Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-12-10
The Christmas Gilt Problem.

Inc WOfflE3 1ECluCHt W noi'ibS VIZ
Christmas gift problem are Just now dis
turbing the nerve equilibrium in many
households. while efforts that tax the
good wife's energies and the good mans
pocket are disturbing the serenity, in not
few instances, more than does the
annual chaos of housekeeping. We hope
that, us after the latter disturbances sim
liar pervading wholesomeness and sense
of reward may follow.
What an intolerable old tyrant Fashion
is and how tamely we all submit to her
DEGREES and jostle each other at the foot of
her throne for the most conspicuous place
in which to kncel and pay her homage so
that all may recognize us as her devoted
subjects! Then We go away and some OF
us laugh at our neighbors for their I'M
thinking vassalage to the same old auto
crat We fling sneers at her, but behind
her back, mind you. We allow the stale
jokes about big sleeves, wasp waists, high
collars and the thousand and one, ever
varying but not less burdensome or glar-
ing badges of our slavery to provoke Us
even to the verge of commissions. True,
laughing is said to afford much the same
sort of relief as docs crying, but neither
Is capable of freeing the world from the
serfdom of Fashion. OF course we do not
all advertise our adherence in the most
conspicuous way imaginable. Not all
will suffer physical pain because Fashion
may decree an uncomfortable or disfigur-
ing garment or narrow shoe; but some
how and in some way, be it ever so
modest and be our boasts of Independence
ever SO loud, we all Of us are pretty sure
to be found In Fashion train, which Is Il
long one
If any feel inclined to dispute this
not altogether llattering conclusion, they
have but to be reminded of the universal
obedience to the mandates of the bediz-
ened old goddess in the matter of Christ
mas gifts. We don't imagine the old
tyrant ever originated this beautiful Gus
tom of Christmas giving. She never was
very original in her ideas. Some good
soul would do very innocent thing,
perhaps noble and possibly ignoble, but
which CHANGED to please Fashions fancy,
when she would find way to adopt it as
her own Then that which was sponta-
neous from the heart becomes regulated by
the etiquette of Fashions court becomes
a burden we dare not shake off until our
sovereign may replace it with another no
less Objectionable.
1t must be admitted, however that the
custom of Christmas giving has become a
nuisance very gradually. Fashion is
nothing II not deceitful and insinuating
And about this beautiful Christmas GUS
tom there is a charm which will never be
altogether absent from It, and Of which
the impcrious old tyrant can never en-
tirely strip it. There is pleasure in 1t
still, pleasure we dare not nationally
enjoy however. Some feel they cannot
remember their dearest friends as gener-
ously as they would for the reason they
feel In duty bound to remember so-and-so
and such an one, because in swapping
Christmas gifts there is, as there is not in
swapping horses sense of honor and a
pride in giving more than one receives
But comparison of evils seldom works
reform, ant. much of the Christmas giving
today is an evil of almost appalling pro-
portions.
The burden does not weigh heaviest in
the self denial many have to practise, in
order to squander on gifts to those who
in any rational view of the matter should
not be considered in the bestowal the
time and labor expended for no adequate
results, the struggle of those already over
worked to exc out their limited fund for
giving by supplying the deficiency with
fruits of their own toll, the heartaches of
those overlooked or neglected, as some
must be where the range is so broad these
are few of the most annoying features
of our servitude to custom or fashion.
Must we wait until the tyrant finds a
more CALLING slavery before she removes
the chains of this? There are pleasing
signs of revolt. There are those who are
determined to draw a line beyond which
they refuse to go. They have notified
acquaintances that hereafter they will
not be at home to Christmas gifts and dc
not propose to give any except to mem.
beers of their own family; that what they
give shall indicate knowledge of the
fullest pleasure to be conferred rattle