New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-14
THE ART OF GIVING.

LIE AM Or III ' 1-NN-
A favorte maxim of the Greeks. one which gave
expression to their sanity, their of proper
ton, was, DO nothing too much" II might we'll
be said that it IS Characteristic of the American
temperament to do everything too much. We are
continually building our goodness up SO high that
1T topples down the other side and becomes a
kind of bdness?" Even celebration of the
Christmas festival. through overela bOration. has
lost something of its dignity and sincerity and the
day after finds many of exhausted physically,
mentally and financially. One might easily write
a chapter upon The Abuses of Christmas But
how to reform? 1t seems to be settled thing that
the essence of the Christmas spirit should
press itself in giving-and seemly custom il is,
that this day OF peace an: good will all the world
should give. If. then, Chrstmastme is be the
sweet and significant season it ought to be.
must learn the art Of giving-what to give. TO
whom, and how.
". f. E. in her clever letter of December g. in
sists that Christmas gifts should invariably be
luxuries. But what are necessities to are
luXuries TO another. l have known people in whose
heart severely practical haunels and kitchen
stove have produced the same kind and degree of
joy that w. Z. L. has found in her coral chain
her piece of silver. III the man at your door has
shoes writes Emerson. you have no need to
consider whether you could procure him paint
box" 1t is all matter of the individual. of his
tastes, his needs, his limitations. To give wisely
and well requires tact and genuine unselhshness. II
the poeketoook Is very slender one the labor or
love is but the greater for the minimum of eX-
penditure mean the maximum love The
smallest gift Christmas card. may be per-
feet in its way. perfect IN its adaptaLHity to the
recipient.
In spite of protests NJ. Ms caustic denuncia-
ton OF the exchange Of trash at Christmas will
find echo in some hearts. Trash is the refuge
of the incompetent. the thoughtless giver and is
put upon the market entirely for his benefit There
nkstands deliberately constructed not to
hold ink. pinCuShtonS with no adequate provisions
for pins; hosts of articles which, because they
neither useful nor beautiful have no excuse for
being. What in the world is this good fOr?' asked
a who stood before counter full of So
called christmas goods Nothing said the
salesman, whose sense of humOr keen; it's
Christmas present" Any attitude toward Christ
may churlish, but there are some of us who
will admit an acquaintance with trash.
To whom to give? Truly, for this question there
can be none but individual answer. Often there
are friends outside of the immediate home circle
so dear that the season would lose much of its
1t may be added that all Christmas giving
Will be lifted 10 higher plane if it invariably in
GUIDES who only receive, who cannot
possibly make a return.
And how to give? The writer has found partial
solution for the Christmas problem, already
suggested by several correspondents, in gradual
preparation through the year which really
the only sensible and rational way.
After all. must lie blaSe and cynical, indeed.
whose pulse does not quicken little at the sight
of the holly in the windows. the Christmas thrOngS
and the consciousness of that subtle sense of joy
and mystery which is a legacy left us from child
hood. Yes. we shall continue TO give. blunderngly
we shall learn how do it more sanely, more sin
MARY JANSEN DU BOIS
NapanOck Ulster County. y. Y.