CHRISTMAS WEEK.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2380, 22 December 1908, Page 4

CHRISTMAS WEEK.

AROUND THE SHOTS

Should one believe that Father Christmas is Only -an imaginary personage, conjured up to transform naughty little boys and girls into good children, it is only necessary to take a walk around the shops of Gisborne to dispel the idea. It will be seen that the elderly gentleman from the polar regions is as real as ever, and that this year he has brought with him an array of novelties that will delight the hearts of children, old and young. Father Christmas is a most unsellish visitor, and distributes the load of his chariot —perhaps ho uses a motor car or a flying machine in these scientific days—to all the shops witli great liberality. No establishment has been passed by, and the ingenuity, good taste, and thoughtfulness of the people of the wonderful region where he dwells have “at least equalled those of any previous years. Father Christmas is the particular friend of children. Has he not always been their friend ? and this year he has not neglected the young ones. The toy bazaars and shops are crowded with good things of all kinds, i There are dolls galore, talking dolls, laughing dolls, crying dolls, dolls thiat go to sleep and wake up again and move their arms, dolls made of rubber. celluloid, china, and wax., dolls with unbreakable steel heads; in short dolls in such variety as to be sure to delight the most fastidious child. Father Christmas has also brought a wonderful selection of mechanical toys—flying machines, motor boats, motor cars, tops, electric lamps, steam engines and locomotives, besides bicycles, rocking horses, and many other wonderful things. He has been especially thoughtful of the children, and the shops are crammed full as the result of his annual visit. Nevertheless, he has not neglected the grown-ups; ho has .chosen some very acceptable things for bis Gisbonie friends, and the shops are busy displaying them. One shop lias its ‘windows dressed out daintily with gentlemen’s "and ladies’ presents respectively. In the first window there is a ••vide array or silk handkerchiefs, ties, silk shirts, dainty lancy socks, braces, belts, summer waistcoats, straw and panama hats, studs, links, smoking jackets, and many other useful things. Ladies are liberally catered for in the other window, where there is an attractive array of purses, handbags, handkerchiefs in boxes, glove boxes, lace ties and collars, perfumes, photo frames, jewel boxes, hat pins, gloves, and the many etceteras that are indispensable on the toilet table. At another draper's shop the windows are dressed out with dainty sunshades in all shades of color, silk, lace, plain, ruffled., with handles surmounted with birds’ heads that are exactly similar to those Father Christinas left with the leading shops in London and Paris. In another window in the same shop he has deposited no scanty choice of band bags, purses, travelling bags, chatelaines, collar and cuff boxes, and many other pretty and useful articles. During his ramble our benevolent friend paid a long visit to a store, where he left something entirely new in “Patina” metal gooas. There are horses, dogs, cats. clocks, flower stands, vases and an almost- endless variety of ornaments. There are also electro-plated teapots, sugar basins, cruets, handsome lamps, boxes of fancy soaps and periumes, blouse lengths in the finest silks..ladies’ belts, Maltese lace ties, travelling outfits, manicure sets, and a whole snoplul of attractive odds and ends.

At one shop which specially looks after the wants of the sterner sex. Father Christmas came forward with some welcome goods. Silk ties in abundance, silk handkerchiefs in hundreds., studs, links, boxes of linen collars, silk tennis shirts, always welcome in summer, leather belts, braces, match boxes, military brushes, canvas shoes with rubber soles for picnicking days, hat brushes, shaving mirrors, and many another thing that the heart of man can desire.

It- has never been discovered if Father Christmas smokes himself, but if he does not he always brings with him a lot of wonderful things for those who do. and those on the lookout for presents for smokers can safely inspect the wares of the tobacconists. Thoir establishments are full of boxes of choice cigars and cigarettes, cases of razors, inducing Gillette safety razors, cigarette cases and holders, cases of pipes, silver and goldmounted pipes, mateli boxes and holders, smokers’ companions, ticket* purses—a London novelty—travelling bags, dressing cases, tennis racquets, bats, and all kinds of sporting goods. The jewellers have been stocked out with gold broodies, bangles, watches, links, studs, silver and E.P. butter and jam dishes, walking sticks, shaving sots, flower vases, and a seemingI.Y endless variety of greenstone goods. The chemists are showing well-dress-ed windows of fanev soaps, perfumes, scent sprays, brushes of all kinds, sponges and a full range of daintv novelties.

Jho lolly shorn have been supplied, with lucky stockings, boxes of cliocolates and crystallised fruits, fancy Jolly designs of all kinds, while the bakers windows are full of the rich cakes that are always to be obtained fen Christmas, besides an appetising ' ariety of the pastry which * enters largely into the bill of fare for tho season.