Gunnison news-champion., 1922-12-22
THE -RANcH WOMAN SAYS:

Now is the time Of year when city
folks gather up odds and ends to
send TO their ranch relatives for
Christmas presents. l do hope they
Will send something sensible and prac-
teal this year, Tor in seasons past,
they seem to have had rs little idea of
iuietide appropriateness as some of
those metropolitan college professors,
who write those incoherent pamphlets
telling the ranch women, in frantic
phrases, just how to do things.
10 come down TO concrete things,
folks in the farming communities
have very little use for city doo-dads.
II seems like y cruel waste of postage
for city folks to try TO work off their
White elephants annually on their
country cousins and call them Christ
mas presents. Perhaps some of the
giits wouldn't be entirely out of place
u they we're accompanied with an
information sheet giving correct name
and hint as to the specific use of
same.
Last year got one of those black
satin mufflers that go with dress suits.
mother received drawnwork towel
embroidered in pink flowers from a
cousin in indianapolis, but her cousin
was thoughtful enough to tell her
cousin was thoughtful enough to tell
mother it was for cut glass. As no
piece of cut glass accompanied the
towel, it is still nesting IN its tissue
wrappings" us the add writers say.
Sister got an airy, much decolletted
party gown that had already been on
duty. Brother Jared best of all; he
got penknife. Somehow, folks al
ways associate boys with knives, and
while he would have preferred jack
knife to the little pearl-handied one
"Shucks" he exclaimed, "nny kind
of a knife beats those other things"
Now, ranch women do not eschew
dainty things. Not a bit of it. They
are as particular as their city cousins
about summer fuffiness, pretty lin
gerie and silk hosiery, but owing to
the shortness Of the summer season in
many rura! places, especially in the
mountain-country, there is such
thing as too much Of good thing.
l happened in the other day on
nearby neighbor as she was packing
trunk to put in the attic for the win
ter. And what do you think she was
putting away? A hasty glimpse re-
vealed six pairs of slippers in various
colors including pair of gold ones
with French heels, q white feather boa,
tie three yard length model, a white
satin sport skirt with two grease spots
on the front, big lace hat trimmed
with white ostrich plume, and, four
elaborate used-before party gowns.
when my relatives don't know
what to do with their left-ovcrs they
send them to US for Christmas" she
explained. "This was last years Of
fering. Yes, / used some of the
things a few times during the summer.
l wore the gray slippers to an evening
community party. But all these gew-
gaws, l call them, are out Of place
around here. Funny. isn't it, that
folks with means don't send US few
practical things once in a while ~
said my neighbor, as she rolled up
two pair of pink silk stockings to put
away.
"Now, If l lived in the city and my
sisters lived on ranch, do you know
what I'd send them for Christmas? II
do not say wouldn't send any left
overs, but do you think / would send
such fussy things. Not for a minute
Id send them warm, woody things, and
not call them gifts.
First, / would send money, If only
q very small amount, possibly dollar
bill. You know ready cash is about
the handiest thing one can have around
q ranch. II did not send money, I'd
send useful things-a bolt of cheese
cloth. q bundle Of go0d-length REM
nants, possibly some bedding, blank
ets or pillow slips, . package of
towels, would 60 strong for pract-
cal things, but would have them pref
~, I'd get sweaters il could good
looking ones, perhaps woolen stock ,,
ings Of good quality, fleece lined |
gloves, or knitted ones. Yoa know |
some folks make fun Of handkerchiefs,
but I'd send lot just the same, but /
always put something else with them. |
Knowing the dearth of fresh things
IN winter, am sure I'd send some
fresh fruit, maybe oranges or lemons,
Or q, bunch Of celery. And how we
pine for something growing during
The long winter months. ! would al
bulbs and pretty jar to put them in. I
besides glass and would
S~SAAA q AGW kCu C&Asb0lCS 1AOtl8 WILL lts
II small girls were in the family, I'd
send plenty Of hair ribbons. To boys,
I'd send strong toys, mechanical things
not too difficult to manage. Pocket
knives I'd always include. / would
send magazine subscriptions, too.
II often wish someone would send
Us dozen writing tablets and dozen
pencils to go with them. How / long
sometimes, for good ball of twine,
rubber bands, tube Of paste; things
like that usually come in packages,
and box filled with such things is
always most useful"
My neighbor enumerated half hun
dred things that would be welcome in
the country and so easily purchased
BY. those who have access to stores. !
agree heartily with her ideas, don't
yOu! II folks giving presents would
put more Of themselves into The Civ
ing. thew Wuuld be- tie HAMMER for IL