Weekend Chat

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 37, 6 November 1937, Page 12

Weekend Chat

"LOOK' OUT."

"HAltMONY." 4a jk ^

"BIINICB "

COtrgZN 3 t

ROSS,

COUNTRY AND? TOWN.

Dear Everyone,— Now that Christtofes is tiot much more than a month ahead thoughts tum naturally to presents, hornecomings, and holidays, That people shop well ahead is the accepted thing now, This week a smart young eales-girl aaid, «'Gettiug your. Christmas presents?" wheU some handkerchlefs wero bought, "I havo made my list," she said. This wai tiie beginniiig oi' a conversation about getting the rights present ior the riglit person, atid she was 'pOsitive that to inalie the list of friends first i« 1 lu> only happy solution. But the only thing is, the list is apt tO be so long, chat to make it after a good rnaiiy gifts are ( bouglit and noted mentally for special friends is somewhat of a pleas* . aut self-deeeption. What do readera thinld Nowadays when so many luxuries liave evolved into evoryday necessities, it is a sensible idea to biiy gifts that are real pocket savers—--books of postage stamps, ' travel stamps, bags, soap, ties, stockings, furniture, films for cameras, lineu for the hoUsu, books, writing paper, pretty toweis, batliiiig togs, verandali sfcoolsj slippers^ eushions, garden tools and shrubs, umbreilas, iiair shampoo, nice dried fruits that will be a lielp for Christmas parties, cigarettes, games for children — presents in endiess • variety, all money savers and all good for the right person. But yet there are tlioso wno continue to give gay trifles that are jonly attractive, yet- the recipient might be in sad need of sometliing alwdys used. There are people who do not give presents, and tliey are heard to say, "I have no idea wiiat to give." Tkey have no idea beeatise they arc Witnout the idea of giving'. Holidays ^ are a problem these days when tram and steamer fares and hotel bills make a® family- holiday too expensive for narrow incbmes. But there is a great possibility in exchange of homes. This was tried by some Hastings people who wanted a trip to Wellington. Tney exchanged honies With a Wellington family and both were happy. Provided ca.cli family takea" good care of the borrowed home, the exchange plan might really be brought forwartl by welfare societies; and, with a reliable ofiicial to see that tenaiits aro lionest, New Zealanders ^night travel about and fctay in different towns for merely the vost of the fare. If they possesa a ear this is again cheaper. Teachers exchange billets, why not housewivcs? Even in this diistriet the plan might be tried, Napier, people who wish for tho country might exchange their home on the hiil for one on the flats. and those who tire o£ the seaside would eurely iind plenty of friends who would lct thein come into their town home so that picture shows and shopping could be had^ and a chance to see town friends. Let ua do wnat ^rc cah to bring this house exchaiige beforo the minds of those who cannot aiford to pay rents and lodging bills, « • # • Then about hornecomings. lt is always a pleasant surprise if the room that the absentee has left unoccupicd is f arnished up a little. Advertisers are realising that women are jaeke-of-all-trades in New Zealand, for many uclV'ci'tisenients for paint and enamel are shown with women wielding the brush, Maiiy a bedroom has been made ckarming by tlie mother, simply by paintitig over dingy paper with distemper, and paintng the old iron or wooden bed and furniture a gay pale green, or a paStol blue, or the prottiest primrose, Sometimes father will lend a hand, and then the house is soon transformed. With painters earning £1 a day, and a salaried man getting no mare, and often lese, it is a case of utilising the family elbow grease to halance tho budget, .» . • * This letter is in answer to "SpindKft." who sent an excellent letter last week.

JJear Cousin ROse,— -I was ihterested in ' ' Bpindrift 's ' ' letter as I too' have often been struck with the want of observation, generally speaking. It is a Waste, if you have spent sonie of your sparse shillings iu taking a friend a pieturesque drive, and the friend misses the beauty and taiKs politics, or something . devoid Of eharm. Look at your feliow-paseongers iu train it bus, and decide how many have seen the beautiful trees, mass of broom% river, or sea. Some read a cheap magazine all ihe time. On the otter hand it seeffis to me so unImportant as td the number of safety niatches in a box, or how many trees there are in the garden opposite, that I Should not bothet about it. Btft I would observe what trees they arw — paks, birch, pines, totara, oi what?— Yours. etc.,

m w m. Do you heartily sympathise, or dlsagree with this letter following?:— Dear Oousin Eose, — ' ' Whenever I hear ' ' crooning ' ' on the air, I imme.diately turh oif my radio lt would be interesting to know whether many people, if any, really enjoy this socalled music— Youi'8. etc.. ■

w w m Many thanks to the readcr who has tak'eh such troublo to write in ftnswor to the letter asking for hints on auitable dress for elderly people. Porhaps Komeono else cun give fnrther advice, The person Said it was for tliroo friends "not under 60 " ■ Dear Oousin JKose,— "Sore aud Yellow" must lirst look i'or the c.oloui's which sivit tliem besl and then stiek to tlieui. A wardmbe pJaiuicd iu oue main colour witii various ditmgoa and accessories addcj will be found lnost d'.iccessfuJ, ospeeiaJly to those with a liiiiited •di'eaa allowailoc. L'in spots, iine checks, and small Horals are best 111 the printed t'abi'ics, wbile plain materials, trimmed with white, beige, Or bright buttons can be very smart. Taking brown as our foundation colour, I suggest'a brown fioral dreSs, perhapa two, and wear wit& these a plain brown eoat, short •> s

, or .long, acCording to taste of the " WeaVer. ' HfOwn aiid white pin-spot, • or iko check, will make another smart outiit. A dress .trimmed with white, ahd short eoat' of tho same material; or the' plain brown eoat may again be puBhed into service. A plain brown material, cut on simple Jiaes, I would brighten with pinky-red buttons and and buekle. Leinon and orange tones also go with- brown. Choose hat, slioes ahd iiattd-bag to tone. A plain kaiid-bag (could be changed by . clipping on, say(, a pinky-reti dog to go with the plain brown froek, or an initial in white and eilver, for the brown and white ensetable, etc. If brown is not a suitable eolour-schem^. mere will be a large clioice froni the lilues, greehs, black, grey and beige cones. W'iiie colour is very kind to ail ages and colourings, but does not lo.tid itself to maiiy clianges, by adcling Other colours to it. — Yo'urs, t-ic.,

* * * • Thank you all for your contiiiued xntefest in this column. Each week new writers send their ideas. All letters •hould be addressed to;