Vintage Christmas Shopping Inspiration

"First of all she had it in mind to get a warm lovely negligee for her mother, and comfortable pretty slippers to go with it. The doctor had given them hope that she might be able to come downstairs for dinner on Christmas Day if she was reasonably careful beforehand. She needed something to wear down. Marjorie chose a charming one of wine red wool, exquisitely finished with soft silk facings, a rich sash girdle, and frothy lace ruffling falling deeply from the wide sleeves and surplice neck. It was such a lovely thing she couldn't resist it. She selected a rosy quilted dressing sack for wear now when Mother began to sit up in bed, and then a couple of very pretty simple dresses . . . She bought a couple of little brother and sister suits for Sunny and Bonnie. They were so cute she could not resist them . . . Children's things were so pretty it required strength of character not to buy the store out.

After that it didn't take much time to select a warm house coat of brown for her father, a nice leather coat for Ted, and a thick, warm sweater for Bud with a bright Roman band of colors in the roll of the turtle collar . . .

She stopped on the way out of the store to get a five pound box of candy and another of salted nuts. Those would be things she couldn't well purchase at the little grocery store near Aster Street."

--Grace Livingston Hill, Brentwood