Evening star., 1896-12-17
CHRISTMAS FANCIES
How the Big Stores Anticipate the
Holiday Trade.
ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS OF GOODS
What Some Merchants Have Made
the Features of the Week.
POINTS FOR SHOPPERS

The big department store, when 1t comes
to Christmas preparations. h very much
like big magazine or other periodical, so
far as the preliminary arrangements are
concerned. AS Christmas stories are fire.
quently written by authors who sit coatless
beneath the refreshing artificial breezes of
an electric fan, so are the Christmas things
that are to charm the old and delight the
young when displayed on the shelves and
in the windows rs the holidays approach
created when the mercury is climbing heav-
onward with almost pious energy. AS early
as the 1st Of October the astute individuals
who are known to the mercantile world as
buyers" are out in quest of the latest
novelties which the factories that manu-
facture such thiEgs can present. The
whole world Is secured in this search.
There are agents everywhere, who are on
the lookout for the latest and the most
attractive novelties, because In these ad-
vanced days the demand Is for Christmas
gifts out Of the former common run Of
such things. Mechanical toys from France.
almost human dolls from Germany and a
vast variety of other ingenious playthings
for the little ones are secured. Then there
are the thousand and one other articles
that Will always be considered appropriate
as holiday presents, which are selected in
quantities long before even the most san
guine child is beginning to SO much as
tQlNk ABOUT SuTiSlIldS uo great WOTh
at the stores comes in the arrangement of
the Christmas Things SO that they may
present the most-attractlve advantages to
the crowds that throng the sidewalks
riches, or the aisles within tianked by
shelves and counters borne down with the
beautiful and useful things that accentuate
the arrival of the holiday season.
No less active in the exercise of this fore
sight are the proprietors of the establish
ments which are devoted to special lines OF
business. The Wide-awake and progressive,
who keep abreast Of modern methods and
are aware that competition, next to we'll
directed advertising, Is the life Of trade, are
early in the market, jealous in their pur-
SUIT of latest things in their particular
branches. Each merchant Is anxious to Sc
cure the exclusive supply Of some particu-
lar articles for his immediate territory, ana
the competition that arises from this spirit
is keen and eager. jewelers. seek out The
daintiest and most beautiful creations in
their line; booksellers endeavor to find the
best authors In the best bindings, and so ii
goes all through the list in the business
world.
Washington is happily possessed of mer-
chants of enterprise and wisdom, who are
well aware Of the cosmopolitan character
of the population they have to cater to
and who prepare themselves accordingly.
A stroll through the business sections of the
city in and out of the department and
special stores. Will illustrate to a superla-
tive degree the fact that any taste and any
purse car be abundantly satisfied In holl-
day way at the national capital as easily
as the same thing could be accomplished
IN New York, Chicago or any of the other
big cities.
1t was astute observer who said re-
Gently that there were three universally
recognized institutions In the city of
Washington, and upon being asked to
enrmerate them, replied: The United
States government. The Evening Star and
the Boston Store" 1t Is probable that
nearly every person resident in the Dis
trict or vicinity will admit the truth of
this original remark, and certainly stran-
ger visiting the latter institution would
be forced to the conclusion that Woodward
& Lothrop's was apparently the Mecca
of all the holiday purchasers at the ma
tional capital From the stationery de-
partment In the basement, whore the latest
books and the handsomest bindings, the
most delicate papeterie and kindred things
are found in apparently endless profuSion,
up through the bewildering contents of
the various departments the crowds surge
and push in persistent endeavor to buy.
buy, buy. The toy department attracts the
ford mothers and proud papas and they
are nonplussed at what they find. Every
thing, it would seem, from tin horn to
a miniature express train, with Pullman
sleepers and observation car attached, ap-
pears to be contained in the articles dis
played here. But everywhere one turns in
the entire building attractive and novel
articles hold the vision, and send the hand
involuntarily toward the pocket book. 1t
would Iced volt me to describe the
Christmas things at the Boston store, and
even If it were a big book there would
still be not enough room to enumerate all
the beauties or half the usefulness that
is shown on the shelves and counters of
the famous establishment
There is everything to tempt the fancy of
man or maiden at the Bon Marche on 7th
street. from candy up through the whole
af hN1i1 i1ry n1e Nh
are filled with the brightest and prettiest
novelties in the way of bracelets, hat pins,
earrings, cuff buttons, &c. Along the lines
essentially feminine are the hats trimmed
and untrtmmed, pretty aprons, a great
assortment Of neck garniture, in feathers,
lace and chiffon, dress trimmings, flowers
and ribbons. in bewildering assortment of
styles and colors.
Kings Palace is making a speciality for
the holiday trade In a magnificent display
of toys. There are dolls as tall as a child
seven years old, and they range down to
the smallest in size and price. There are
sleighs, games, wagons, bicycles, ETC., suit-
able for either boys or girls All the prepa-
rations are, however, not for the little
folks Fancy goods. in the latest novelties
and large department for Jackets ard
wraps, as well as trimmed and untrimmed
millinery, are seasonable Indications that
the best styles and lowest prices will pre-
vail
W. H. Hoeke, sth and Market space, is
eevoting the entire first floor and the man.
moth show windows OF his conveniently To-
Gated establishment to an: exhibit that
should not be overlooked, especially by
those in doubt as to what to purchase as
Christmas gifts. A feature is made OF
Narius Martin goods, of gold leaf. hand
painted. Other handsome presents may be
easily selected from a complete assortment
of odd parlor pieces, inlaid mahogany fur
niture, music cabinets, ladies' desks and
toilet tables, to say nothing Of carpets at
prices in keeping with the times.
In a remodeled store, and with q complete
stock, Clark & Co., Sl1 Market srqce, ,are
better prepared than ever before 70 meet,
and satisfy, the demands Of heif1ay shop
pers. A feature is made OF haadksrchiefs,
which never fail to prove eoeeptable as
Christmas remembrances. The firm claims
to be thoroughly acquainted with the hand
kerchief market, and to have knowledge in
that line not possessed by other buyers. On
the counters are shown handkeRchiefs, silk
and linen for men. women,sgirls and boys,
al the best. 1t is said. ever sold for the
money, here or elsewhere. sUmbrellas also
are popular gifts. and those that may be
obtained at Clark & Co.'s are Of the very
best make. while the prices are reasonable.
The foregoing are but two features Of a