HINTS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS

Evening Star, Issue 20982, 22 December 1931, Page 3

HINTS FOR CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS

[By Maugauex Pjiyce,]

Christmas shopping can ho a delight or a tiresome task, and generally what it is dope nds on tlie way one sets about it. Last-minute shopping, when one dashes about from shop to shop, in a harassed rush to buy those Christmas presents and household necessities that one has forgotten, is a very unsatisfactory affair. The leisurely shopping of the woman who has made her plans well in advance, and seizes the opportunity of securing what she wants before the shops aro crowded and the assistants tired out, can bo a real pleasure. There arc few women, however, who do not get a thrill oir of Christmas shopping and there are many who look forward to seeing the shops decked in their Christmas array. Every year the shops seem to become more attractive and alluring, and the difficulty lies not so much in finding something to buy, but in keeping oneself from buying more than ono needs. Before setting out on a Christmas shopping expedition, it is well to study advertisements and catalogues, and have a preliminary shop-gazing, in order to compare prices, and discover novelties, etc., suitable for one’s friends. It is often so difficult to make up one’s mind, and choose just the gift that is exactly right. It helps if one has kept one’s eyes and ears open in the weeks preceding Christmas and made a mental note of any wishes ono has heard expressed, or of any deficiencies that one felt one could supply. It is never too early to buy Christmas presents, and often little.

but it is tremendously important that all gifts should be well chosen, and should be just suitable for the persons for at bazaars and sales of work, as well as in the shops, one may see several weeks before Christmas articles that would make ideal gifts for our relations and friends. The personal touch in present-giving is most important. Women, nowadays, are skilled in so many handicrafts that often they can make the greater part of their gifts. Jf you are making some of your gifts at home this year, see that you buy the necessary materials in good time, so that you are not held up at the last minute, and have to rush out to the shops for hurried purchases. Sets of home-made lingerie, dainty bags and boudoir caps, hand-knitted socks, pull-overs and cardigans, bed jackets and baby’s hoots, boxes of homemade sweets, hand-tooled leather blotters and hags, and raffia-embroidered pochettes and tea cosies are only a few of tbo delightful gifts that can be made at homo. When planning your Christmas shopping decide to buy your household requirements and personal gifts at different times. ' It is almost impossible to combine both on the same shopping expedition without becoming very tired ! and worried. There are, of course, many necessities for the Christmas dinj nor that cannot bo bought long in advance. But, on the other hand, there are many provisions that do not suffer if bought a few weeks before they are required. Currants, sultanas, raisins, candied peel, sugar, spices, nuts, ground almonds, flour, and many other of the ingredients that go to the making of Christmas cakes and puddings and mince-meat, can he stored perfectly in air-tight tins. Another advantage of shopping early is that one is sure of buying fresh goods. It is advisable to overhaul the larder and grocery cupboard before going a-marketing, and make a complete list of everything that is required. There are many little extras that are wanted at Christmas

; time, and if one does not make a list I of them they are apt to be forgotten. > Crackers, decorations for cakes, and a i plentiful supply of tinned goods and • other food that will keep, .and that : may be needed if unexpected visitors > arrive, should be included, in one’s purchases. When buying crackers for chil- ; dreu, remember that those which con- , tain paper caps are much safer than ; those filled with small toys and imita- : ; tion jewels which may be swallowed by > tiny boys and girls. Anything highly ini' flammable should also be avoided. One i cannot bo too careful when children i are concerned; therefore the use of i much cotton wool in Christmas decorations should be guarded against. When shopping, don’t neglect your ■ meals. Have a substantial, unhurried ■ breakfast. Start your shopping early in ■ the day, if possible, and do not forget • to have lunch and tea, and make a ■ point of resting a few minutes after ’ each meal. Do not shop during the rush hours, if you can avoid them, and lunch early to escape the people who ■ must lunch between 1 and 2 o’clock. Don’t wear valuable jewellery when shopping, or shoes that tire the feet, or furs that slip. Carry a good-sized ’ handbag containing a card bearing 1 your name and address and take, as well, a basket or bag to hold small par- | cels. Don’t leave your shopping list at | home, and see that you have a pencil , with a good point, to cross out the , items on your list as you buy_ them. Don’t carry all your money in one purse. A supply of coppers and small | change in a capacious purse is useful, 1 and so is a note-case to hold notes. It is advisable to take account of the amount of money with which one starts i shopping operations, and check that ■ which is left with the receipts at the , end of the day. Whether one is buying goods for , Christmas cookery, frocks for parties, or i gifts, one should bear in mind that it is one’s duty to choose home-pro- ! duced r . and Empire goods in preference

to those from foreign countries. The Enw pire provides food in plenty for all our, requirements at Christmas-time, and. it is, therefore, unnecessary to buy foreign produce. If you are selecting a turkey for the Christmas dinner, remember that a’ turkey should hang for a few days before it is prepared for the table. The; legs should be smooth and black, the feet moist and supple, the head red,, and the eyes bright. The hen bird is usually more fleshy and tender than the cock, but is smaller, averaging about a dozen pounds in weight, so that if a largo turkey is required, a cock bird must be chosen. English . and Irish birds are best. When buying the children’s Christ«i mas tree, see that it is properly with side branches well developed. The central stem should be strong enough t<> hold a fairy doll of Father Christmas.. If the terminal stem is not long or, strong enough a firm piece of stick’ should be painted green and wired toi the stem to give it extra strength.. Trees without roots will keep in good condition for some time if they are kept in water until just before they are decorated. They will look fresher if they are potted in moist soil. If you have a garden it is worth while to pay a little more for a tree with roots, as they last for years if planted after the Christmas festivities. Lastly, see that you have in hand plenty of strong brown paper, cardboard boxes, packing paper, tissue paper, string, and labels, ready for the time when you pack your Christmas presents.