PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS

Evening Post, Issue 149, 20 December 1935, Page 14

PRESENTS FOR CHRISTMAS

' /7 HRISTMAS shopping-has never been a less \J easy matter than it is today, when practically w ..ff ry shop displays a range of gifts from which to make a selection. x linens are always appreciated. When of good quality they give enduring wear, and they make a very attractive gift. Fashion has much to say on behalf of beautiful white damask and linen, but colours attract at Christmas time and a favourite gift this year takes the form of coloured linen sets consisting of sheets and pillowslips. These are procurable in .all, the latest tones of green, rose, blue, lavender, and gold. For smaller, gifts table linen offers a wide field of choice. A nice idea is the breakfast set of monng tea-cosy, egg-cosy, traycloth, and table napkin m cheerful colours of saxe, green, gold or orange. The linen afternoon-tea cloth, with napkins to match, is also, a pretty and practical gift Towels are a comparatively new idea in Christmas presents. Smartly boxed, they can wear quite a festive air, and modern housewives devote much attention to bathroom colour schemes. The boxed guestHowel and matching facecloth is a noteworthy idea. . . " .. China and pottery carefully selected to suit individual tastes and requirements, make delightful presents. Apart from ornaments, there are the utilitarian articles such as the early morning teaset and the breakfast-in-bed set, which can be obtained in charming reproductions from the past, or striking modernist patterns. The informal supper party vogue has been responsible for a wide choice of gifts in the way of china trays and plates. Hors d'oevre sets for luncheon, decorative casseroles, and souffle sets, and attractive little dishes also in sets, for the various delectable items of food served with the cocktails, are out-of-the-ordin-ary gifts.

Before asylums were established In Scotland, the half-wits, or "nait'rals," as they were called were allowed to wander freely all over the district. Many of them were not nearly so stupid as they appeared, or as they themselves made out and many stories are told of their astuteness. The lairds took a kindly interest in their own village "nait'rals," and the rule was always to give them a penny on meeting. One day the Laird o' Drumock fell in with "Daft Jamie," and, after passing the time of day with him, put his hand carelessly in his pocket and passed what he took to be the regulation copper But too late he saw that it was a two-shillinw piece. "Here, Jamie," he promptly remarked "I find that that's a bad florin I've gi'en ye. Let me have it back and I'll give you your penny!" "Na, na, Laird," chuckled the daft one; "I'll put it safely oot o' sicht masel; it would never da for a man in your worship's position to be catched by the police passin' bad sillerl"