The Wilmington morning star., 1946-12-25
Christmas In
Europe Happy
Thousands Will Seek Solace
Oh Cathedrals To Re-
new Their Faith
BY RICHARD T OMPKINs

~ NASAAF1hD L
LONDON, Dec. 24.-P-Christ.
mas in Europe's first full year Of
peace promises a gay but brief
and expensive interlude on the
long road back from war.
IN the victorious nations there
Will be comparative plenty - for
those who can afford it. In
Sweden. Switzerland, Spain and
Fire. untouched by invasion. cele-
bratlons will be in the best pre-
war fashion. In GERMANY and in
the defeated and FESTIVE satellite
countries there Will be cold
hearth, hunger and an almost gift
less Christmas.
But throughout Europe thou.
sands, whether blessed with luxu-
rles Or stretching out hands for
bread, will seek the solace of ca
thedrals n d churches to renew
their faith that there shall be ION
earth peace, good will toward
men,"
In the continental cities-where
black markets flourish-there are
luxuries galore at fantastic prices.
Food delicacies are abundant and
turkey and champagne can be had
for a price. In England supplies
are controlled.
The unshapely toys Of wartime
have given place to those of bet
ter quality. Girls will have dolls
that "go to sleep" and boys will
have model jet planes. You can
find almost any toy in Sweden ex-
cept a German tin soldier.
Despite electricity ratioaing and
a shortage Of coal, the French
again are gay and a festival air
prevades the boulevards Of Paris.
Store windows are stuffed with
gifts silken underwear, scarves,
jewels. perfumes and plenty Of
toys. But prices are exhorbitant
and many children won't even get
a modest teddy bear.
Food shops display appealing
delicacies at luxury prices. Those
who want a turkey will have to
pay up to $50 for a bird. Wines
r high and bubbliag champagne
is only for the wealthy.
Christmas treez are plentiful but
costly in Partisan markets. Night
clubs a n d restaurants will have
special holiday shows but it will
cost a small fortune to sit down.
Many Parisians plan to spend
Christmas in the mountains, trav-
cling in special trains provided by
the National Society of French
railways.
Italy presents the strange spec.
tacle of luxury stores bursting
with goods while the masses of
her people are begging for crusts
of bread as prices continue to rise
and the lire continues to drop.
Most Italians can only press their
noses against the shop windows
where turkey, ham and geese
hang-but high.
In Rome's via Condotti - Fifth
avenue of the Eternal city-luxury
shops display the greatest array
of feathers. lace, china. silverware
and toys since before the war. But
most of the toys are leftovers-
those that remained unsold a year
ago.
Children hoping that the Befana
the good fairy Santa Claus
will come happily-laden on Jan. 6
the day of gifts in Italy, prob
ably will find her as empty hand
ed for most al she has been the
last six years:
St. Nicholas In Holland
In Holland, when it comes to
gifts, it is not Santa Claus but
St. Nicholas, the patron saint OF
the children. who sneaks in on a
steamer from Spain with his foot
man, Black Peter. and loads Of
presents on St. Nicholas eve.
Rationing is still severe in the
Netherlands and the prewar plen-
ty of sugar hearts. chocolate fig
ures. gingerbread. marzepain ana
other St. Nicholas and Christina.
delicacies has not yet returned.
Turkey and geese are very
scarce at about 81 a pound. Toya
are expensive and indifferentlJ
made. Books have come to the
market again. Perfumes r no
expensive but scarce.
Despite food shortages. Germa.
children will have a merrie3
Christmas than last year. There
are more toys, especially dollr
and Christmas trees have come
from the Russian zone. Berlin'(
traditional Weihna chtsmarkt -
c%hildren's fair-will be held again
American Army occupation per-
sonnet have arranged parties fol
German children with soldierl
contributing candy and other arti
cles from their rations. For the
first time since the war, Ameri.
al still join with Germans in
choral singing and worship.
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