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Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920s–1960s
A journey through the Christmases of yesteryear, with artwork, photos, magazine content, and others treasures of decades past.We all have memories of long-ago Christmases locked away in our hearts. This book explores—with vibrant period art, surprising facts, and excerpts from letters, diaries, and magazines through the decades—what the holiday was like from the 1920s through the 1960s.In Christmas Memories, Susan Waggoner, author of It’s a Wonderful Christmas and Under the Tree, looks at bygone holidays from the perspective of those who lived them. Beginning with “Christmas in the Melting Pot,” which depicts yuletide in the early 1920s, she presents detailed snapshots that re-create seasons past. She chronicles the gifts, activities, fads, and fancies that made each Christmas unique; indulges in fantasy shopping at yesterday’s prices; shares thoughts from letters, diaries, and magazines of the era; and makes the past come to life with vibrant period art that lets you revel in the irresistible nostalgia of Christmas memories.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2009
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117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 14, 2023
I seem to have an insatiable appetite for books about the social history of Christmas, so this was fun, and I enjoyed being able to pinpoint the origins of various decorations my family has accumulated (and disposed of) over the years such as the foldout red paper "honeycomb" bells (long since vanished), which I remember my grandmother putting up in 1974 -- apparently they were quite the fad in the late 1920s, although I don't suppose ours were original to that period. Also the horrible plastic fruit, of which we still have quite a lot (it generally never makes it out of the Christmas box) was considered elegant in the 1960s. It was interesting to learn that "Christmas seals" were a thing because in the 1920s there was no such thing as scotch tape for wrapping presents, and other tidbits of that nature. The book was a little frustrating though, as the pictures -- mostly advertisements from magazines -- didn't always bear direct relation to the text. So no pictures of those honeycomb bells, or of cellophane garlands (!), or of the aluminium trees of many colors from the early 1960s, which the author tells us became unpopular thanks to "A Charlie Brown Christmas." Anyway, I learned that my family's Christmas aesthetic is still in the late 1960s (minus the fruit and the tinsel, which my family always called "icicles" -- we call what other people refer to as garlands "tinsel," go figure) but I kind of knew that already.
December 14, 2022
Very enjoyable book celebrating Christmases of decades past.
November 20, 2013
This is a light little book that touches on the various trends in Christmas decorations, gift giving, et cetera during the period between 1920 and 1969 in the United States.
The information is well-presented with many period illustrations (e.g., advertisements, Christmas cards). I found it to be interesting because it helped shed light on the what might have been my parents' childhood experiences and on how the treasures of my childhood Christmases may have found their way into my family's tradition.
I was torn on the what rating to give this book. It was extremely informative (and probably merits 4 stars on that account), but it left me wanting more, and I would have welcomed a more in-depth treatment of the subject. I also would have liked to see some credits and captions for the illustrations.
All-in-all, a pleasant little book and one I would recommend for someone who wants to get into the spirit or perhaps reminisce about their own Christmases Past.
The information is well-presented with many period illustrations (e.g., advertisements, Christmas cards). I found it to be interesting because it helped shed light on the what might have been my parents' childhood experiences and on how the treasures of my childhood Christmases may have found their way into my family's tradition.
I was torn on the what rating to give this book. It was extremely informative (and probably merits 4 stars on that account), but it left me wanting more, and I would have welcomed a more in-depth treatment of the subject. I also would have liked to see some credits and captions for the illustrations.
All-in-all, a pleasant little book and one I would recommend for someone who wants to get into the spirit or perhaps reminisce about their own Christmases Past.
December 28, 2021
This is a fun jaunt for anyone interested in exploring old timey holiday tradition. It has a good bit of pop culture info and some "history" segments on the various eras to anchor the text. This book is dripping with nostalgia, which is precisely the point of it. It will certainly entertain anyone longing for that this holiday season 🎄
June 23, 2023
This book was a pure joy to read, and I also loved all of the photos of Christmases from the decades of yesteryear. The cover art is so bright and cheerful that I'm tempted to buy a copy simply for display purposes during the holiday season.
July 28, 2018
Fun book for anyone who enjoys Christmas traditions of years past.
