CHRISTMASTIDE IN THE SHOPS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 826, 30 December 1887, Page 1

CHRISTMASTIDE IN THE SHOPS.

In all Christian countries, no matter what part of the world they may geographically be situated in, it has been a matter of custom for long ages past for the trading community to make some attempt at decorating the exhibition of their wares at Christmas time. True, the vivacious Gaul does not pay so much attention in this respect to the

“Noel” as they do to “Ie jour de l’au,” and perhaps the swarthy Spaniard is fonder of display at his Easter ffite than he is of this time of the year. Yet, notwithstanding this, even in aunny France and 'yinouß Spain the Christmastide is marked in many of the shops by extra attention being paid to the “dressing” of the windows, and the artistic arrangement of the many wares within The “window dressing” is carried out on an elaborate seals in the Old Country, and rival tradesmen vie for supremacy in their decorative art. To some extent this love of display has been accepted as a; custom in the colonies, but in Wellington only to a limited extent. The holly, ivy, and mistletoe, and the long waving festoons ' of fancy flimsy paper, with multi-colored tapers and gaudy artificial flowers, once thought “de riguenr” by the grocer, the baker, and the candlestick-maker, have happily given way, in Wellington at least,, to a more solid, substantial show of sterling metal. A stroll through the streets

and a peep at the windows gave evidence of the intense practicalness of our storekeepers. Every window in ' every trade had been “dressed” specially for Christmas with all the latest novelties in the trade, arranged so as to fascinate the eye of the would be purchaser, by position, price, or practice. As an Englishman’s principal thought is the wherewithal he shall supply the mainsprings oE a typical Christmas dinner, in the purveyors of animal food “ the fleshers” of our city, are about the only tradespeople who make a decided and special Bhow. This yeartbedisplay of meat; wasacredit to the town and the Colony. Such gigantic sides of beef—rich, rare, and rosy—telling' of good strains and fattening pastures, while the broad-

backed sheep witu extended ribs foretel of many a juicy chop and toothsome cutlet. The Gear Meat Company had a grand display at their principal shop on LambtonS. A trio of bullocks’ heads, dressed and ■ated in a niost artistic manner, speak well for the patience and.ski!l of the designer and operator, Mr Alex. Forsyth. The Happy Valley Meat Company had at their depdt the remains of a magnificent prize ox, the meat close in the grain, waxy and firm, and tempting enough for the most confirmed dyspeptic. Mr Cate had also a very fine show of excellent meat at his Foresters' Butchery. Mr Evans, butcher, of Tinakori Road, dressed his shop-with his usual good taste. . Beef and mutton were particularly fine, and a Romney marsh sheep 4 w#s a wonder in its way. The grocers made a rare show of the new dried fruit—the valencias, elemes, sultarras, t muscatels and currants, galore “dressed” with cunning devices in. nutmegs and spices, and fancy cartoons in a heap. The drapers put more energy into the window show this year than usual. The fine weather they know willtemptgreatcrowdsto visitthestreets and perchance the choicely-arranged novelties will draw sundry stray coins from the pockets of passers-by.

All the world and his wife were out in the streetaon Chrssrmas Eve, and the gaiety of the shops and the troup of well-dressed, contented looking citizens formed a picture that no’town in the Old Country could find a copy.' .. . ■ ; . ..-r.