Christmas Presents

IT requires a considerable amount of courage for most of us to face the jostling -crowds of ruthless ta.rgain-hunters and- perhaps• worse-the inevitability of Making :rapid. decisions entailed in our Christmas shopping. At all times shopping is an irksome business, but at this season it is for Most of us

something of a nightmare. The goods shown in shop windows should actns a shopping guide, but at Christmas-time so many articles are displayed with complete - incongruity_ and so inartistically that it is surprising anybody bitys anything.

Every imaginable article, from a. pound of suet to an ice- machine, is apparently considered a seasonable gift. These

notes are not intended to assist the bargain-hunter-he has the talons and eyes of an eagle-but to suggest a few Christmas presents which the more timid shopper may care to' give, par- ticularly presents for men.

It is always difficult to think of amusing and acceptable gifts for men, because they are conservative in their tastes and Only_ slightly influenced by fashion. But such scarves and swelters (suitable for winter sports) in soft, light; handwoven silks and wools as are to be seen at Messrs. Lewin's in the Haymarket suggest -a pleasant breakaway from the usual box of cigars or pipe-which the receiver, incidentally, never smokes. There are also " gossanatex " shirts, fine enough for tropical wear which will stand the rather harsh treatment of dhobis and will be-appreciated by friends overseas._ Jumpers for golf are always acceptable, and no very accurate measure- ments are necessary in buying them. Their bird-like colours help -to relieve •the sombre greyness of customary masculine attire. Cuff-links of lapis lazuli or chryso- prase from the sparkling jewel shops of Bond Street, or blue check pattern links. from...Woolworth's will also adda welcome note of colour.

The newest-fountain-pen :-a-neees'sify iifth-eie days-is the Waterman Ripple Rubber Pen, which has an inlaid coloured

band denoting what type of nib the pen has been fitted with near the end of the cap. Another present which should please many is a Globe-Wernicke " Elastic " BOokcase, with a glass front to protect the books. One shelf can be bought at a time and is complete in itself.

Wireless applianees, will no doubt play a large part in this :year's 'Christinas gifts. What more romantic present could

there .he than the magician-bestowed power of being able to

.hea.r the tzigaites of Central Europe or the, plaintive strains of Carmen,.singing under a;_,Spatiish moon ? The Igranic Neutro- -sonic -' Giant Stride ":radio receiver_ has realiied this dream.

Another excellent portable :radio receiver . which can be tuned in to thirty European stations. is the ":Selector Super." For those who like to give luxury rathertbanmseful presents, there are some delightful Old shiPPrints in the curiosity shops in King's Road, Chelsea. Other charming presents are

little menu-holderS-bowls of the most delicate June roses or impudent sea-horses twisting round branches of coral, and

many inexpensive little figures which will decorate the modern polished table, made at the Old Cheyne Pottery, 11 Dove Mews, Rosary Gardens. Lalique glass with its delicate carving and exquisite design cannot fail to delight.

Perhaps the most topical present for Christmas, 1927, is a Rolex " Oyster " Watch, which is hermetically sealed and which is quite impervious to external, conditions. This would be a perfect gift for Channel swimmers.

There are some original ideas in Christmas cards this year, and the selectien Which we have Seen is both dignified and decerative. The British Museum haVe printed a special series of reproductions from illuminated MSS. ; especially beautiful is The Building of the Tower of Babel," reproduced from a Book of Hours, executed for John, Duke of Bedford, about A .D . 1423. This is a delightful specimen of mediaeval sense of colour, intricate design and fantastic humour. The Medici Christmas cards, reproductions of Old Masters„, particularly of Gerard's " Madonna and Child," Botticelli's and Raphael's interpretation of the same subject, are in themselves works of art.

The calendars seen at Messrs. Faulkner's have not the enduring qualities of great art, but are pretty and will no doubt fulfil their; year's flute-lion Very successfully. Soft velvet"~ toys appeal -to."Mila tiny children, and this year's _selection from Messrs. Dean will not disappoint their Lilliputian public. A dappled-grey pony, with a knowing expression,- will probably be the favourite, unless Dismal Desmond still wears the laurels, Se S.