A LOOK at what was on sale for Christmas a century ago is available in the Malvern News of 1903, which devoted several columns to local shops and their festive stock.

Most of the shops are now long gone, of course, but one exception is Brays, which was "making a special Christmas show in all departments".

"Attention is particularly drawn to the great variety of Christmas novelties in gentleman's silk ties, mufflers, handkerchiefs, collars, gloves, dressing gowns, umbrellas (ladies and gentlemen's), travelling rugs etc."

Over at Warwick House "the special display made by Messrs Cox and Painter this year surpasses, we think, all their previous efforts."

The wine and spirit merchants, Messrs Archer and Co, had a "very large stock of whiskies, of which they make a speciality and for the excellence of which they have much more than a local reputation.

"The medical journals have at different times subjected these whiskies to analytical tests, with most gratifying results.

One of them, the Balmoral blend, was described as "a fine mature malt spirit, free from foreign deleterious alcohols".

At Mr Clive, Cigar Mer-chants, of The Exchange, "Christmas has made itself felt by an increase in business, as just now the large country houses - and the smaller ones as well - are laying in bountiful supplies of cigars.

"Local butchers are having a particularly busy week and the display of meat in Malvern for quality and general excellence could not possibly be beaten."

To make your Christmas feast complete, also on The Exchange was Messrs W Davis and Co, stocking a selection of "geese, turkeys, poultry, game etc with which to load your table on the 25th".