Foreword 2

Many friends have encouraged and inspired me to write this little book. I am in debt to them all, and to the many patient audiences which have listened to lectures on the subject.

Actually, I have practiced on these kind people, for the suggestions made in this book have been accumulating for many years and it is still possible to find new ways and means of making your own Merry Christmas. By talking and demonstrating before so many critical audiences, moreover, I believe I have worked out prac­tical methods of making these decorations, within the ability of anybody willing to spend a little time and effort in mastering them.

Another debt of repentant acknowledgment is due my family whose interest and tolerance have been remarkable, considering how often and completely I have cluttered the house with my hobby.

My deep gratitude goes also to Helen Van Pelt Wilson, who overcame my natural reluctance for writing and persuaded me to put the substance of my lectures within covers. Also to Dr. J. Horace McFarland, for his kind introduction. And to The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for the use of its offices and library.

To name all the helpful individuals would be impossible, but I offer special thanks to Henry S. Ross and Don Rose for editorial advice and assistance; to Harry Wood for his help with plant materials used in many demon­strations; to my family and friends who kindly gave me favorite recipes and finally and particularly to Léonie Hagerty for the clever drawings which largely take the place of my own fingers in this book. It would be difficult to explain some of the procedures with words alone. Miss Hagerty's diagrams and sketches confirm a paraphrased Chinese proverb, "One look-see is worth a million tells."

Foreward1

Chapter one- Looking Forward to Christmas