Evening star., 1946-12-05

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the window, mistletoe hanging In
the living room, a trimmed tree,
however modest, and bright sprays
lof tinsel and ribbon scattered
through the house or apartment2
! During the war, and even last
wear, most people had to dig out
whatever old ornaments they could
salvage. This year, Yule decora-
tions are back in earnest. Great
red and green globes for the trees
are on sale. So are reams OF imltap
ton snow, little stars and figures
| for the tree or the window.
Tree Lights Scarce.
Those pignly electric light sys-
TENS for the tree are. another mat
| ter. They're still scarce, just as
plain, adult light bulbs are none to
plentiful. The coal administrators
has approved the lighting of house,
hold trees, forbidding the illumina-
ton of huge ones in stores and pub
lie places, in view of the coal strike.
Even~ so, you may have trouble
equipping your trees with lighting,
| if you haven't set OF little bulbS
stuck away in the closet.
But the other ornaments will be
plentiful enough to. give your home
a festive air.
/ And despite the paper shortage
there's reasonable supply OF gay
colored paper, some enbellished
with figures of Santa Claus and fir
trees and winter Landscapes. to
wrap your packages.
Cards Appear Plentiful.
The stores also have little stickers
to add charm to those carefully
wrought bundles of cheer. Bright
boxes to put them in are not too
plentiful. Neither is plain wrap
ping paper But there's twine in
various colors and the sort of rib
bon that made the Dickens char
acter, Mrs. Cratchet, so brave de-
spite her plain, patched dress.
But what of Christmas cards?
Has the paper shortage hit them,
too?
Not noticeably. The department
stores and shops that specialize in
greeting cards seem to have plenty.
There may not be quite the variety
there was back in the distant 30s.
But there still are all sorts-scenic,
religious, family, inspirational.
comic. And the prices, unlike most
other items. apparently are no
higher.
you'll find attractive cards at
a nickel. Others are a dime or a
quarter, and others, more ambitious
in design or size, are so cents or
higher. There are boxes OF special
assortments for those who want
them. The poetry is no better and
no worse than usual. The pictures
and designs are as pretty.
Trees Going on Sale.
Christmas trees are beginning to-
go on sale. They should be plentiful
say those who have dealt in them
other years.
Certain gifts suitable for men or
women are back in better supply
this season. Fountain pens are in
this category. They were scarce
during the war. This year they are
in ample quantity for the first time
since 1941. Watches for men and
women are more plentiful and in
greater variety.
Some articles of interest to the
whole family are beginning to ap-
pear for the first time in this
troubled postwar period. Radios are
on sale, not in unlimited number
and size, but enough to supply at
least some of the demand. More
will be coming along.
Some new types of radios still are
demonstrated and orders placed for
later delivery. But a good many |
others can be taken away by the
customers.
Record Players Available.
Record players are on sale for
the first time in years. A good many
were spotted in speciality shops and
larger stores. Some combination
record players and radios also are
available.
Such electric appliances as perco-
lators waffle irons and toaSterS are