The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1904-12-12

The pains and annoyances Of the
Christmas shopping period may have
been appreciably relieved by the ef.
forts of the Chicago Commons Wo-
mans club. witch has heen instruct
ing its members and through thcm
he world outside. in the art OF correct
/ Christmas eiving. The eloquent
speakers maintained that much folly
( Is committed in the name of Christ-
mas that q wife should not procure
for her husbane fine gold. watch
"and charge II to him" that a husband
should not give his wife a shaving
mug, and that a set ot lace curtains is
not fitting present from the mistress
&c the house to the rltative head
thereof.
10 a considerable degree the ora
torical ladies' are correct in their con
tenton a husband while not totally
unprepa~ed for the shock is always
more or less grieved when the bill for
his Christmas gift cones in The won
derfu assumption OF masculine obli
cations. duties and ways do not imply
that she is quite ready for the shaving
nme AS for the lace curtains there
is somewhat Of beauty and symmetry
and poetry In their artistic folds which
may be considered later
In point of giving aud receiving
Christmas is essentially the childrers
day. and the abuses which have grown
cut of the extension of the desire to
make the little ones harpy might be
corrected without any special damage
to the years output OF trade. Christ
mas is sometimes spoken of feelingly
as the annual hcll.up which should re
ceive legisla ion. but inasmuch as
there Is no immediate prospect Of
total change in the system the next
lest thing is To regulate it as wisely
and sensibly as possible on reasonable
lines A practical woman once said
that she regarded her birthday ami
that she alwavs wisheG TO receive
birthday gifts pertinent to herself. AS
ter Christmas. she shared Il with mill
ions of others and shc believed that If
husbands and wives or other grown
momhe's of a family exchanged gifts
on that day they might contribute
something that would be serviceahle
to and appreciated by all in the com
mon lot.
Acting on this cnnnently sensible
suggestion there is no reason why the
head OF the fa",ily should not rejoice
in the contemplation OF his teautful
lace curtains. or new dinner table,
or special chair for The library, Or a
much NEEDED chandelier. OF a fine rug
for the secon l-socy from, room And
madam might be oyerioyed by the
timely arrival Of an up to date gas
range. or a cl;ina cabinet or an inn
posing sidoboarl, or oven tho newest
cut of wine and oordla1 glasses if the
family were disposed TO be bibulous.
In his way Christmas wonId take on =
practical and hcreacient aspect and
become more than ever season Of
cheer aad reioicing
Thercfcre this hint which was sub
mtted in a s!!7;t Of derision by the
ladies in the c!uhroonr assembled, may
De turned TO The family advantage ana
give fresh opportunity for general felic-
itation at the coming Of the holidays.
The art of useful giving from lace cur.
tains to library chairs will become N
household study ani an extra course
in the educational department Of the
wcman's club. For, as President
Roosevelt says, all other questions
sink into utter significance when com !
pared with the tremendous. the vital
importance of trying to shape condi-
lions SO that the duties of the mar
and the woman can re fulfilled and so
that the hest Interests Of the family
may be served.