100 for Best Letters

and All Thru the House

CHRISTMAS may stand for one thing to you and for another to me, but to all childhood it has a single meaning-- day of days, time of presents and feasting, axis on which all the rest of the year revolves.

Fireplaces---Friendly, Cheerful Companions

AN EASY chair, a pipe, a pair of slippers, and a fireplace-- these are generally accepted accessories for male comfort and happiness. Even more so today, with the pace of living quickened, are men prone to seek the milder, less strenuous pleasures, and to enjoy the inimitable ecstasy of complete relaxation.

Let's Make It a Home Christmas

For Young Homemakers and Gardeners

"LET'S pretend"-- two magic words of childhood. And to all good Santa Clauses everywhere, let them be a warning. "Let's play," says a blue-eyed toddler, "that you are Daddy and I'm Mummy, and we'll keep house."

The Earth Does Queer Things

FROM a mass of stuff like lava, after perhaps millions and millions of years, the Earth seems to have been able to produce nuggets of pure gold. From pre-historic peat bogs it has produced coal, and from countless millions of minute shellfish, oil and gas.

Grow Your Own Christmas Holly

ANYONE can grow holly, for it thrives far better under protection than in the wild, and can be successfully transplanted to your own grounds. It can also be grown from cuttings and, if you have patience, from the berries off your Christmas wreath.

The Holy Trees of Christmas

CHRISTMASTIME will soon be here again, and once more we must remember to invite the spirit of the woods into our homes. Since ancient days people all over the world have enjoyed the cheerful greens of the pines, the firs, and the Spruces.

The Diary of a Plain Dirt Gardener

Dec 1 So warm it's almost like summer this afternoon, so the boys and I tackled once more our unfinished job of painting the garage. There was I, on the long ladder. Donald was on the stepladder. David was on the ground. All three were slapping and sloshing on the paint for a fare-you-well.

New Books You'll Want

ISN'T it true that the book which comes to you from a friend with the recommendation, "Have you read this? You must, for I know you'll love it," is the one above all others that you resolve to read next. That personal word from one who knows you and who knows the book is worth columns of formal book reviews.

Call Out the Reserves!

GUESTS and more guests! Laughing hearty guests who never heard of a diet, or if they did, have abandoned it for the Holiday Season. Happy time and happy times!

It's News to Me!

►Just awfully good, and so easy to prepare-- an emergency-shelf steamed date pudding now comes canned, serves five persons generously. Heat the can in boiling water, open it easily, and slip out a delicious round of spice-fragrant pudding. Serve with an uncooked sauce, recipe on package. M-m-m!

"What's It All About?"

Cellophane Isn't an Accident

CELLOPHANE (derived from the Greek work "cellulose," meaning transparent) is a sound chemical discovery, and not, as so many stories about its origin have said, a lucky accident.

Quickly Made Gifts

Perfect Stitches

IF YOUR sewing machine takes a streak when it seems possessed, give it a firm look, get out your little box of tools, and remedy the defect if it is a minor one. There are several common ways in which a machine can cause difficulty, such as breaking thread and missing stitches.

For Mothers and Mothers-to-Be

ARE YOU expecting a new baby in your family? If so, you'll want the sympathetic and practical information contained in the Better Homes & Gardens Baby Health Service. In fact, you'll want us to send you the pre-natal part of this service at once. Then, after your baby arrives, for two years we'll mail you detailed letters of expert advice about his care.

ALONG THE GARDEN PATH

In 1609. Here is the tale of a Merry Christmas carol: It is said that a knight invited all his tenants and families to a glorious Christmas feast.