The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-12-24
BY LUCIA MALLORY

1T wouldnd't be Christmas at al
| for Marjorie if she didn't receive I
nice wrist watch" declared Mrs. Van
| diver as we stood looking at the dis
ulay in a jewelers. window while we
waited fer bus. We were on our wa!
TO a club meeting nj the home of Il
mutual friend.
Does Marjorie need watch?"
ventured to ask.
ITS the only thing she wants fol
Christmas" her mother replied. shes
been talking watch to her father and
me all fall. | suppose We'll have to get
one for her. We want her to be happy
at Christmas time" My friend sighed
as our bus stopped at the corner and
we turned away from the window.
| knew that she had been looking at
the prices and wondering how she
could fit the punches of 4 watch into
limited budget.
1t was hard for me to keep from
saying, why do you have to get Mar
jore watch? There are dozens of less
expensive gifts that would make Il
twelve-year-old girl happy
Instead of that, | kept silent and
wished Mrs. Nandiver might know how
the matter of Christmas giving is
handled in the home of my friend,
Edith Stcct"n. If any one of her five
children ever asks for a Christmas
present. I've never heard of it, and l
see them all very often.
'Do the children ever tell you what
they want for ChriStmas?" | asked
Edith one day, not long after by con-
versation with Mrs. Nandiver.
NO" she replied, smiling, Though
Bobby always keeps us aware of the
fact that he could use some new gar
dcnng supplies. We ruled out making
suggestions for our Christmas presents
II long time ago, for two reasOnS-we
think it isn't good taste, and it spoils
Il surprise. Other families may have
different ideas, but this is our way l
must have Il quiet talk with Bobby one
of these days and explain this to him.
We think it is better to emphasize Civ
ing than receiving presents at Christ
mas time
YES" / agreed, "the whole idea of
Christmas giving is in commemoration
of a supreme Gift TO the world. But
how do you help children to under
stand that it is better to give than to
receiye?"
Edith looked thoughtful. Mostly by
having each child make or provide
little gifts for brothers and sisters,
she said. "Dot even helped Baby David
color some pictures for the others last
Christmas time. If a child's interest
is ccnlercd on the presents he is giving,
ne is not apt to think so much about
the gifts he wants to receive.
I'VE always prepare Christmas
basket for some family that has been
deprived of the means of providing for
themselves. The children help with
that. Helen made a cake for our baS-
ket last year and Dot made some
candy. Jack and lobby furnished fruit
and vegetables, and my contribution
was some things | had canned.
'Gi course the children enjoy the
presents they receive" Edith conclud-
ed. I'VE have great fun surprising each
other. | think one reason nobody looks
for anything very special is that the
children have Il share in making the
family budget. They know the amount
of their fathers salary and the eX-
pcn$cS it must be made to meet. Theil
father and | do not talk of hard times
or financial stringcncy. We just want
them 10 know what we can and what
W" cannot have, without quibbling OF
| dlSconlrnl. But we always feel very
rich ut Christmas lime, for Christmas
happiness cannot be measured by
money or expensive gifts !"