December 15, 2023
AN EXCELLENT AND INFORMATIVE BOOK OF HISTORY AND CULTURAL TRADITIONS
Author Susan Waggoner begins this 2009 book with the 1920s: “Was there ever a decade in America that couldn’t be described as a red-hot firecracker of a time? But the 1920s really lived up to the billing and during that decade Christmas, like everything else in America, began to shimmy and shake. Store windows sparkled and sometimes sang. Bright lights glittered on once-humble Main Streets. Some thought the excess signaled the end of the world. Others saw it as nothing more than the big, booming canvas of America itself.” (Pg. 9)
She recounts, “Although tree lights had existed for some time, few family trees had them. For one thing, lights required electricity, something only about half of the population had. And even those who had electricity often found the lights too expensive… Yet even without lights, trees glittered. Tinsel, previously made of expansive silver, was now affordably mass-produced from inexpensive lead. Lamettta garlands… were especially popular, and came in shades of silver and gold. Glass ornaments also added sparkle, though most trees… had fewer of them than trees of today typically do.” (Pg. 12)
She observes, “One of the most striking new faces of the 1920s was Santa Claus… many people [in the 19tjh century] lacked a clear image of Santa… But with the new century, magazines began to print their covers in color, and… manufacturers used full-color illustrations to draw attention to their ads… Two American illustrators in particular, J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell, created the forerunner of the modern Mr. Claus… Both men’s Santas had flowing hair and beards, suits trimmed in white fur, and wide, equatorial belts. Both Santas… operated in a world of children, dispensing toys for all rather than charity for only the poor… Both Santas were men with a job to do---a happy job, to be sure, but one with enormous responsibilities… the new Santa was an enormous hit with the public… as Santa’s popularity grew, businessmen discovered that Santa had a secret talent: he could sell things. Santa began to appear in more and more ads… Santa could move merchandise, especially merchandise marketed to children…” (Pg. 16-17)
She says of the Macy’s Thanksgiving/Christmas Day Parade, “many Macy’s employees were foreign-born residents, who shared memories of the traditional processions that marked European festivals… they asked the store’s president… if they could put on a parade marking the holiday season… Advertised as ‘a surprise New York will never forget,’ the first parade… stepped off smartly on November 27, 1924… When Santa’s sleigh arrived at the end of the procession, a trumpet sounded and, at Santa’s signal, the holiday windows were unveiled. For once. Reality more than lived up to the hype, and the big surprise became even bigger in subsequent years. Lions and tigers from the zoo were added but when the beasts … aroused safety concerns, the store found a creative substitute---giant balloons.” (Pg. 29-30)
She notes, “For most people, the Christmas tree remained the one must-have of the holiday season, to be decorated in the grandest style possible. The paper ornaments of yesteryear had become a bit shabby by now… But tinsel and ornaments remained in style, and thanks to Woolworth’s most people could afford at least a few items to make the tree sparkle. Woolworth’s began importing inexpensive ornaments from German in the 1880s and now both Japan and Czechoslovakia entered the market. Most people could afford at least a few purchased ornaments and supplemented store-bought sparkle with paper chains, garlands of popcorn and cranberries, and other homemade decorations.” (Pg. 35)
But in the 1940s, “America had lost its small-town feeling and become a bigger, richer, and slightly less familiar place. Even Christmas didn’t seem quite the same at first, with family and friends scattered across the country, and some gone forever. But gradually, people found their way. They rebuilt relationships, found new jobs and new places to live, and celebrated Christmas for all they were worth.” (Pg. 79)
She observes, “For most people, gift giving in the Fifties was more lavish than ever before. Nieman Marcus set the pace in 1951 when it started featuring outrageously luxurious His and Hers gifts in its Christmas catalogue… The catalogue was a publicity stunt, of course, but it reflected America’s rising affluence. Retailers who’d initially been suspicious of the high rate of spending accepted [it] as the new normal. Accommodating shoppers wasn’t easy. Most stores closed at 6:00 or 7:00 P.M., and laws prevented commerce on Sundays. Then in 1951, a newly opened shopping center … decided to stay open until 9:00 P.M. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Commuters could now come home from work and eat dinner, then shop at their leisure… other retailers began to follow suit.” (Pg. 91)
This wonderfully-illustrated book will be of great interest to those who enjoy the cultural history of Christmas.
