CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26616, 12 November 1947, Page 4

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

WIDER RANGE FOR SELECTION SHOPS WELL STOCKED Christmas shopping this year will be similar to that of last year. Inquiries made by the Daily Times indicate, however, that there will be a much improved selection and better stocks. For the lower priced gifts, the range, although not quite as large as last year, is still good, and there should be no difficulty in selecting Christmas gifts. Toys will be among the most interesting displays, most firms having secured a limited number of mechanical toys. Trains of the Hornby type, which have not been seen for a long time, should prove popular, and a novelty which was a feature before the war and has made a re-appearance is the “ pop-pop ” boat. For the girls there are sprung prams and sleeping and “mama” dolls. ' Bon-bons, which have been off the market since the days before the war, will again be featured in Christmas displays, but sweets will not be so plentiful owing to increased costs of cocoa, butter, and the shortage of glucose. Christmas stockings will again be popular. There are wide selections of Christmas cards and Christmas packs. , In the men’s section there will be a large selection of general novelties, comprising toilet gift sets, ties, and boxed handkerchiefs, but the tale of the shirt remains the same —shirts are almost unprocurable, and the small allocations made to each store are quickly .sold.

Gifts for Women

For the first time for many years the women will be able to have stockings as a Christmas box, as hosiery coupons have been abolished. This will save the headaches most men have in choosing a Christmas gift. Some attractive toilet sets have made their appearance, as well as new varieties of French perfumes, which are available for the first time in quantity for a long period. Handkerchiefs are even better in quality than last year’s, and among these are shown Swiss organdies, as well as the more colourful brilliant handkerchief styles. If an outstanding present is desired, advantage may be taken of the arrival of some shipments recently of genuine E.P.S, ware from, England, which certainly makes a gift of really worthwhile quality. From the china sections, there may be chosen useful crystal vases, bowls and the usual water sets, as well as novelty pieces of exquisite workmanship. English pottery has made its reappearance after an absence of many years, and good aluminium and enamelware are available in larger quantities this year. Last year amazing numbers of presents were chosen from feminine t apparel, and sun suits and dainty lingerie are again available in types and styles that will please even the most fastidious tastes.

Gifts of clothing for boys and girls will be procurable in well-presented Christmas wrappings, but these will not be so plentiful in supply owing to the general scarcity of' children's clothing. Good Supply of Books

Those who desire to give books for Christmas gifts will have an easy task in fulfilling their wants. There is a good assortment of fiction available, most of the books being popular authors, such as Margery Sharp, Naomi Jacobs, Philip Gibbs and Warwick Deeping. Good stocks of general literature are on hand, and books on travel and biography are always particularly acceptable as gifts. Children’s annuals are in good supply, but the reward type of book for children’s prizes, although more plentiful than for some years past, are more highly priced than used to be the case, because of the increased production costs.