Christmas 1914 - business as usual and charitable appeals

Amid the welter of commercially motivated advertisements for Christmas gifts and seasonal treats, could be found others which, in their appeal for money to provide comforts and cheer to the men serving in the forces, reflected the desire of many ordinary people to mark this first Christmas of the war, as one of particular importance. The habit of charitable giving, nurtured in the traditions of Victorian philanthropy, was to find ample expression during the First World War in the thousands of appeal funds, which were set up to aid every conceivable cause. But perhaps the most memorable of these was the Christmas Gift Fund launched on 14 October 1914, by Princess Mary; a fund, which was to inspire the creation of one of the most enduring mementos of the First World War - the Princess Mary's Gift Box.

HRH Princess Mary with General Grant, during the inspection of the Coldstream Guards married quarters, at Wellington Barracks (1917) Q66239

Princess Mary:
The third child and only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, HRH The Princess Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary was just 17 when war broke out and the Fund to which she lent her name was the first great national cause with which she became associated.

Her original intention had been to pay, out of her private allowance, for a personal gift to each soldier and sailor. This was deemed impracticable and a proposal was made that she lend her name to a public fund, which would raise the necessary monies to provide the gift. From the outset the young Princess took a deep personal interest in the work of the Fund. She was present at the inaugural meeting held at the Ritz Hotel on 14 October and on the following day, Buckingham Palace released a letter, signed by the Princess, explaining the purpose of the Fund. The charm and sincerity of her appeal were irresistible:

"I want you now to help me to send a Christmas present from the whole of the nation to every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front. I am sure that we should all be happier to feel that we had helped to send our little token of love and sympathy on Christmas morning, something that would be useful and of permanent value, and the making of which may be the means of providing employment in trades adversely affected by the war. Could there be anything more likely to hearten them in their struggle than a present received straight from home on Christmas Day?

Please will you help me?"