Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-12-26
CHRISTMAS IN !.
THIS CITY WAS
NORMAL Nal ,A]LL[SAIY|
Local Trade About as Us
sual, Merchants Agree ].
Much Jewelry Bought.

Normal" is the verdict of Grand
Forks merchants when summing up
their Impressions of this years local
Christmas trade. A number of. busi-
ness men who were seen today agreed
that the first war Christmas Of Grand,
Forks was in no conspicuous way diff
ferent from the holiday seasons of
the last few years.
There was much to indicate that
people are enjoying a high degree OF
prosperity despite the prevailing high
prices which govern the market of IN
commodities-in fact,sMit
appears that there was a slight ten
dency to indulge a little more in lux
ury thar before-this to be taken in q
rather modest sense, however.
jewelers.. for instance, pointed out
that considerably more jewelry was
sold this ear than in 1916. and in a
few cases. the sales approached even
those Of the banner year in that line
of business. 1915.
1t was also very noticeable that
many more toys were sold than is US
ually the rule. 1t seemed as though
parents realized the necessity of let
ting their children have an oppor-
tunity to remember, that even though
the Christmas of 1917 was a war
Christmas. they should not be neglect
ed, t-'.%
Judging from short interviews with
merchants as we'll as with many pur-
chasers of average means, the ma
jority of Christmas gifts this year con-
sisted of articles which had the two
fold aim of being useful as we'll as
pleasing. One head of a large store
said. for instance. that he had never
before in the history of his business
sold as many clothing articles during
the Christmas season as this year. 1t
was clear that most of the purchases
We're made with presentation to
friends and relatives in view.
Apparently stockings were we'll fill
ed throughout the city. Empty stock
ings have not been reported, and-even
in the homes of the Very poor. some
form of Christmas joy was present
having been provided through one: OF
the agencies of private charity. q =
Christmas was celebrated in the
hospitals and the county Jail in the
manner which has beer dignified by
delight prevailed among those who
for various eason were unable to be
with their nearest relatives.
Poultry had been practically dis
posed of by Monday evening. Ducks
had disappeared from the local mar
ket quite early in the day. and turkeys
and geese were sold at a rate which,
in some cases vas considered rather
amazing.
for sale in the city. All those. that
were here have been bought, decorat;
ed. and placed in the parlor of homes
throughout the city. a.
The pretty custom of lighting the
Christ child or his way" was observed
rather generally in various sections Of
the city, and tho Ped Cross, illuminat-
ed by ~candlelight, appeared in hun
dreds of windows.
Altogether, Grand Forks celebrated
a Christmas rather normal in all re-
spects.
But the sombre background of it all
was the war. No one wanted to for
get that and no one did forget. In
many homes moist and proud eyes
were looking at one or two or even
three. stars in the service flag of. the
nation, and here and there good news
came TO immediate relatives OF the
boys who are serving Uncle Sam eth
er in camps at home or abroad.
In that respect. the Grand Forks
Christmas was anything but normal
1t was a most unusual Christmas, but
that the real spirit of the season az
well as of the war is very much alive
here was clearly illustrated by the
fact n a Grand Forks county leads al
the other counties in the state in the
gigantic Red Cross membership drive
whose final results were made known
on Christmas day.
AS one patriotic citizen said today;
1--we could have sent our soldiers pe
better christmas greeting than the
announcement that We are standing
behind them with our Red Cross and
all that it means. That astonishing
membersf ip increase certainly is Z
Christmas gift which our boys abroad
will appreciate. They will understand
from that that we are with them
every man, woman and child amont
us. And when we choose this way il
which TO wish them a Merry Christ
mas" they can hear hat the true r:r
is in the greeting"