Smyrna times., 1882-12-13

u CHIEFLY ABOUT CHRISTMAS AND TIL
SELECTION OF PRETTY THINGS
1 FOR PRESENTS.
Now for the season of selectin,
Christmas gifts. The next thing is +
hnd out what friends and relations arr
expecting for Christmas presents an,
then go and make choice ofsucb thino
as Will most nearly please their real O
supposed wishes. This is not alwav
al easy task, especially among thos,
who have large circle of friends +,
remember. Some people engage in i
so laboriously as to take away all if,
pleasure. Others make a business O
enjoying it, putting up with its incon.
Venlences and making of each dav':
search a day of entertainment. Tc
those who are fond of seeing beautiful
things and Of being among them, the
weeks before Christmas are a season N
especial delight. At this time the
stores In every department of attrac.
tlon put on their most enticing array.
decking windows and shelves, and
showcases with bewildering variety of
the useful and the ornamental.
For the last five or six wears the in
crease in the Christmas attractions has
oeen so great that many people have
each year thought the display of that
year was at great as it was possible TO
make. And yet the next Christmas
season showed larger display and
richer attractions. This was not only
an evidence of pecuniary prosperity,
out 1t showed that refined taste was ON
the increase. While the useful is not
neglected, the artistic and the beauti-
iul are every year receiving more and
more consideration. The embellisb-
ment of the homes of the people is
gong on at a gratifying rate, and the
people are the better for it. This EN-.
neiilShment is worth all it costs. The
beauty OF it is that it may be graded to
meet the ability of everybody. So
many forms does the decorative assume
that whether purchaser wants taste.
tul little adornment for wall or mantel
or pair of costly Dresden or Royal
Worcester porcelain vases there is no
dliilcuity in procuring the very object
that IS desired. The ingenuity of the
Vienna Artisans has done much IN
tighten the labor and increase the |
delight OF the seeker after Christmas
goods. These workers in fancy goods |
are always getting up some new ideas
ana this year they have been particu-
iarly happy. In such trifes as carved
wood ink-stands, paper weights, trays, |
pen racks, hat racks and smoking sets
the variety is immense, and the novelty
striking. In plaques painted by hand
on porcelain, there is very little repro
ductlon OF old ideas, but creditable
reaching out in the direction of the
novel and original. There are MANY
curious ideas in decorated dinner and
dessert dishes, there being many sets in
winch, though general uniformity of
styles prevails, there are no two pieces
alike. So in fancy cut glass ware for
the table and for decorative purposes.
There are all manner of pretty and
curious things in jewelry, from the
humblest little fancy in plain gold 10
The most costly and elaborate orna-
ments in tastefully mounted diamonds.
A watch makes an acceptable present
either to lady or gentleman. Fans
IRE highly esteemed by the ladies.
Inc new tancies in feather, pearl and
hand painted satin comprise many very
ideas. OF course every
body must have Christmas card. In
his comparatively new creation. the
ievlces which are new this year are +
ar more meritorious than last wears
novelties.
In walk along Chestnut street at !,
my hour of the day one meets thous- u
'nds OF shoppers and an army of peo- :
lie who, though not buying to-day are y
aking observations with view of buy :
ng. Of course among all the beauti- y :,
ul things along the street it would be v
pity to neglect a visit to Bailey. 7
BANKS & Biddles. Here may be seen q q
he display of the richest art objects. - :,
nd here, those who are in quest of :. y
for Christmas may crafty s
heir choicest desires. II