Holiday Gifts by Editor

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 7, 1882

Holiday Gifts.

By Editor

The holidays are at hand, and in accordance with a custom of long standing, many will give and receive gifts. Children especially expect to be remembered on these occasions, and many parents will deny themselves greatly in order that their little ones may not be disappointed.

There is nothing wrong in this custom unless it is carried to an extreme. Unfortunately, too many purchase mere trifles that give but brief pleasure, and are soon destroyed, or if lasting, are of no practical value. But good books are not open to this charge. They are always appropriate, always interesting, and are the means of enjoyment and profit, not only to the receiver, but to all his friends. They are lasting, and thus they serve to keep the giver in remembrance.

We would call the attention of the reader to our list of "Holiday Books," found in another column, especially to the "Sabbath Readings for the Home Circle." No more acceptable present can be made to a boy or girl than these books, and we have yet to see the grown person who is not interested in their perusal. Every child who loves to read will be delighted, and those who care little for reading will have a love for it created, while at the same time it will not be unduly stimulated. There is no more profitable way of spending an evening at home than for one member of the family to read aloud from some good book to others who are variously employed. Again we repeat, Do not waste money in useless trinkets, but save it by purchasing valuable books.