Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-07
tbs YEARS NOVELTIES.

THIS YEARS NOVELTIES
Year after year there is generally 4
run created on some novelty for Christ
mas gifts. Two seasons ago the stores
were flooded with sterling silver articles
Of every size figure and description
Last year the craze was all for burnt
leather. but this year-with the two fads
still much in evidence-the great demand
is for articles made in burnt wood, fear
fully and wonderfully fashioned, and
really Very artistic.
/, is wonderful how pretty ornaments
Of this sort. pretty pictures, and such
like things catch the eye at Christmas
time.
LAS matter of fact" said a leading
merchant-the head Of a great dry-goods
house-ycsterGay there is very little
change in stocks from year 20 year. De-
signs are more elaborate. the variety OF
patterns is greater. but for the most part,
the run is on the same stocks-the jewel
ry. the leather goods. The fancy articles.
the handkerchiefs. the furs. and the book.
china. and toy departments. While this
is certainly true still there appears to
have been more refinement in both. and
better execution of more elaborate de-
signs.
The toy kingdom is wonderful exam
pie OF this development. The era OF rag
dolls and wooden horses gave way to the
IneCna1llCal 10Y. puL Ills SSai 'hI! Z a.
magic cities complete railroads, and
colIieries in working order, and toys pro-
PEELED by steam and electricity. 1t is not
generally known that merchants here
abouts order their Christmas supplies
year ahead OF time. No soon has the
stress and strain of the Christmas rush
subsidized than plans are made for the
next festival. and the Christmas toys be-
gin to make their appearance from
I,-lN
10 the storehouse until the time comes to
tempt the juveniles and their benefactors
bv an exposition Of the labors Of Santa
Claus's hands
Merchants seen yesterdays by Dispatch
reporter say that the Christmas shopping
has begun in real earnest. Delivery va
CONS are already working overtime while
many articles are being purchased and
stored until the joyous days arrives.
Many people invade the stocks as they
are being prepared. SO as TO get first
choice Being provident. other people
take time by his n1uch-abused forelock,
and DO their Christmas shopping upon the
first opportunity. just 10 get 1t OUT OF tte
way.
A SOCIETY GIRLS PRESENTS.
Then there are people whose motto IS
,l.avs something different''-who want
an exquisite something. or even tribe
that cannot be duplicated. and this is
only to be secured by enlulatins the eN-
ample of the early bird.
A lady who is prominent in social cir
cles has proceeded to this HYPOTHESIS, ana
has already completed her purchases.
Some of my presents are so lovely.
she said. to Dispatch reporter yester-
6ay. that | am sure they will interest
and al the same time perhaps, give some
suggestions that are worth wnl!e
.s0f course we all know how very dill
cplt it is 10 decide just what to give the
mother of large family who. having
passed through many ChrlstHaSes anu
BIRTHDAYS has apparently nothing 10 oe-
sire. either of the luNurles or more prac-
,iral articles that usually seize on these
occasions, The fact is. l have not heard
nor EXPRESS a wish for anything for years
ard as T last wear gave her third Flnal-
crette I could not possibly resort to tina.
friend-in-Eeed AGAIN
For several Gays. making tour after
tour of the good shops. ! remained unoe-
cideG, but finally in a millinery es'ao,
lish,neut / saw just what l wanted all
the time. without knowing it rms "as
an imperial sable neckpiece, standing up
beautifully about the face and hair ana
a small hat 10 mitch. This present kno"
will please her, for II would make his
more Interesting for any woman. even IL
she already had other fine articles OF the
same sort 1t has such charming 'no1'ic-
uality IN its making
For my lS-year-old sister. VINO loNes u.
sorts of pretty and odd things. | nave
sa,actea a love OF a necklace. Not or the
rep,,lar order assure you. Those VIII
doubt,ess come to her. as they have
way of doing to all women, in the course
OF her life but dainty thing. all irresu-
lar and charming. which she will Keep
and never tire Of because II Will never
become commonplace. I'm
feathers and brothers are move ol.i-