Evening star., 1896-12-18
BUYING HOLIDAY
GIFTS

way in which they are purchasing holiday
articles 1t would seem that hard times are
over, sure enough. Many mothers carry
their little ones with them in their shopping
expeditions. and the result is very interest
ing when the youngsters are excited by the
sights in the gorgeous toy windows, and
want everything that comes within the
range of their vision
The young maiden who Is in search of a
remembrance for her nearest one Is out in
force and in pretty dilemma as she en-
| deavors to make up her mind what to get
him, never for a moment thinking that
anything she might select would send him
to the seventh heaven of delight at an cleo
trio spark rate.
And so the crowd goes up and down the
busy thoroughfares, in and out Of the
stores. the rich and the poor, the old and
the young, mingling in a good-natured
crush, and all inspired by the heart-feeling
that predominates at this season of the
year. and inspires nearly every purchase
that is made.
There are other indications of approach
Ing Christmas. in the holly boughs that
are carried in hundreds of hands and the
loads OF Christmas trees that are piled on
country wagons which creep marketward
in anticipation of the big market day to-
morrow, and whose drivers are anxious to
secure good positions in which to display
the green bushes that are to gladden. so
many little souls on Christmas day.
"Our record for December, 80 far said
Mr.. Kent, the advertising representative
of the Palais Royal to a Star reporter to-
day. lis somewhat remarkable when we
take into consideration the general dull
times that have been felt for so many
months. Our sales for this month, up to
date, exceed considerably the amount for
the same period in December last year. I
do OF know whether this is due to more
confident feeling on the part of the people
or whether purchasers have grown wiser
and are buying their holiday presents and
Christmas things generally earlier than
usual. and thus missing the heavy crush
that occurs in the last two or three days
before Christmas. Wen find out, how
ever, in those last days.
The truth Of Mr.. Kents remark was
easily Illustrated when the reporter made
a tour through the vast establishment.
There were crowds in front of every coun-
ter and all seemed busy buying. In the
toy department there was noticeable ac-
tivity and the clerks seemed almost over
whelmed with the demands of eager Gus
toners In the jewelry department there
was also a crush. the inquiry for sterling
silver 1ewelry, toilet articles and similarly
appropriate things to be used for Christ
mas remembrances being worthy of re-
mark In such an establishment as the
Palals Royal, however, it would be impos-
s1ble Tor even the closest observer to more
than generalize about the profusion of ar
tcles appropriate for holiday gifts. The
WINDOW on the street front of the build
IN. indicates that Christmas is inspiring
done inside. In the window mentioned
there is remarkably artistic arrangement
OF hahdkerchiefs. Thousands of these
dainty little articles have been used in the
production of Christmas scene. Kris
k1pgle's sleigh, drawn by three reindeer
driven tandem, stands in front of a dwell
ing house, through the chimney of which
Old Kris kingle himself is about to de-
80 = r.
dren's stockings From the reindeer's ant
lers TO the window panes of the house
everything has been reduced by the deft
fashioning of handkerchiefs 1t Is a tri-
umpn IN the art of window dressing well
worth a visit.
A little farther up. at 926 7th street, is
the handsome store of NJ. Goldenbere.
where can be found inrumerable articles
of use and beauty calculated to please the
feminine heart and eye. This year Mr.
Goldenberg has paid special attention to
such things as handkerchiefs, fine linens
gloves and other dainty articles. A new
department has recently been opened de-
voted entirely to porcelains, Dresden china
and the like, which make very welcome
and appropriate Christmas presents
result is that the store would be too
crowded for comfort were it not for the
fact that its force of clerks Is large enough
to take good care of all the customers.
Kann's, corner Of sth and PENNSYLVANIA
avenue, Is making holiday specials of such
articles as gloves. handkerchiefs, neck fix
fng5 for ladies and gentlemen, umbrellas
ribbons and dress patterns. Each of these
departments has been enlarged three-fold
to accommodate the throngs Of holiday
shoppers. Dress patterns have been made
another feature, and the choice of material
almost endless. 1t Is possible at Kann's 10
buy pretty much everything needed for q
fashionable toilet, with the single exception
perhaps of shoes. The house is making a
speciality Of ladies' jackets, and a half doz-
en- models are perched high revolving
stands above the counters on the first floor
to better demonstrate their style and finish.
A tour of Perry's, 9th and PENNSYLVANIA
avenue shows every department full of the
best class of dry goods the latest novelties
in every fabric, the most delicate silks and
satins from the great European marts and
the best productions In silk cotton and
wool of American manufacture. This house,
which has been established since 1848, has
the reputation of always Offering the very
best. The novelties prepared for the Christ
mas trade embrace pretty much everything
that the feminine mind reverts to with
pleasure, not only for personal decoration
but also for the home. In these latter spe-
cialties new department in the new addi-
tion has been added during the past year.
Among the rich materials for curtains or
furniture hangings there are reproductions
of art stuffs of unusual beauty Benares
ware, Damascus chairs. Koran holders. pill
lows covered with curious cloths of East
Indian manufacture, tabourets, are other
unusual articles. Stylish and perfectly
fitting coats, wraps Of every description and
dresses are another feature. while the part
of the store given up to art linens sets for
the table or the dressing case suggest Dos
sibilities In the way of handsome gifts
which could not fail to be acceptable to the
recipient.
Another store SO complete in all its de-
partments as to do away with all NEED on
the part Of Washington people to do their
shopping In New York or PHILADELPHIA. is
that of Lansburgh & Bro, on 7th street.
The establishment is as well known to
ladies In this city as Ii the Bon Marche or
| the Louvre to the Partisan beau monde.
and never before was it better prepared to
supply the most fastidious. IT requires ro
| less than $50 salespeople to handle the i'm.
mense business the store has built uD by
| sticking to its rule of selling the best al
1 the lowest possible prices. In, the way OF
| things serviceable. as Weil as ornament al
| from handsome and costly cloaks TO the
| daintiest little trine that Is dear to the
heart OF woman. Ii long step, perhaps