Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-09
Christmas Shopping Good.


chat Christmas buying is very active and
that sales show no indications OF money
scarcity or the unemployment that exists
among our working people There is
demand for the expensive as well as the
tower-prioed gifts. and everybody seems to
have come into touch with the spirit Of the
greatest festsl day Of all Christian coun-
kriee. The offerings OF gifts are even better
h their artistic qualities than those OF
ycar ago, and there seem to be more me
chanical toys or devices for the amuse-
ment Of the young lads and lsssies than
hitherto.
Itisnoted, also. that made in Germany
doll, have not vet returned, At least have
not come back under their own label, but
they may be here in disguise One woman,
q dealer. when asked if she had any Ger
man dolls, replied with a contemptuous
shrug that il would be long time before
abe sold anything made by the Hun, # she
knew it. So the world evidently has not
forgiven the Boches for injury t0 the
world, even in this Christmas time.
There are few French dolls in the shops
here. and it may be explained that the
people over there are turning their talents
Just now to more important matters than
the manufacture Of the wonderful, ex-
cuislte manikins, that seemed 70 be redo
lent Of the refinement and chic Of the
French patrician.
Japan, despite her antaFonism %
America for holding her as an inferior
people and barring her citizens, finds
ready market here for her interesting ar
tsstlc wares, especially her dolls, which
ernbody all the elegance Of contour and
dress that the women Of the Orient typlfy.
Merchants, this year. note the buying q
more articles of utility than for the last
three or four years This probably reflects
the conditions Of unemployment and be-
speaks more economic wisdom in spend
iny the money that was laid UP IN buster
days
Jewellers report business as very good
indeed, probably rot so active as a year
ago or the year previous, but still far
above the average Of normal Christmas
seasons. The iewelry business Is regarded
as an unfailing baromete- Of local retail
trade conditions, and the fact that il Is
active and strong, with purchases Of ex-
pensive goods, indicates that people are
buying generously and freely.
If there is any feeling Of business de-
preston for the immediate future other
than the present stringency q the money
market, chat fear is not Indicated by the
Christmas shopping reports.
The activity of the modern Kr!ss
Kringles' on the streets, with their chin
neys cleaned and ready for Christmas eve,
sr- hearing hundreds Of confessions daily
SIS the little ones come 10 them with such
beautiful trust and faith that attaches,
fortunately, only TO early childhood, and
lisp their expectations into the attentive
ear Of the Old Santa's scouts.
80 there seems to be nothing standing
between the American people and happy.
bouDtiful Christmas, and We viii be bene-
fted by the spirit of the occasion, which
teaches with such impressive emphasis
that the real Joy Of life at Christmas Or at
any other time. must be found IL the CIV
ing Every one can afford to add a little
more 10 his own enjoyment and satisfac-
tIon at this season by increasing the list OF
those who appreciate the expression Of
thoughtful remembrance at Christmas.
And generous buying too, viii stimulate
trade and re-cstablish in our minds the
fact that there can be no hard times or
undue depression 50 long as tho usual
channels Of trade are kept open through
she normal activities Of nj our people
While We may lament that there IS not
FIfiicIeDt gold iu circulation IT, use com Of
the precious metal for Christmas gifts. We
have the far more important consolation
Of knowing piece Of paper printed under
authority Of the United States is worth all
as face calls for Almost all the other ma
tons that engaged in the world war are not
only without gold, but their dollar Is de-
preciated to the point where it Is worth
only about rs cents as a medium Of ex-
change for Christmas wares. At the
present rate Of exchange the bulk Of
money needed for Santa Claus, with
which to buy his gifts, viii in the Old World
be 50 big that he will be compelled to have
sn extra team Of reindeer to convey his
pocket book, provided he pays spot cash
for all the millions of gifts he buys for
girls and boys
| p in Centre county, Pa, ipcendlaries,
I