Packed With Christmas Thrills

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20986, 13 December 1939, Page 3

Packed With Christmas Thrills

Let me remind you that cosmetics and perfumes are and always have been in the front rank of presents at this season. Pleasing both the Colonel’s lady and Judy O’Grady, the luxuries that take bathing out of the routine class and make it a pleasure —bath salts, bath powder, fine soap, water softener—are a, joyful find under any Christmas tree. A beautiful compact and lipstick, a set of eye make-up, or a box of fine powder is as appropriate for the girl who has everything as it is for the business girl whose weekly budget is always strained to the bursting point. If you know a woman who likes an expensive face cream but has a guilty feeling every time she buys it, send her a great jar of it that will last her half the year. Or send her a set of creams —it is so inspiring to start with a complete treatment. Manicure sets are particularly nice this year. I have seen them in hand travel cases, in simulated leather cases shaped like purses, and in little colourful boxes for the dressing-table. One of these is a good answer to what to give a fastidious friend. Try to Give Original Presents I know you have all been racking your brains for present ideas that are different. Well, here’s a really new idea. Instead of sending the usual Christmas card or handkerchief, why not send a little phial of really expensive perfume? Yes—expensive, but not dear!

Bath salts and bath oils can be obtained now in many delightful scents. These are luxuries that one seldom buys for oneself and therefore make an extra specially welcome gift. 'Mother will be delightfully impressed with your gift of a complete set of preparations for the care of her complexion. Along with this will go some simple exercises for the face and throat and soon the improvement in her appearance will lead her on to use lotions for her work-worn hands and household gloves to maintain their beauty. A course of manicures at the local hairdresser is another gift in this connection. A favourite aunt will welcome a cheerful red and green package with holly decoration containing cakes of green French castile soap, good for face and bath, talc, face powder and toilet-water. This thoughtful gift will remind the recipient most frequently and fragrantly of the donor. To slip into the stocking of your athletic sister is a special facepowder containing a protective oliveoil ingredient against skin-dryness. Wrap it gaily and enjoy her surprise. Gifts for Grandparents What grandfather needs is a little physical support—walking-stick with a non-slip rubber ferrule and his initials handsomely engraved on the silver band near the top. Now, grandmother is sick of knitted comforters and such like. Give her something really personal and pretty instead, a

pot of dainty flowers, a beautifully bound and gaily illustrated book of travels, or of verse. Your girl friend will adore you for a gay red Christmas cracker which only needs pulling to reveal the latest thing in lipsticks. Your brother will welcome a package of deodorant when marked “Open in solitude” and will heed the note inside telling him it’s not sissy to use it especially before a dance. This opens a long array of preparations suited to a man’s toilet, so that you are not reduced to offering him a shaving set! Gift toilet articles for men should be either very amusing or very swank. If he is just beginning to shave and unbearably important about it, give him a gigantic decanter of shaving lotion. A soap ball will hang on manly bosoms in the morning shower. It prevents soap-slipping casualties and raises bursts of song. They’re a pile of fun, made of triple milled castille soap, top quality. Unscented. Jewellery is a charming and useful present this season. With the off-the-ear hairdress, earrings are again prominent and lucky is the girl who finds a beautiful pair in her Christmas stocking. Necklaces, too. Stones of various colours shine on the new afternoon and evening bags, amethyst, topaz, garnet, emerald, just one colour on each. Hankies and bows on the hat are of the same colour. An antique gold choker with bracelet to match. Colour is your guide this festive season. —LOIS ARDWYN.