Show More l Gifts for Overseas Servicemen I Based on increasing demand for gift items it is estimated that overseas overseas overseas over over- seas servicemen and women will receive receive re re- receive re- re 20 per cent more Christmas presents per capita this year than last and the home folks may expect expect expect ex ex- ex- ex an even larger percentage of reciprocal gifts gills mostly of th the luxury and sentimental type This forecast was made by John C. C Goodall general general gen gen- general eral manager of the Merchandise Mart Chicago following a checkup among gift item manufacturers and distributors including those who ho sell c I r A I I t 4 V Ernest J. J Chicago postmaster postmaster postmaster post post- master left explains to George McCarthy foreman oreman in charge o of foreign mail how packages should be wrapped and addressed to get favored delivery ery service to men in ini inthe inthe the armed forces overseas i to retailers and army and navy post exchanges Reasons given for the expected increase in increase rn- rn crease in the number of gifts sent this year overseas are 1 The up moved-up official mailing date September 15 to October 15 IS extended to November 1 I for those in the navy marine corps and coast coastguard coastguard guard will stimulate early shopping and the five pound limitation on gUt gilt packages means more will be sent 2 More stores have installed specia special special cial cia gift gilt counters or departments which means more display advertIsing advertising adver adver- Using and sales 3 The home folks are now better advised on the gilt gift gi t preferences of servicemen and women and know more specifically where they are arc stationed sta- sta stationed stationed sta sta- hence can make their selections selections selections more intelligently 4 The overseas forces operating on more fronts and facing more varied climatic and geographical conditions become eligible for a wider variety of gifts The tendency to send more gifts to those furthest from home also favors increased sales While shortages shortages short short- ages aces at home are developing in such items as watches leather novelties and jewelry it is thought heavier I I purchases of more available items will more than offset these The number of gifts to come from service personnel abroad to relatives and friends at home borne is expected tobe to tobe tobe I be larger per capita because manufacturers manufacturers manu manu- and distributors who sell to army and navy post exchanges particularly in the Mediterranean area already report rising sales to servicemen and women More post exchanges greater opportunity afforded afforded afforded af af- af- af forded servicemen to buy direct from the natives who also sell to is a factor now boosting sales Other sales stimulants are arc that overseas overseas overseas over over- seas servicemen and women in high spirits themselves are not so sure about the morale of ot the home home- folk tolk and seek to bolster It by gifts Flusher with cash and conscious of accumulated favors from home the overseas contingent find themselves in an ideal spot to reciprocate Among American made gift ift items most popular at overseas post exchanges exchanges ex ex- changes are pins clips earrings vanity cases eases many bearing the in insignia insignia insignia in- in signia of ot the various branches of the service Ornate pillow tops and handkerchiefs which embody delicately deli I II cately worded sentiments come to the aid of thousands of less art articulate articulate cuI cu- cu late servicemen Such Items are prime favorites overseas as well as asat asat asat at post exchanges at home Necklaces embroideries pipes laces opal and topaz jewelry metat metal metal met met- al at and leather handicraft of Latin and Oriental origin is also in high favor Watches one of the top preferences preferences preferences among all in the service are relatively easy to get in the Mediterranean Mediterranean Med Med- area since many of them come direct from Switzerland The gifts servicemen may expect from the home folks parallel somewhat somewhat somewhat some some- I what those sent last year although there will be a wider selection to toI I choose from Furlough bags small I carry all and sewing kits bags wallets religious medals identification iden iden- identification bracelets photo cases pen and pencil sets shaving equipment insignia pieces and of course cigarettes cigarettes ciga cigarettes ciga- ciga are high on the preference i list of servicemen I Money belts are not expected to tobe toI tobe I be as popular this year as last while watertight size pocket-size holders I for miscellaneous personal things are in high vogue sized Pocket j games such as checkers cribbage II I gin rummy backgammon and acey I ducey are similarly popular While these gift items have general general gen gen- eral cral popularity among the forces force overseas as well vil as ns at home a variety van vari vari ety of ot gift preferences is develop ing A large number on the Pacific I front for instance show partiality to such articles as knives sun sunglasses sunglasses glasses and sun anti and bug lotions I j The growing number of service servicewomen servicewomen women is dicta dictating tine the installation I of ot women departments in post exI ex- ex ch changes Heavy orders for toiletries toiletries toilet toilet- I ries apparel items and the Hie more esthetic type of gifts are arc reported |