Putnam patriot., 1909-12-03
Christmas Shopping.

One of tho most pefpleSing and try. ing seasons for eur merchants and stoekeepers is the Christmas holidays. Then it Is that service that can he and should be extended over several weeks Is mostly crowded into about as many days. It draws heavily on the ner. vous force of proprietors, assistants and clerks almost to the eollapsing point, and always te an exhausted state And all because the public does not take the matter into proper consideration.
 The question Is, .How can the ordi- nary state of affairs at Christmas time be bctteredr''
 Merchants and xtorekeepes arc glad of the holiday trade, and do everything on their part to meet the desires and expectations of customers: and If the latear could realize how much they can do to mako the Christmas season trade not only apleasant and profitable occa- sion to the storekeepers, but . joyous one, they would no doubt conform to their wishes and exert themselves tn regard to making thcirt Christmas pur- chases.
 Putnam Is no different in thls res- pect from other rcities--lsrgc and small. The Gonsumers' League of New York are making vigorous campaign in it's appeal to the public to do Christmas shopping early for the sake of the in- ries. To them the holiday rush means long hours under severe pressure. and, in consequence, Christmas of such physical and nervous fatigue as to make the holiday mockery. The same story Is told in every city but in different styles, indicating 1t is prevalent evil, and mainly from ut- ter thoughtlessness. People arc bene. soicnt intent on giving pleasure, yet they give pain because they do not stop to think or plan out their needs with consideration for the needs of others. The Christmas season should be ono Of thoughfnlness for all and cheerful ness for all We therefore offer this suggestion for the consideration of in tending. ehristmas shoppers: Let every one decide at once that they will en- deavor to make Christmas as cheerful as they can by doing their shopping eafly Let them encourage as many others as they can to do likewise. Let Il be discussed as an obligation for do ing good to others To be prompt and carly in doing their Christmas shop. ping, when they meet al social gather. ings. let il be he general determine ton this year, that those whose husi. ness II Is to serve them, will be cheercd by receiving early patronage. The to- tal amount of such service will he ap. preeialed and be of lasting benefit Ia buyer as we'll as seller.
 Me have said good deal on this point purposely. Our merchants and shopkeepefs are now getting in their goods In larger amounts than usual en- eouraged by the prevailing prosperity, which warrants larger amount of Christmas shopping than usual.
 In doing shopping early the puf. chaser will have better opportunity of being .waited upon and seeing 4 largerl variety of holiday goods than would be possible in rush hour.
 
 The buyers will not only get what they want from large selection but on the most favorable terms.
 They will have the consciousness of having done meritorious service and one that will be appreciated by those they seek to benefit.
 They will enjoy their own Christ mas for having sought to make others happier on that joyous day.
 -