Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-18
WHAT TO GIVE WHOM
THE WeleHTY PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED DURING The HOLIDAYS.
No Falling on In Christmas Customs-Key
to the Present Departments-For
Children, Men, and Girls.

Correspondence OF the Richmond DIspatch.l
NEW YoRK. December 1.-THE holiday
season il upon us. and nobody takes any
interest in anything else Just now but the
absorbing subject of presents. The per-
plexities that have arisen regularly every
year since the first Christmas one had
pocket-money OF ones own to expend crop
mp again this time and refuse utterly TO be
solved, although one has had the whole Of
twelve months in which to think them
over, had one given ones mind 10 the
welghty problem. What to give whom
That is the question. II IL generally an
swered after week OF vexatlOus shopping
IN hollday-crow stores by a sudden.
mad determination 10 buy the first thing
one lays ewes on. rhe deed Is thus accom-
plished, and il the recipient (who IN the
course OF the week referred 10 has taken
on the mental aspect OF an implacable,
personal enemy doesn't like 1t, he or she
can do the other thing.
AN AVERAGE BUSINESS.
There is the usual amount of talk about
Christmas customs falling of. the nom
observance OF Christmas, the paramount
duiness of the present holiday season, and
how drea1iully poor every one seems TO
be Meanwhile the stores appear TO DO
the average amount of holiday trade, ana
if the Christmas Of '92 10 not the most pros
porous in the memory Of tho Oldest inhabl-
tant 1t has at least not dropped wholly out
of mind. III any thele be- who doubts that
holiday shoppers are abroad. let him try
TO make his way from Broadway TO sixth
avenue along Twenty thtrd street some at
ternoon this week and consult his watch
as TO the time 1t took him to make the dis
tancc.
WHAT DO THE SHOPPERS BUY?
Here is a KEY to the holiday departments
in the order of their importance Brtc-Q-
brdc, china and glassware, art embroid-
cry, furniture, jewelry. pictures and en-
cravings, mems furnishings, books, and OF
course toys, which are placed last, but
perhaps ought 10 come in first, as the chill
dren certainly take precedence at Christmas
time. In br,c-1-brdc it has come 70 be re-
cOgnized that one ought TO be able to ind
n gift for every one of ones acquaintance.
friends. and relatives. In lamps many
pretty novelties appear. The latest de-
signs IN banquet lamps illustrates fire
gilt figure of Cupid, running bow IN one
hand, torch in the other, which IS out
stretched above the head. 4 tinted UNI
brella shade surmOunt5 1t and casts mel
low light down upon the god with the et-
feet of calcium glare thrown on a
dancer.
UNIQUE DESIGNS.
ONYX and brass in combination produce
a number Of unique designs, one Of which
uultes a tall pianO-lamp. table and tray
for holding music. BisQue mantel orna-
mcnts are IN more delicate mOdellngs than
ever. One of the most beautiful j have
noticed represents Venus victorious, at-
tended by flying Cuplds, VINO enclr-
Gle shallow vase for holding flowers.
Mantel ornaments in brass. bronze.
olo silver, Hungarian, Bonn, and SeyreS
china are legion. Clocks are usually ac-
ceptablo presents. Statuettes N bisquo
and bronze and marble, accompanied by
ornate ppdestas, may be chosen for one
married friends. In fact. tho entire bred
byac line is chiefly useful AZ fOraglnG
ground for gifts to One's settled" trends
who have homes TO decorate. One finds
smoking sets displayed here, 10 be sure,
but no wise girl seeking gift for man
| friend Will venture ON sending SMOKING
set.
WHIM OF TIE HOUR.
II has become a whim of the hour 10
send single plates IN the daintler and more
costly chinas and pOTCcalns. These are
not intended to exc ont deficient sets,
but are more commonly for the parlor
mautel. table, or cabinet than for dining
room use. Bonn, Limoges, Crown Derby,
ROYAL Worcester, Bohemian, Douit0n,
Seyres, Dresden, and japanese wares are
appropriate for this purpose. 10 male
| friend, even though bachelor, HqptH
set in Hungarian glass Will hnd apprecia-
ton.
These is n good deal Of sentiment clus.
tered around the domestic hearth" and
perhaps for that reason fire-sets IN polish
| Ell brass have come 10 be much favored as
Christmas gifts. They consist OF andirons,
or dogs" poker, shovel, tOngs, and mold
er for these implements, and coal-scuttle.
Among the art embrOiderles one notices
nothing but japanese. Turkish, ana other
Oriental effects. These are wrought IN
gold upon the native silks OF the countries [l.s
where they are produced. and since they
are the whim OF the moment. no lndustrl.
Gus soul need be put to the trouble OF
producing marvels OF needlcwork with her
| own fair fingers, unless for one held very
| dear. The Orientals hold full sway. The
| articles are mantel-lamb-equins, table and
picture- and chair-scaris, Ouhet-coVers
and sOia-cuSDlOns.
IN FURNITURE.
Louis Quinze drawing room chairs and
| cabinets. dressing-tahles, cheval glasses
cb;foniers. and desks are the speclalue'
| for presentation purposes IN the furniture
department, anu u Is sure ~ H"S 'N"N ~
! thing one can hestOw upon the master OF
| mistress of n home Will give quite the same
| amount of pleasure and satisfaction that
ono of these articles VIII give rise TO.
| Thpv have nothing in common with the
General run of modern furniture abomlna-
| lions. but are distinctly artistic and beau
titul.
FOR CHILDREN
For the children. clever automatic and
mechanical toys take the place OF the anti
| ouafed bullding-blocks and Noah arks.
In ieWelry, stick-plns are pretty SpHc"T'
| Tor either sex, between the young peop4o'
| Pearls are particularly popular.
hi of art glassware will be an ap-
nroprlate offering from one matTon TO an-
other. ,,-,,- ...4 /.
The Dresden-handled umbrella must be
| selected il one 10 providing tor a lazy {;
| a buck-b horn silyer-mounted handle Tor a
SILVER photograph-frames are in many
| beautiful. odd. and eccentric designs.
| E,ln,c,s exchange these, ready-hlled.
| Whatever YOU give let It not be anything
! in fine shape Of an album. These are alb
| solutely tabooed., -, ;-L
| stand and pen-rack, accompanied by
CoId men and holder, is sensible and sulta;
| Bic. 1t will be ALWAYS before him and Will
nroye a most effective S0ureHT.
For a girl. why not FAM 1t ~ the time
| of wear when fans are most in demand, and
| The stores are full Of pretty specimens
| with carved, inlald ivory, or mother-o
pearl sticks and hand-painted lace 70
cover them.
.,,,1o<,o OnhpAhT,hE