AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 22 (Supplement)

AUNT HILDA’S LETTER.

OUR CHRISTMAS DISPLAY. Starlets From Six Provinces Combine. J)EAR STARLETS,— Easily the best display of thrift ideas and work has been pooled by the Starlets of no less than six provinces to swell our well-known Christmas activities, and I am happy to tell you this is the greatest achievement Starlets yet have done. There are boxes more left unpacked in the office, but Beath and Co. have kindly granted us the use of their Colombo Street window for display purpose? next week, and the display is expected to be ready on Thursday next. Well does Aunt Hilda realise how children love their cuddly toys, those dear intimate friends that are taken to bed each night, told about all the misdeeds of the rest of the family and that never divulge a word of the confidences poured into their friendly ears! We have selected cuddly toys and clothes chiefly this year as the most practical mediums of expressing our share in helping, and there are many scores of beautifully executed calendars as well to mark the joyful occasion. How we wish those far-away Starlets could see the result of their loving labour, or, better still, see the joy they bring to their small recipients. Little money has been spent this year, for we had little to spend. We spent it on your parties much more freely than usual; you remember the toys and Punch and Judy show and other attractions we had for you? Local Starlets, of course. And all down the Coast we left a trail of happiness, all down the Coast from Westport to Ross. Ha! Ha! Yes I remember. Now will each of you who possibly can take everyone you can to see the result of loving labour for us all? We also must register our debt to the generous firm which has allowed us to show your work once again. Wait till you see the gollies! Such quaint people with the queerest expressions. Some look startled, some look happy, some curious, one or two almost grumpy, though what about I cannot tell. So now, Starlets, it is once again one of my happiest tasks to thank you* all for your unselfish work and to tell you NOT to miss this great display of toys we know children love and value far more than expensive bought articles. Many of my grown-up readers have cuddled an old black Sue in bed at night or carried a willing Sambo round the whole of childhood days. And we prove once again how simple and easy it is to get over a hard time, for all the golliwogs are made from old stockings (one of yours may be there), and they are all dressed in clippings and patches from Starlets’ frocks and Aunt Hilda’s overalls! Ha! Ha! Bits of fur and odd shirt buttons all helped, too. A great achievement, my dears—a really great achievement; in fact, the greatest yet! I wonder if Santa will drop a golliwog my way? Mr Joke-Box says he’d rather have some nuts; he could eat the nuts and give the shells away! (For firewood, I expect!) Many happiness thoughts to you all and a loud and a long bravo! P S.—lncluded in the collection are articles sent by Wellington, Canterbury, Otago, Nelson, Buffer and Westland provinces, and almost every part of Canterbur3 T , Westland and Buffer are represented, the remotest places sending in their quota.—A.H.