Christmas in the Foxholes

There are no attics in the Army or Navy. So those who send Christmas presents to men in Northern Ireland. Australia, Iceland, Trinidad, Egypt, Midway or Brooklyn Navy Yard had better send things that are wanted. Last week, just in time for givers, the Department Store Economist published the results of a poll in which 1,000 servicemen rated 51 potential gifts as "swell," "fair" or "junk."

No giver who takes the poll to heart will send any serviceman a cribbage board unless he specifically requests it, nor burden an infantryman with a portable phonograph. He will steer clear of diaries, shun warm bathrobes, spurn a waterproof money belt for any but sailors.

When Grandma reads that 25% of the soldiers and 31% of the sailors think mufflers are junk, she'll think twice before casting on the stitches. The case for sleeveless sweaters is about as bad. She would do better to have her picture (and pictures of friends and family) taken and send them along. She could send a pocketknife or, better still, a pocket Bible. Over 49% of the soldiers and 58% of the sailors rated Bibles swell, would rather have the whole thing than just the New Testament.

The family might band together on a waterproof wrist watch or small portable radio. Almost 90% of the sailors and 75% of the soldiers want the wrist watch, making it the most popular single item. More than 75% of the sailors went for radios, even though they are banned at sea. (Portable phonographs are also popular in the Navy.) The radio, if sent, must be really small because no overseas package should be bigger than a shoebox nor weigh more than six pounds.

Wives and mothers may rejoice at the poll popularity of homemade cookies and other eats, but the unfeeling Navy Department puts in: "Stale or mashed cakes, cookies reduced to crumbs and spoiled fruit do not make for a Merry Christmas for boys overseas." Instead, Mother should send a sewing kit (in Army & Navy sonny wants it). The Navy likes overnight bags.

A windproof cigaret lighter gets a swell rating from 55% of the Army and 63% of the Navy (but fluid is not mailable). Other favorites: cigarets, leather wallets with insignia on them, pen & pencil sets, stationery, polarized sun glasses. The boys even want shoe brushes and razor-blade sharpeners. Special Army favorites: good regulation shirts and socks and extra government issue caps (of the right branch). But as Army and Navy provide full outfits for all except officers it is better not to send clothes unless specifically requested.

Special points for givers to remember:

> Money should be sent only by money order (in foreign countries importing U.S. money may be forbidden).

> To have any assurance of a Christmas package arriving overseas on time, the last good month for mailing is October.

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