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Show I f un) For Your Family stuck together into balls and figures, have endless possibilities. Pine cones, milkweed pods, and small leaves or branches can be gilded, enameled or shellacked and hung on the tree or fashioned into wreaths and garlands. And while you're thinking of Christmas, remember that no tree is complete without the old-fashioned candy cane. But give it a touch of added glamour this year with a perky crimson bow. Released by Western Newspaper Union. By MISS ABBIE CONDIT National Recreation Association. Now's the time to start wondering wonder-ing about your Christmas tree ornaments. orna-ments. Are you tired of the old trimmings, but can't afford new ones? Did you break some glass balls last year that can't be replaced? re-placed? Then sit down with the family fam-ily one of these crisp fall nights and make new trinkets. It's just as easy as that! Have a berry gathering party in the nearby fields and put in a supply sup-ply for your Christmas-craft sessions. ses-sions. Many different kinds of berries ber-ries can be used mountain ash, hawthorn, thorn apples, bittersweet, bayberry, high bush cranberry, barberry. bar-berry. Shellac the berries and before be-fore they are dry, thread them on a wire or string. They can be worked into many different ornaments bells, stars, dolls, crosses, or garlands. gar-lands. Popcorn strung on heavy thread and then braided makes a festive garland for a window or doorway as well as for the tree, especially if you have dipped the popcorn into bright red and green enamel. Multicolored Multi-colored popcorn kernels strung on wire will make intriguing little figurines fig-urines and shapes for that bare spot in the upper branches. To make popcorn balls, an old standby for Christmas decorations, simmer together Vi cup of corn syrup, syr-up, V2 cup of molasses, Vz tablespoon table-spoon of vinegar until it is thick enough to form a hard ball in cold water. Add to this a heaping spoon of butter and pour the mixture over the salted popcorn. When cool enough to handle, attach ribbon loops and mold into balls. Bright cellophane cello-phane wrappings will add a bit of color to the balls. Paper chains are simple to make by cutting tiny strips of colored paper pa-per about six or eight inches long and looping them into ovals. They are strung through one another before be-fore pasting the ends together. Nuts and nut shells make clever ornaments orna-ments if they are dipped into enamel or gilt Attach loops of thread to the nuts with plastic glue and hang on the nearest branch. A box of fine soap flakes poured into a large bowl and mixed with a cup of water makes artificial snow that will last several days. Beat the mixture with an egg beater and pile the snow on top of the branches with your hands. Tiny mirror decorations will add sparkle to your tree. Dig around in old drawers and purses for small mirrors, preferably those which reflect re-flect from both sides. If you must use the mirror from your best purse, it can be cleaned and returned when the tree comes down. Cut bright silhouettes and scenes from Christmas cards and attach to the mirrors with cement or glue. A frill of old lace or paper doilies around the edge of the mirror gives the effect of an old greeting card. Attach a loop of string to the top of the mirror so it can be hung on the tree and make sure you hang the ornaments near colored light bulbs, where they will reflect the light. Many products of woods and fields can be used on your tree. Burdocks, |