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The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thursday, December 20, 1967—SEC. B—PAGE 15 Giving gifts during the Christmas season is a custom that most of us enjoy. Some of us even become reckless and spend more than we should for a particular gift merely because it seems the perfect’' item for a special individual. In ancient times and places, gift giving was sometimes com pulsory. Roman emperors de manded Yuletide gifts of cloth ing, gold and silver from their subjects. So, it is said, did the kings and queens of medieval England. Long before the birth oj Christ, Romans exchanged gifts of laurel, olive and myrtle branches, in conjunction with the Saturnalia, a pagan festival which occurred about the same time as the present date of Christmas. The Druids of England and Northern Europe tied gifts on trees during the festival observ ing the winter solstice. Gift giving today does not take the form of appeasement; it reflects the spirit of kind- hearted generosity. It is a safe bet that even those who cry out that "Christ mas is becoming too commer cial* have their own special gift list. HAVE NtJURSELF A HOLIDAY Since Christmas is tradition ally a season of joy and happi ness, special consideration should be given to the "do”and "don’t" safety rules we should observe year-round. Don’t get carefree and increase the possi bility of an unhappy accident. First, decorate wisely. Do not use cotton, paper or any flammable material when you trim the family tree. Do not place electric trains or other electric powered devices around the tree. Metalic tinsel falling across the track could create a short circuit and cause the train transformer to burn. Be sure that all toys are of nonflammable materials. Some imported toys are made of ni trocellulose (which looks like celluloid or plastic) and this material burns with surprising ferocity. Choose only electrical toys and tree lighting sets which are laboratory approved. Do not use lighted candles near the tree, or in windows. Keep curtains or any other flammable naterial at windows pulled back at least 6 inches from any electric candles or wreaths. On Christmas day, keep a carton handy and dispose of all gift wrappings promptly. Don’t let them pile up around the tree, near the fireplace, or any heating device. Have yourself a happy, ac cident-free holiday. INSTANT WHITE . . . White snow made from trees for Christmas trees assures a white Christmas of sorts. The "snow” is bleached cellulose (wood pulp) with adhesive, starch and flame retardant additives. Some commercial tree lot owners spray trees as shown to make them white. GOOD GIFT . . . Quality "staple” toys are more popular than ever this year, according to toy buyers for leading de partment stores. Such items as science kits outsell fads and gimmick items. Yet, to please, toys should be bought with the idea they will appeal to the child for whom they are intended. NEW YORK SKYLINE . . . Visible in photo above is the rectangular United Nations Secretariat Building, flanked by the spires of the Empire State Building, left, and Chrysler Building, right. More often than not. New York has snow for the Christmas season. Always, in this great American city, there are interesting things to do and see at Christmastime. menny chRistnus Again, at this season of the year we wish to voice our gratitude to our friends whom it is our pleasure to serve. We esteem the continued patronage of our custom ers—and the confidence manifested in us by so many of you Newberrians. May we say in all sincerity that it ever shall be our desire to foster the kindly relations which exist between us, and we believe no more fitting demonstration of our attitude can be made than to re-dedicate ourselves to the cause of quality, keep our standards high and strive to merchandise our store so that you may always be better served. Carpenters Newberry