BEAT HIM WHEN HE SNEEZES Sta,—For some years I have
been concerned at the wasteful and harmful habit of giving children a profusion of expensive presents on every possible occasion, but especially, of . course, at Christmas.
It is part of that growth of sentimentality about children which is no part of real love —sentimentality which profiteers in children's clothes as well as toys know how to exploit.
Small children, especially, are bewildered by many gifts and elaborate and costly realism is wasted on them. A strong box on wheels which may be any kind of conveyance from a pram to a Rolls-Royce is of far more value to them than the limited realistic racing car. The imagination is simply stultified by half the children's toys on the market today. Moreover, too many and too easily come-by toys encourage destructiveness. A small boy of 34 last Christmas was given a whole very expensive train set, complete with station, signajs,, points, etc. They were broken and lost in no time, whereas my. boy 'and his friends between the ages of • 9 and 15 spent joyful years acquiring, making and playing with such a set, piece by piece.
Parisian shops last Christmas advertised: " Nothing is too good for the little Prince," but many things are too good for the little prince who has not been taught to value or care for his possessions.
I also wish to protest against the dreadful habit of giving presents in addition to balloons, sweets and expensive crackers at every child- ren's party. It is quite common to hear children say, " I wonder what we shall get at this party," or to expect prizes for ordinary games such as " Blind Man's Buff."
the result is less joy not more, and the sooner this is realised the better.—Yours faithfully,
KATHARINE MOORE
Hill House, Seal Hollow Road, Sevenoaks, Kent
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