The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-17
Smart but
Useful Is
Good Rule
BY JULIA BLANSHARD
NEA Service Writer

NEA Service Writer
NEW YORK, Dec. 17.-Humor is
N an excellent trait for any
Christmas gift to have. But this
year. if you are feeling in mood
to give a smart present, let your
humorous contributions run to use
ful things.
Knickknacks and useless gadgets
are out Of place this year! Presents
that have purpose are much more
acceptable.
Give the tricky presents that have
a double purpose and thanks VIII
overwhelm you. Such gifts are espe-
cially good to take your Yuletide
hostess, send casual acquaintance
or fussy friends.
Furniture Is Versatile
There are innumerable things
this winter that look like one ar
ticle and turn out TO be another.
Furniture comes high in this list.
There are two-timing bookcases
that make a coffee table or serving
table. 6aybeds that are verltaole
wardrobes with a huge drawer under
them for storing things, low Bullets
that turn and twist into a break
fast table with a whole lot OF cleo
trical things at hand to COOK on,
decorative screens that turn around
to show a neat bar, and SO on.
Among the newest furniture is a
rnodernized old-fashioned fire seat
that has three uses. It's round back
lifts and hooks to make the seat into
a. table for dining. Its seat Illus up
to show deep storing space.
This is an excellent gift Tor tne
small weekend country place or an
apartment where it will be so useful
by the fireplace.
Beverages to the Fore
Probably the largest number OF
trick gifts Of this sort cater to the
beverage trade. There IS a. neat
row of three fine old volumes Tor
fathers desk that really are three
storehouses for bottles of beverage
Dolls do a lot of tricks this
Christmas, such as look pretty and
function as boudoir pillows, boudolr
lamps. pin cushions and powder box
tops
There are many clocks in this
list of tricky gifts. One is a new
imported sports watch which tells
the time in hours, minutes and sec
onds. no face showing and the CAD
get appearing bagatelle.
Another is the electric clock Tor
the home, good in any room, winch
tells the time and is calendar TOO
New is the pocket watch that also Is
q billfold, in silver.
Two-Timing the Library
Library oesk equipment has in
Vulnerable two timing gifts, such as
handsome inkstands which include
in the bottom library scissors and
paper knife sets.
Canes for men now have match
lighters in their tops Umbrellas Tor
women can have anything from a
change purse to a whole vanity poX
in their handles.
A new cute one is an individual
umbrella, quite small, which folds
I'D in sections into cute case that
has vanity and mirror in the top
and the whole thing goes into a
weekend bag.
Young folks are particularly well
pleased with trick gifts that really
are disable. Desks that are also
radios and bookcases are wonderful
contributions to their happiness.
Many Gifts for Hostess
Women like the new little sleeve
less chamois vests that are either
worn as blouses or over blouses Tor
a Jacket. Smoke sets that combine
cigarette boxes, lighters and whole
sets of six or a dozen ash trays are
good too.
For hostesses, some of the new
centerpieces that are candelabra,
flower vases or fruit dishes are ex-
cellent, and brand new. Ornamental
figurineS that really are perfume
bottles, powder boxes or cold cream
Jars are welcomed for boudoirs.
Little trick purses that turn out
to be travelling sewing kits, cham
payne bottles that are really con-
tainers for half dozen pairs of
stockings, gorgeous sofa pillows that
contain slumber pillow and night
gown and other such gifts are most
acceptable.