EXHIBIT 10(ff) 


  
                             FIRST AMENDMENT TO
               STANHOME SUPPLEMENTAL INVESTMENT SAVINGS PLAN
  
           WHEREAS, Stanhome Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the
 "Company"), has heretofore adopted and maintains a supplemental defined
 contribution plan for the benefit of certain of its employees designated
 the "Stanhome Supplemental Investment Savings Plan" (the "Plan"); and 

           WHEREAS, the Company has amended and restated the Plan effective
 January 1, 1997; and 

           WHEREAS, the Company desires to further amend the Plan in certain
 respects; 

           NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the power of amendment contained in
 Section 8 of the Plan, the Plan is amended effective August 1, 1997 in the
 following respects: 

           1.   Section 1(b) of the Plan is amended to add a new paragraph
 at the end thereof to read as follows: 

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change in
      Control (as defined in Appendix A hereto), participation in this Plan
      shall be limited to those Employees who were Participants in this
      Plan as of the date of such Change in Control.
  
           2.   Section 10 the Plan is amended to add a new paragraph at the
 end thereof to read as follows: 
  
                Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary,
      following the date on which a Change in Control (as defined in
      Appendix A hereto) occurs, the "Committee" for purposes of this
      Section shall be comprised of the individuals who are members of the
      Committee immediately prior to such Change in Control. After such
      date, an individual need not be an Employee in order to be a member
      of the Committee, and any vacancies on the Committee that may arise
      shall be filled by the remaining members of the Committee.
  
    
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be
 executed by its duly authorized officers this 24 day of December, 1997. 
  
                                    STANHOME INC. 
                                     
                                    By: /s/ H. L. Tower                      
                                       ----------------------------------
               
                                    Title: President and CEO                 
                                           ------------------------------
  

 ATTEST: 
  


 /s/ Mark I. Cohen                             
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 Title: Assistant Secretary                
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