The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-12-15
Cur @liu.
The Common Sense of Christmas
Gifts


their ideas of Christmas Gifts in Demorests
Magazine for December:
Mrs Margaret Bottome, President Of The Kings
Daughters
There are thousands of people just now
to whom the reflection of the approach of
Christmas time is laden almost with horror.
This is certainly time for a reform move
ment in matter of Christmas gifts.
speak from my heart on this subject,
as have spoken from my heart in writing
upon it for years. | believe that in the
great tide of extravaganza and competition
in the exchange of Christmas gifts, we have
lost all sight of the real sentiment of the
custom, and are giving now from the
pocket, instead of from the heart The
most deplorable fact is that they who make
expensive Christmas presents look for IA
return in gifts, if not actually in money
This miserable feeling in rejecting upon
the approach of Christmas does not prevail
among the poorer people, but among the
comparatively well to do. These people
scrape together every cent and bankrupt
themselves for the privilege of giving pres
ents indiscriminately to every Tom. Dick
and Harry. Now all this is wrong. As
| have said. reform is needed. actually
believe that it will soon have to be made a
distinct reform measure. In Switzerland
it is considered bad form to give presents
worth more than three francs That S an
excellent custom, worth of emulation.
What should be given as presents at
Christmas tide? The eostliest things that
money can buy? Not bit of it, A
simple little note, written by ones own
hand and couched in terms of kindliness
that will touch responsive chord in the
heart of the recipient, is better Christmas
present than something that costs enough
money to bankrupt the giver for six months.
As Emerton says, The gift should be part
of the giver. Therefore, young women
making gifts might paint something, en-
broider something, make anything with
their own hands, that may be called part
of themselves. In their own way young
men, too, can give something which is a
part of themselves, providing ii is given in
the true spirit, even though it is bought
with money,-money which they them
selves have earned.
| sometimes think We shall actually lose
Christmas, for the reason of this very ex-
cess in the giving of presents. New Year 5
has been lost TO us. | remember in my
girlhood days how | used to enjoy the old
Knickerbocker custom of receiving one 5
friends in the most simple way and having
them partake informally of simple refresh
ment But now all that is changed
Today it seems to be the custom for callers
to go where the finest banquet is served.
sincerely hope that these words will be
considered. that in their serious considera-
tion extravaganza in the matter Of Christ
mas gifts will be changed to economy, and
that the real sentiment of giving presents
on the birthday more important than all
others will be saved to US.
Ms. William Tod Helmuth President of sorosis
am aware that there is too much ex-
travagance and competition in the matter
of Christmas gifts. but Of course that is
generally understood. There is. however,
a phase of the question of making Christ
mas gifts which suggests the absence Of
Santa Claus altogether. can best Illus
trate what | mean in a true story.
During my sojourn at Bar Harbor, this
summer. had occasion to drive frequently
down the Atlantic road to little fishing
village where the fisher people catch lob
sters and all sorts of things. went there
one day with friend for days fishing.
We secured as our escorts for the excur-
sion a little boy and his father, both
typical down Casters, and possessing all
the innocence of country people The little
boy was particularly interesting. After
we had had our lines in the water awhile
my friend said to the little boy.
What do you catch here ?
The answer, drawled in the usual fisher
boy way, was not profoundly learned, but
it was truth He simply drawled
Fish.
My friend, whose bait didn' seem to
catch very well, then asked him. What
do you catch fish WITH
The answer was simply, ssB-a-i-t
Just then my friend caught very in
significant specimen of 6ndom, and the
little boy. noticing her look of contempt.
philosophically remarked
You-have- -to-catch anything
you-can- get-here.
We then became very much interested
in the boy. and asked him miscellaneous
questions At last We happened to speak
about Christmas
What did Santa Claus bring you last
Christnas?' my friend asked
This was the reply He-didn T.
bring-nothing. Santa-Claus-neyer-
s-out-here It's-too--far-awa
-for-him
! Certainly the answer was pathetic.
Need say that Santa Claus will get there.