From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Article from 'The Autocar' magazine offering Christmas gift ideas for motorists from a woman's perspective.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 128\3\ scan0012 | |
| Date | 16th December 1938 | |
| 1138 1104. The Autocar December 16th, 1938. FROM ONE WOMAN DRIVER TO ANOTHER The Feminine Angle on Christmas Shopping By DOBS KNIGHT SEVERAL times recently I have been asked if it is possible to get motoring gifts that have a more or less personal touch. But there is always one stipulation—the present must not be too expensive. I, too, have made up my mind to put into action the words one hears so often at Christmas-time: “After all, it is the spirit of the gift that matters, not the value!” I decided to set a limit of ten shillings on each present. With that resolve I adorned myself in my finery and set off, somewhat sceptically, on my voyage of discovery. Having to change a wheel did not improve my frame of mind, and I parked the car, feeling pessimistic about getting even one suitable present at or below the required figure. My first discovery, soon after I had left the car, helped a lot to restore my equilibrium. It was a car mascot in the shape of a skeleton, made, I believe, of pipe cleaners. A most gruesome-looking creature with its bare skull and bones, but one which will appeal tremendously to the “kid brother” who has just got his first sports car and is feeling rather a lad. It is about seven inches in length and, being fairly pliable, can be fixed to any part of the car. It is cheap, too, at 1s. 9d. To Match the Car At my next discovery I lost my head and bought wildly. This was a series of ties and scarves to match the car, not just in colour but having the emblem of the make woven in. At the moment they are, I believe, only available with the M.G., S.S., Mercedes and V8 device on them. Men’s ties cost 4s. 6d., squares are 8s. 6d., while long scarves are 6s. 11d. and “mammy” scarves that a woman can wear either on the head or as a “choker” cost 4s. 6d. Incidentally, if you are feeling particularly rash and would like a blouse to match the car as well, they, too, can be made from the same material at 29s. 6d. The stock colours are navy, black, nigger, burgundy and forest green. Another gift for one of my girl friends who has a passion for bracelets was a chain with different motoring signs suspended from it. The “Stop,” “Danger,” “No Parking” and “Curve” signs with a model motor car in the centre form this bracelet. The idea is American and the signs are not quite the same as ours, but it is made of “gilt,” which, as you know, is very fashionable at the moment. The price, too, for a bracelet of this description is remarkably low, being 4s. 11d. complete. Now, I have lots of friends who take their dogs motoring with them wherever they go. In fact, the car is second kennel. Unfortunately, the poor dog is supposed not to move for fear of leaving dirty paw marks on the upholstery, therefore I decided to look out for something of a doggy nature for these friends. I found the nattiest doggy boots made of soft kid to fit any size paws. They lace up, too, so there is no fear of them slipping off. But to both dog and master what a boon to think that now the weather is wet and messy, the price is three shillings each boot. Another present of a doggy nature is a special towel made of brown turkish towelling. This is oblong in shape with a sort of bag at each end which fits over the dog's hands and makes it possible to dry a dog, particularly his paws, without getting dirty. This towel costs 3s. 6d. I wonder how many of you know men who drive open cars and love to smoke a pipe as they drive along. No doubt you have seen the pipe burn away before they have even started to enjoy it, and eventually be discarded in disgust. Fate must have led me to the shop that sold pipes with tops on, designed specially for open-air driving. Named, aptly enough, the Hurricane, this pipe can be obtained from 10s. 6d. (I think the sixpence over the limit will be pardoned in this extreme case.) Whilst in this shop I also discovered that it is possible to have tobacco pouches made in club colours from 8s. 6d. each, so, if your husband or boy friend has a favourite club, there is an idea for you that will keep you in his good books for ever. Useful If Not Original Although it is not an original idea, I don't think anyone goes through a Christmas without buying a wallet of some kind. I discovered a nice one for 9s. 6d. It has sections for the insurance certificate, licence, car key and notes. That was the extent of my shopping for the day, and feeling rather triumphant at achieving my object at such reasonable prices, I hied me to my favourite tea shop just off Bond Street and between mouthfuls of hot buttered toast decided that the day had been well spent. A 28 | ||