Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-12-08
CLOSE AT HAND.
Annual Visit Of Santa Claus but
Seventeen Days Away.

How many people realize that
they have but fourteen days in
which to do their Christmas shop
ping. The majority OF people still
think of Christmas as in the in
definite future and have scarcely
given the gift question a thought.
There are some, however who
realize that the time is short and
is steadily becoming shorter. There
are enough of these wise people SO
that the stores have become unusual
centers of activity and the holiday
trade is now on in earnest.
Christmas shoppers have their
hands full both literally and figura-
lively speaking. A person without
a package of some sort is rarity
on the streets just now, and by the
thoughtfulness depicted on their
countenances, it is easy to imagine
that their minds are busy in the en-
deavor to fix on the right article for
the right person. In fact that is the
problem of the hour, and the mer-
chants are trying to assist the shop
pers how to solve it.
OF course in holiday shopping, as
IN the breakfast hunt of the hardy
sparrows, the early visitor. catches
the first choice of gifts. To be sure
there is plenty for al, but tastes diff
fer in proportion as the rarity OF
the article increases or diminishes.
There need be no particular hurry
if your decision has become settled
on handkerchiefs or gloves, but If
you want many other articles such
as are displayed for gifts it may be
we'll to initiate the BIRDS and be
early on the scene. Furs, furniture,
coats and clothing make useful
presents and a great variety of the
same are on sale at the principal
stores.
The jewelry and drug stores are
places at this season where humid
reds go and it is plain that there
hPye been special pains taken to
secure a large stock Of everything
in these lines including the latest
novelties in gold and silver. There
is a sa1rfeiting array of beautiful,
things of value n proportion. High
in favor with the people, too, at
this season are the book stores aid
there is nothing more suitable for
an inexpensive gift than a choice
book. In special feminine wear the
dry goods stores vie with each other
in gorgeous and huge displays.
The same word is spoken nv ali the
proprietors in varying degrees of
positiveness, but all agreeing on
the same point-that never before
in the history Of the city mas there
been such huge stocks of goods
laid IN for Christmas.
Above all, however, Christmas is
essentially children's day and toys
of all kinds and prices are display
ed in abundance, samples of the
things with which Santa Claus will
fill the stockings on Christmas eve.
After all's said and done, it is for
children that Christmas was made,
a day of gift giving and JOY and
they are entitled to first consider
alton. !.
The near approach of Christmas
should sound note of warning to
all people. Do not think that by
waiting until the last day or night
before Christmas that you can RUN
out and get ali you need in the gift
line. 1t is a lad thing to tell, but
nevertheless a great truth, that
every body does the.same thing or
nearly everybody. There is always
something forgotten, always one
last present to find, but by starting
early and buying something every
day from now to Christmas the
danger Of forgetfulness is lessened
and that is something devotedly to
be wished.
You may forget your very dearest
friend; he or she viii forgive upon
explanation, but woe to you If you
forget the children, the cook, the
housemaid or mother-in. law. There
lies the abyss Of everlasting con
domination and sneers. Initiate the
bird that gets up in the morning
and do your shopping early.
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