The Rushden Echo and Argus, 23rd December 1949, transcribed by Gill Hollis
Rushden Shops Are Busy - Better Choice of Christmas Gifts
Any lack of enthusiasm for Christmas, which was supposed to have been preventing shoppers from doing any seasonal buying during the past few weeks, has entirely disappeared in the last few days, according to Rushden shopkeepers who have had one of the busiest Christmas spells since the war, working up to a crescendo as the time gets shorter.
Almost double the numbers of Christmas cards and calendars usually sold have already been passed over the counter, and stocks of small presents, such as diaries, autograph albums and engagement books are getting short.
Most of the large types of toys have now been bought, and though there is still plenty of choice in dolls and various games, the best ones have already been selected.
Jewellers have done a good trade in pearl necklaces and brooches, bought mostly by men, and an equally good trade in lighters and cigarette cases, bought by girls.
The old standby, fifty cigarettes, is now, of course, a much more expensive present, but there are few boxes left, and none in the popular brands, and tobacconists report that their supplies of smaller packets are low although there are still plenty of "Turkish."
Turkeys are plentiful even now, and there has been no difficulty in obtaining them. Most butchers have not even confined the sale to registered customers.
The busiest people who will be at work until late on Christmas Eve are ladies' hairdressers, who are coping with last-minute hair-dos, including perms, washes and sets, and the latest short cuts. Men, too have been keeping the barber busy, though most of them had their hair cut at the beginning of the week so that the first shock would have worn off by Christmas.
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