Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-12-18
BUYING THE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

The dear delightful Christmas season is again
upon US. Its geniality and heartiness begins to
be eensbly felt, despite the hard times. Christi
mas oyercomes the breads and forebodings
which will scarcely yield to lesser spell, and
thus It's return this year is more than usually
welcome. 1t brings sunshine and cheer
which we have felt the need of for many month,
and it shows that things are not nearly as bad as
someof us have persisted in believing them to be.
1t is matter of general remark that the holiday |
trade shows very little, II any. falling on from
that OF previous years. and the effect Of this can
not but be beneficial in many lines of business,
making It's good results felt through society gen-
orally. The more money put in circulation at
this time the better. 1t is astonishing what a
difference in living an active, moving trade
makes. 1t oils the machine and puts all the
parts In smooth running order. This, apart
from its emotional aspect, ia what Christmas is
doing for us.
The pleasing. yet tsntalizing, discussions and
self communings ON the selection or holiday
gifts are now quite in order-almost to the ex-
clusion of .'baser matter" The tender deceits
and riyalries Of the soason--who has not been
perplexed by them, and enjoyed them So ma
ny different tastes to be suited, 80 many wants
to be slyly OWNED so as to create no suspicion,
and--so little possibility OF doing all we would
Like to do There are people who have their
Christmas nearly spoiled by the latter doleful
reelection. But it should not by rights, cast us
down. To give according to our means-thAt is
the only Just or reasonable rule. To go in debt,
or TO exceed the limit OF expenditure which every
sensible person knows fitted to his circumstan-
COS, in the giving OF Christmas gifts, is to dis
honor the observance and would surely occasion
the receiver pain or modification could he know
the facts simple offering made with loving
heart is better everyday than handsome pres-
ent which we cannot afford to make.
The variety OF articles from which gifts may
be chosen is almost endless, and no one need be
long at loss, in view of the fine stock of goods
which our merchants have provided, in choos-
ing suitable presents for their friends OF what
ever age or condition. There is growing dis
position to make the Christmas gift not only !
reminder Of affection, but also something which
shall serve useful purpose. Furniture, cloth
ing, books, pictures, are in our view more appro
pirate than pretty nick-nacks which soon los
their novelty and are of no use in the "helping
along" process. Even in children's gifts it
possible to choose articles which will do some
thing more than excite momentary fancy. Be-
tastes are as endless as the catalogues Of goods
let each, therefore, follow out his own, or he
own, instinct, but let all give as far as they ar
able, and they will be happier for it themselyS
and will make others happy. And let us nj
forget, either, to do our christmas shopping
home. Our Wilmington merchants can amp
supply all that is needed in the christmas lin
either useful or ornamental Here is where Il
money should be spent The citizen should fe
the festival to be an imperfect success who hi
not thrown his custom into the home till, thu
doing his part in tightening the general load