SUITABLE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 267, 15 December 1914, Page 4

SUITABLE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

As Christmas approaches we find ourselves racking our brains for brilliant inspirations regarding suitable presents for our friends, writes Ida May in the Sydney "Telegraph.'' Several women's journals annually make a practice of devoting a few pages to articles which they describe as being '' cheaply and effectively made at home.'' Some of the illustrations certainly appear attractive, and maybe we congratulate ourselves on this happy solution of the problem. Last Christmas I attempted to manufacture '' a pretty and quaint needle cushion'' for one of my friends. .It looked very simple—which it-, wasn't. And the result 1 ? Certainly a "quaint, very quaint indeed" article (which to-day is reposing sweetly underneath my workbasket), likewise a mental resolve never agaiu to attempt to manufacture homemade gifts which yield a result so very disappointing to , the amateur needlewoman.

There are a great number of people who never use their imagination at Christms time, and as Anne Shirley in "Anne of the Green Gables" w r ould say, "Yuletide presents should give one plenty of scope for imagination.'' The circle with whom we exchange presents is annually the same. Perhaps it is the monotony of the proceeding that makes us careless in our choosing. A few years ago I received five presents from different friends; 'and three of theni gave me handkerchief sachets. Very few girls like these articles. I don't, and I found it rather hard to adequately thank the % third fair giver. However, the majority of us suffer from this want of thought. We don't intend to give useless, articles, but do we ever think of the genuine pleasxire our gift will give? It is the individuality that marks our presents which* proves their worth. We have to use our common 'sense. What is the use of giving a bookworm some of the latest fancy work, or a domesticated girl an inkstand? Just think of the tastes of your friends, and purchase accordingly. The unaffected joyful smile that will greet each gift is well worth the little extra forethought.