The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-24
THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

Preparations for the Coming Week-The
Toy Traae-Aetivity or Business-Ap-
poarence OF the City-Skating At the
Central Park, &c., &c.
The approach Of the holidays hailed with delight by
all classes alike. This s the Of family reunions
andfamily rejocngs. The husband and son. whose bust
ness has called them distant parts hasten home at this
time to join their families ore and complete the
happy circle gathered around the time honorcd hearth
stone the associations of which separation however
long, dspel from their memory. These family re-
unions Christmas time becoming and more
institution It is true there family reunions at Thanks
giving but they local. and confined rather to the New
England States while at this such gatherings take
place over nearly the whole OF Christendom.
We have received several communications asking the
question whether the stores and banks will be closed
Monday, Christmas falling this year on Sunday. Our
local Post Oce authorities have issued orders close
the Post Office Monday, I'd Of january; but We
derstand that will be opened on Christmas, thus carry
ing the idea that Christmas appropriately be OBJ
served the Sabbath, and New Years day rice
The question whether the Christmas festival should be
observed on Monday or not we notice by foreign
ondons papers, brought before the Lord Mayor Of
London by deputation from the Early Closing Associ
ton TO Monday, the 26th inst, TO be observed as
holiday.
we DeeVc no measures nave Dcen taRen IN tQS CITY
the natter but presume that Monday will be general
ly observed holiday This, however, will be mat
Of hberay the part of those employers who feel
disposed to allow their employees day Of recreation
New York at this season is dressed in her gayest ho
day attire Her streets full Of hfe and the shop win
dows TEEN with extra attractions in the way of goods OF
every description for the holidays The passer by greet
ed at every turn with the display Of magncence which
the city TO reveln All, however, is but good
sign Of financial prosperity; and if the people will be
little extrayagant or, to less harsh term generous
in their ouays at this time must remember that
cordng to the saying, is all for the good Of raden
The most prominent feature Of the holiday season s Of
course the immense trade which is carried toys and
fancy articles of like kind "Straws" says the old
proverb show which way the wind blows" and trifes
light air often indicative Of great things. Toys
trivial they in their nature in this country and
at this tme sure index Of the condition Of the people
in financial point Of view The toy is not necessary
article Of rade is pur chased only when surplus Of
funds remains after the necessary articles Of life
cured Consequently when active, brisk business is
done in the toy line, is fair indication Of financial
prosperity and such brisk driving business the
present has been and promises TO continue.
The toy trade has become Of late years regular staple
trade in this country The sales Of the wholesale dealers
ana lODDeIS COmmouCt bS early dS Au8uSt Wuon tnoy
begin to supply country dealers The wholesale business
is heaviest during November and the early part Of De-
cember The city dealers then make their purchases
and the retail city trade begins Toys are imported
goods, coming from Germany and France This city is
the toy emporium in this country, although considerable
quantities are brought Boston, Philadelphia and other
of the large cities During the present Of the
principal houses Of this city has disposed Of about
hundred thousand dollars worth Of toys and the whole
extent Of trade during the year is estimated at nearly
one and ahslf million Of dollars. Now when il is
sdered that the price OF toy varies from cent or two
10 few dollars idea may be had Of the great quar
tty annually imported and disposed o. The year 1855
was one Of the NEST stirring in the toy trade fine panic
Of 1857 intervened with an almost blghtng eec. aLd
the trade has hardly recovered yet The dealers say,
however, nat the trade Of 1859 healthy and
the risks on sales have been less than any year here
tofore.
The cheap varieties Of toys come from Germany, which
country characteristic for csespness in this well
other kinds OF products The richer classes of toys come
from France few years ago Tie toys sold in ths city
came almost entirely from Germany those Of tie French
being 80 high priced as TO command but small sale in
our market Iattery, however, competition in France
and progress taste II ths country have caused &C.
mand for the better and more finished French goods.
Inc CITY yeSteruhy Hreseuteu eVsueIl eGnB on Lne
proach of a"good time.n Good nstured nammas and
papas paronized the toy stores extensively search Of
the wherew!th to Ell "Johnny'so or "Chare's stook-
ing next Saturday night. A. every corner, n the
omntusses the and in the boats, these good
tred parents 70 be met with, carrying home tier
load of jumping JACKS, .he boxes, monkey jacks
and all sorts OF "jscks, soldiers drums, whistles and
other articles like the contents Of peddlers pack "too
numerous TO men:on.n The principal thoroughfares are
placardei With signs Of Holiday Gifts presents for
the holidays &c During the course Of peregrra-
tons through Grand stree. placard inscribed as
follows
HOLIDAY PRESENTS.
short dsquisi;or The usefulness Of such presents
followed the rscr IT On Now il struck I've know rot
bow the reader VIII regard ~ ihai shond receive
prr q pcc,s tor rgesen, woald nchnei 70 ne