The Key West Citizen Newspaper, December 24, 1954, Page 19

DEEP BLUE, BRILLIANT RED AND BRIGHT GREEN—are the predominating colors in this Mexican Christmas arrangement. Designed by Mrs, Thomas Chandler, it combines the bright colors associated with Latin American countries with a typical cactus plant, She used Christmas tree ornaments in various sizes and stings of beads to get this unusual effect, — Citizen Staff Photo, Don Pinder. Holiday ishes Once more it’s a joyous occasion for us to send to our friends the Greetings of the Season and to wish them a Cheerful Christmas...a New Year of success and good health. ROBERTS Office Machines 128 Duval —Dial 2.5634 THE KEY WEST CITIZEN : CHRISTMAS EDITION —— 954 THE CHRISTMAS CRIB Homes all over the world do not have Christmas Trees, It is the Christmas crib whieh is more wide- ly known as a symbol, It is the ereche in France, the Nacimiento in Spain and the Krippe in Ger- many. In many countries the crib is carried through the streets by groups of singing children and is a feature in many homes during the Christmas holidays, just as the tree is in the Northern European countries and in this country. Christmas To Our Friends and Customers STAR * BRAND COFFEE MILL J. T. SANCHEZ, Prop. a alan SantaStory —_[ Virginia, Who Learned About Santa Long Ago, Wishes For Peace’ Helps Child’s Development DALLAS — A psychiatrist be- lieves most children will be hap- pier if they find out about Santa Claus themselves. ‘ Preserve your child’s faith until he reasons that it’s not the be- whiskered -gent but the spirit he represents that puts those gifts un- der the Chrsistmas tree, says Dr, James S. May. : That way, May advises, your youngster won't be let down abrupt- ly. May, director of a child guid- ance clinic, thinks Santa Claus is mighty important to the younger crowd and should be handled deft- ly. He offers these pointers: When little Beauregard first asks, “Is there a Santa Claus?” he’s usually worried and fishing for reassurance, Maybe he has spi- ed two St. Nicks on the street or heard playmates’ gossip. Don't disappoint him at this point by blurting, ‘No, there isn't any Santa Claus,” or make him suspicious by dodging the question. Reassure him. Say something like, “Of course there is a Santa Claus, He means everything that’s good.” “The child may want this reas- surance one or two years, As long as you think he does, give it. Try to handle it in term of what you think he knows.” As the youngster's reasoning de- velops, he will usually learn the answer himself and be mature enough to accept it, Now he wants to see what you'll say. “When you see that’s the ease, don’t ease him along any more, Tell him.” How? “Be forthright. Tell him there is no real Santa, that it has been a game you’ve been playing. And you know he wouldn’t want to spoil it for the younger children.” That should settle it, May says, with the child not hurt — and pleased because he came on the answer himself, As a psychiatrist, May approves the Santa Claus myth if it is hand- led correctly. “When used to give the child a concept of good will it is helpful, But Santa Clays should not be set up as a judge in the child’s mind. You know what I mean: ‘Be good, Johnny, or Santa won't bring you anything for Christmas’, The psychiatrist says it could be tough on a child for his not to let him believe in St, Niek, “It's so much @ part of tural pattern the y , does not believe.is on the outside,”” he says. “It is important for chil- dren to have things in And the more pleasant experiences, the better prepared a child is to NEW YORK Virginia readily admits that her wish this Christ- mas season is not a very novel one. Tt is a wish for peace, and it comes from the heart of a gentle lady of 65 who occupies a yuletide cng as secure as Santa’s him- Indeed it was Virginia—now. Mrs. Virginia O’Hanlen Douglas, grand- mother—who helped put Santa on the map, so to speak. The editor, with wisdom no child|has devoted her life to children, of 8 would dare question, gave an| emerges briefly into the Christmas immortal reply: glow. “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa She has been saddened the past Glaus. . . year by the death of her mother. Again this year, as for several) but she is vigorous and in good generations now, editors, among! health. others, will search for words to! Her plans call for another holi reassure their young re y with her daughter Mrs. Rob- the spirit of Christmas, And H. Temple and six grandchil- they will turn to the word ; dren at North Chatham, near Al- bany, N.Y. “This may sound unusual,” she said today, “but my wish for ug@ ail this Christmas is that Christe mases of the future will be ag happy as the past, that this new talk of war means nothing, and that peace will be something we all know.” sustained young Virginia } CARMAN AA CNR RRNONOHTONC CORNERO NCCC ENEN From the depths of girlish be-| century ago. wilderment Virginia wrote a letter} “He exists as certainly as love 57 years ago to the editor of the|and generosity and devotion ex- old New York Sun. sabes i Please tell me,” she pleaded,| Again this year, as for half a ‘is there a Santa Claus?” century, the charming woman who | NR A NH A NN NM ME REI EEN IEE EEE IE ENE CIE A word of thanks ond Season's Greetings te the many friends we have been privileged te serve. We wish you and your fomily health and happiness for many years to come. Crusoe Insurance Agency DIAL 2.2342 902 Florida Street RPMI BBM DRM RDB meet the inevitable unpleasant ex- periences of life,” Dr. May believes Santa Claus and Christmas help the child feel closer te his parents by sharing an enjoyable event. “Families don't get together enough these days,” he says, — AP Newsfeatures. ST. NICHOLAS The traditions of Christmas are many. Some ean be traced, but most are lost in the dim recesses of history. The story of St, Nicholas, patron saint of children, is one rooted in fact. A man named Nicholas was born in Asia Minor back in the 9th or 10th century, the son ef a wealthy bishop and a charitable mother. When his parents died, Ni- cholas gave away everything his parents left him, After his death he was named as the patron saint of children whom he particularly loved. There are two Christmas Islands, One is an isolated atoll in the In- dian Ocean. The other is a low- lying atoll in the Pacific Ocean. From all of us at HERMAN'S « « « May time turn backward in tts fight... and make you a child again just for a night...as Santa bows in with a.sack sult of gifts and a wealth of good wishes from ail of us to all of you. Dion & Smith Tire Supply Dial 2-2000 Muay the spirit of Peace and Good Will that came inte the world with Him on that first Christmas, abide with you and those dear to you, new and always... The Bottle Cap Inn - 1128 Simonton Street Johnny and Chas. Gavilan iat