There’s no better time than now to reprint WWD’s retail take on one of the season’s most classic poems. Here, excerpts from 1922’s “The ‘Mite’ Before Christmas.”
“The month before Christmas is somewhat unpleasant
If nobody knows what to buy for a present
To give to their family, or give to their friends,
And every one seems to be at his wit’s end!
Then out of the gloom, like a gay Christmas carol,
There comes the suggestion of — WEARING APPAREL!
With aprons and anklets, bags, bracelets and beads,
One’s sure to find something that somebody needs.
Look in at the shops — see the cravats and chains,
Cigarette cases and odd looking canes,
Knickers and slip-ons and other ‘excesses’
One wears underneath one’s satin crepe dresses.
And don’t forget earrings, they’re so ornamental,
No matter how plain, or if true Oriental.
Fans always are lovely and furs, oh my dear!
There are perfectly beautiful showings this year!
They’re so inexpensive, and have the effect
Of costing a deal more than one would expect.”