The Detroit times., 1910-12-23
CHRISTMAS TRADE
GREATEST EVER.
Present Season Breaks All Records,
Local Merchants Say-Better Grade
of Goods Purchased. Too.

II Jolly old Kris Kringle does not
have hump on his back from the
weight OF his pack this year~it will
not be the fault OF Detroit folk, for
local merchants say that never In
their business history has the buying
of holiday gifts been 80 large.
The buying Of holiday goods be-
gan early in November and has Kept
up steadily ever since" said the rep
resentative OF one large Woodward
ave. department store. And the class
of goods purchased Is of a better
grade than ever before. People DO
not want cheap things any more. just
because they are cheap. They de-
mand good articles and OF course. the
lowest prices commensurate with
quality. The close observer knows,
too. that buyers study more ana
more the individual tastes OF those
for whom the gift Is intended.
This increasing discrimination IN
demand has created a more discrim-
NATIVE supply, and the manufacture
ers are turning out far more artistic
goods in every line than was the case
a few years ago. There is less pure
~ ornamental stun in both personal
and household goods sold now than
in former years, people seeming 10
prefer the practical and useful. Un'
less an article has a distinct use II Is
seldom purchased, and the old-tiine
fol-de-rols which used to clutter mp .
the house have gone, no one knows
whittier. but let US hope never to re-
turn. Ard yet, the practical has not
superseded the sentimental side OF
Christmas giving by any means. We
have sold carloads Of toys for the
children and | think merchants all
over the city who deal in toys or
children's goods generally, will agree
that the trade this year has been ex-
ceptlcnally good
In the recent past Detroit has add
ed TO her business enterprises many
small shops devoted exclusively 10
one or two lines OF goods, and these
places. too, say that the holiday buy
| ing of 1910 has been most satisfac-
| tory.
People like artistic and unusual
goods, and II you can offer them
something just a little different to
the ordinary store they jump at the
chance to buy" declared the brisk
woman owner OF one OF these exclu-
| slve shops.
The big fur stores are enjoying the
brskest kind of trade, thanks to Dame
! Fashion, who decreed that the present
season should be one OF furs, and that
the woman who did not garb herself
for the street in imitation of bear or
! fox could not be considered strictly
lin it," Fur too, must appear on the
most diaphanous of evening gowns, 80
yards and yards of ermlne. mink, lynx.
sable and the other expensive pelts
which appear on miladi's gown like
wise enrich the cash register Of the
! fur merchant The jewelers. have
nothing to complain OF either. accord
! ing TO their own testimony. In this
! city Of millionalres many Jewels arc
bought while gold and silver plate and
elaborate china are found on many "a
family buffet
The merchants who purvey Christ
mas table delicacies declare that the
/ best is none too good for their Gus
toners and Detroit's Christmas din
ner tables will be loaded with the
weight OF their good things.
| In the midst of this prodigal pur-
! chasing for those TO whom gifts are
seat with affection Is a strong and
1 thou2htsul note OF remembrance for
the poor and the sick and the unior.
/ tunate The delivery departments Of
| the stores could tell many story OF
! packa gcs that will find their way into
/ he hymes OF the poor through the
generosity Of unknown givers. The
Christmas citt Of good will toward all
men seeFos 10 have loosened every
pnrsc string. ard the Christmas OF
+ 1910 Will 40 down into history as one
OF unusual good fellowship.