Ashley Sterne, Punch, Volume 147, Issue 3831… (19th and 20th century)
“ Our folk, I know, won't expect proper presents this year. How would it be if we———" "I know what you mean," I chimed in. "Give them half-presents! Half a lace scarf to your mother, one fur glove only to your father, afternoon-tea saucers to Aunt Emma, a Keats Calendar for 1821⁄2 days to Uncle Peter, kilt-lengths instead of dress-lengths to Cook and Phoebe, and so on, all with promissory notes for the balance attached." "I don't mean anything of the sort," said Joan. "We shall give no half-presents. We shall give one whole present where it will be needed far more than by our relations. ”
