Imaginative Presents For The “Difficult”

Press, Volume C, Issue 29671, 15 November 1961, Page 2

Imaginative Presents For The “Difficult”

Does a sort of haze come over your mind at the thought of birthday or Christmas presents? Do you have wild ideas about a bus for Aunt Matilda, or a real live elephant for little Johnnie? Mr Andrew Mac Lean, a Canadian newspaper publisher, gave his wife a 120-ton steam locomotive last birthday.

But it is'not quite as crazy as it sounds The;- are both interested in railway folklore, and plan to use the engine to start a railway museum in the district. The moral of the story is that with a little time and imagination acceptable presents can be found even for those difficult people who appear to have everything. One young woman had an annual bother —finding presents for her two very wealthy grandmothers. She often spent a large slice of her wages on expensive talcum pewder for them, but knew that it would usually go into their shoes. Then one year she bought some remnants of gingham, and made them each a frilly apron to wear in the kitchen. The grandmothers were delighted.

Thought Taken The thought and work behind a hand-made article often make it more precious than the most expensive gift Oven - cloths made from sugar-bags and scraps of bright cotton are a favourite gift from junior seamstresses. Duster-bags and peg-bags are other useful products of the same material. Lavender dried in the sun and filled into dainty organdie bags may bring senti-

mental memories to an aunt or grandmother. The hobbies of the recipients might provide scope for present giving. One young couple had an uncle who was devoted to vintage cars. They found a long wooden frame and a length of polished chintz patterned with his favourite models. They put them together, and the result was a quaint tapestry to hang on his wall. For a young girl at the horse-loving or ballet-crazy phase a suitable picture is usually pleasing. Favourite T-ands Care must be taken in catering for some interests. Cosmetics are an uncertain gift for a beauty-conscious woman. She probably has very definite ideas on the brand she favours, and will probably have a good supply of her particular favourite. Collectors are usually fairly safe. A book-lover cannot have too many books, nor a china cat collector too many china cats. Perhaps it would be possible to begin a collection of extraordinary objects for someone obviously in need of a collection. Some people use method in their present buying. One woman has a different set of presents each year. One

year she will sew them all, another year she win knit Perhaps the next year she will buy suitable books. Instinctive Method Most people set out with some idea of what they want. But the instinctive method works well with those so gifted. Briefly, it is this: you wander around town with eyes staring vacantly, until some object in a shop window intrudes itself into your line of vision. You buy it. When you get home, you discover what it is. No matter how apparently unsuitable. you wrap it up and give it. On one occasion an autumn birthday half a dozen daffodil bulbs appeared in this way. They were fleshy and grubby to look at. and a new sight for the fastidious young woman, who was not at all interested in gardening. However. she decided to plant them, and now, many years later, they still have pride of place in her beautifully-kept garden.