Author Susan Waggoner begins this 2009 book with the 1920s: “Was there ever a decade in America that couldn’t be described as a red-hot firecracker of a time? But the 1920s really lived up to the billing and during that decade Christmas, like everything else in America, began to shimmy and shake. Store windows sparkled and sometimes sang. Bright lights glittered on once-humble Main Streets. Some thought the excess signaled the end of the world. Others saw it as nothing more than the big, booming canvas of America itself.” (Pg. 9)
She recounts, “Although tree lights had existed for some time, few family trees had them. For one thing, lights required electricity, something only about half of the population had. And even those who had electricity often found the lights too expensive… Yet even without lights, trees glittered. Tinsel, previously made of expansive silver, was now affordably mass-produced from inexpensive lead. Lamettta garlands… were especially popular, and came in shades of silver and gold. Glass ornaments also added sparkle, though most trees… had fewer of them than trees of today typically do.” (Pg. 12)
She observes, “One of the most striking new faces of the 1920s was Santa Claus… many people [in the 19tjh century] lacked a clear image of Santa… But with the new century, magazines began to print their covers in color, and… manufacturers used full-color illustrations to draw attention to their ads… Two American illustrators in particular, J.C. Leyendecker and Norman Rockwell, created the forerunner of the modern Mr. Claus… Both men’s Santas had flowing hair and beards, suits trimmed in white fur, and wide, equatorial belts. Both Santas… operated in a world of children, dispensing toys for all rather than charity for only the poor… Both Santas were men with a job to do---a happy job, to be sure, but one with enormous responsibilities… the new Santa was an enormous hit with the public… as Santa’s popularity grew, businessmen discovered that Santa had a secret talent: he could sell things. Santa began to appear in more and more ads… Santa could move merchandise, especially merchandise marketed to children…” (Pg. 16-17)
She says of the Macy’s Thanksgiving/Christmas Day Parade, “many Macy’s employees were foreign-born residents, who shared memories of the traditional processions that marked European festivals… they asked the store’s president… if they could put on a parade marking the holiday season… Advertised as ‘a surprise New York will never forget,’ the first parade… stepped off smartly on November 27, 1924… When Santa’s sleigh arrived at the end of the procession, a trumpet sounded and, at Santa’s signal, the holiday windows were unveiled. For once. Reality more than lived up to the hype, and the big surprise became even bigger in subsequent years. Lions and tigers from the zoo were added but when the beasts … aroused safety concerns, the store found a creative substitute---giant balloons.” (Pg. 29-30)
She notes, “For most people, the Christmas tree remained the one must-have of the holiday season, to be decorated in the grandest style possible. The paper ornaments of yesteryear had become a bit shabby by now… But tinsel and ornaments remained in style, and thanks to Woolworth’s most people could afford at least a few items to make the tree sparkle. Woolworth’s began importing inexpensive ornaments from German in the 1880s and now both Japan and Czechoslovakia entered the market. Most people could afford at least a few purchased ornaments and supplemented store-bought sparkle with paper chains, garlands of popcorn and cranberries, and other homemade decorations.” (Pg. 35)
But in the 1940s, “America had lost its small-town feeling and become a bigger, richer, and slightly less familiar place. Even Christmas didn’t seem quite the same at first, with family and friends scattered across the country, and some gone forever. But gradually, people found their way. They rebuilt relationships, found new jobs and new places to live, and celebrated Christmas for all they were worth.” (Pg. 79)
She observes, “For most people, gift giving in the Fifties was more lavish than ever before. Nieman Marcus set the pace in 1951 when it started featuring outrageously luxurious His and Hers gifts in its Christmas catalogue… The catalogue was a publicity stunt, of course, but it reflected America’s rising affluence. Retailers who’d initially been suspicious of the high rate of spending accepted [it] as the new normal. Accommodating shoppers wasn’t easy. Most stores closed at 6:00 or 7:00 P.M., and laws prevented commerce on Sundays. Then in 1951, a newly opened shopping center … decided to stay open until 9:00 P.M. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights. Commuters could now come home from work and eat dinner, then shop at their leisure… other retailers began to follow suit.” (Pg. 91)
This wonderfully-illustrated book will be of great interest to those who enjoy the cultural history of Christmas.
December 12, 2019
This is a fun, light little book about Christmas fads that did raise a lot of great memories. But over and over, I found myself wanting more. She covers many great highlights — Shiny Brite ornaments, bubble lights, aluminum trees — but with more of a “gee-weren’t-they-great” approach than the “here’s-the-bigger-story-approach” that I wanted.
This book would probably please those simply wanting nostalgia, and it is filled with wonderful images (although, oddly, sometimes a great story that begs for an image won’t have one — and on at least a few occasions the images given don’t fully match what is being said about a particular memory). But if you want a deeper dive, I would recommend instead Vickey Kall’s The Boomer Book of Christmas Memories, which captures both the nostalgia and the deeper stories behind some beloved memories.
This book would probably please those simply wanting nostalgia, and it is filled with wonderful images (although, oddly, sometimes a great story that begs for an image won’t have one — and on at least a few occasions the images given don’t fully match what is being said about a particular memory). But if you want a deeper dive, I would recommend instead Vickey Kall’s The Boomer Book of Christmas Memories, which captures both the nostalgia and the deeper stories behind some beloved memories.
December 19, 2019
A "ghost" of Christmas past. A very nice walk down memory lane, when toys, prices, decorations and food were so different. Children wanted dolls, dollhouses, Matchbox cars, science kits and board games. Today they want IPhones, IPads, and video games. I'm glad I'm old.
December 23, 2017
It was interesting to read but would have liked more information about where the author found some of the illustrations.
September 13, 2018
I enjoyed this mostly because I love the past especially the 20's-50's. It was fun to read about ornaments and cards from the past that I have.
December 13, 2018
Did I like it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
Would I reread it? Possibly.
Would I recommend it? Yes.
January 9, 2019
Wonderful and accurate trip down memory lane... this was Christmas the way I grew up.
January 29, 2019
Wonderful book!
December 20, 2019
A wonderful trip down holiday history with lots of fun facts about the way people celebrated through the decades. A nice piece of social history that is perfect for the season!
January 2, 2020
Pretty cool little book!!!
August 30, 2023
Fun and educational book about the way people in the US have celebrated Christmas over the decades from the 20s- 60s.
January 25, 2016
This is a terrific book of facts, photos and nostalgia about Christmas during the 20's through the 60's. I learned a lot, and am old enough to remember some. Here are a few interesting tidbits:
1920's - Not many homes had electricity so all the sparkle on the trees came from tinsel (made from lead!!) and candles. The Macy's parade began in 1924 with live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.
1930's - Greeting cards became popular replacing the Christmas postcard. Radio was the expensive family gift, and for children: sock monkeys, the board games Sorry and Monopoly. Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932 with the high-kicking Rockettes. The introduction of Scotch tape made package wrapping much simpler.
1940's - During the war years the shortage of metal and rubber saw a reduction in the quality of children's toys. Christmas trees were in short supply due to the fact there were fewer men to cut them down so artificial trees became popular.
1950's - The aluminum tree with the rotating color wheel was all the rage. Remote control televisions were the family gift. In 1954 the full-length revival of The Nutcracker became a national sensation.
1960's - Jackie Kennedy started the 'themed' Christmas tree tradition. Artificial trees fell out of favor after "A Charlie Brown Christmas" aired on tv in 1965; children everywhere wanted the real thing like Charlie had. Children's toys included the etch-a-sketch, easy-bake oven, hot wheels and the game of Operation.
Give yourself a treat and read this fun book. It will definitely get you in the Holiday spirit.
1920's - Not many homes had electricity so all the sparkle on the trees came from tinsel (made from lead!!) and candles. The Macy's parade began in 1924 with live animals borrowed from the Central Park Zoo.
1930's - Greeting cards became popular replacing the Christmas postcard. Radio was the expensive family gift, and for children: sock monkeys, the board games Sorry and Monopoly. Radio City Music Hall opened in 1932 with the high-kicking Rockettes. The introduction of Scotch tape made package wrapping much simpler.
1940's - During the war years the shortage of metal and rubber saw a reduction in the quality of children's toys. Christmas trees were in short supply due to the fact there were fewer men to cut them down so artificial trees became popular.
1950's - The aluminum tree with the rotating color wheel was all the rage. Remote control televisions were the family gift. In 1954 the full-length revival of The Nutcracker became a national sensation.
1960's - Jackie Kennedy started the 'themed' Christmas tree tradition. Artificial trees fell out of favor after "A Charlie Brown Christmas" aired on tv in 1965; children everywhere wanted the real thing like Charlie had. Children's toys included the etch-a-sketch, easy-bake oven, hot wheels and the game of Operation.
Give yourself a treat and read this fun book. It will definitely get you in the Holiday spirit.
November 2, 2017
Love it so far.
December 10, 2012
Just a lovely read about Christmases not too long past. I grew up in the 1970s with many of the ornaments and decorations from the 60s chapter, as well as the toys and other things that were part of that decade-- and visiting older family members, there were all of their decorations from the 20s onward. She includes lots of pictures and vintage advertisements to take a reader back in time, through the Depression, World War II, the Baby Boom, and the many changes of the 60s. It was sad and sweet to see my family's tree lights and ornament boxes again in these pages. If you love history and Christmas, you'll enjoy this as much as I did.
November 19, 2013
I love learning about history, pop culture and holiday traditions. This is an awesome book. The author is known for making books about holiday traditions and I now own 3 of her books. They are so pretty to look at. They are something I will have on my shelf every year for Christmas. Beautiful books!
December 22, 2014
This little book explores the history of Christmas in the U.S. from the 1920's to the 1960's. It covers the evolving tradition and celebration of the holiday and the types of gifts, activities & fads that characterized each decade. I was struck by the influence of war on the celebration which has persisted despite the distinct lack of peace on earth.
November 11, 2014
The title led me to believe this was going to be sort of a crafts book. However, it was a thoroughly researched and well organized history of Christmas in the US from the 1920's through the 1960's. I was really hoping to find something about the Victorian Riot of Ribbons, but no luck.
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September 1, 2015I check this book out from the library about once a year. I love the nostalgic look back at the gifts, decorations, food and clothing from Christmases past. I also wish I could still get some of the deocorations that were sold then.
January 5, 2014
Great book of Christmas Traditions from the 1920s-1960s.
I absolutely loved reading this book!
I absolutely loved reading this book!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews