Product Description

People of all ages and interests will love this book! The children steal the show in this rich selection of 190 vintage photographs documenting how children have celebrated Christmas from 1870 through 1950. The venerable Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle and Pere Noel shown in these photographs have all evolved into the American figure of our jolly Santa Claus. Some photographs record huge elaborately decorated trees touching the ceilings of fancy Victorian parlours with branches smothered in tinsel, blown glass ornaments and a medley of antique toys. Other photographs document the more humble surroundings of pioneer kitchens with tabletop trees lovingly decorated with handmade ornaments of cranberries, cookies or gilded nuts. This book is sure to become a warm friend that will bring a smile to your heart every time that you open it.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1345327 in Books
• Published on: 2002-09
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 128 pages

About the Author
Steven Micheal Wikert and Mary McMurray Wikert

Customer Reviews

Social history lessons
This book is a little bit better organized and informational, if compared with the authors' similar volume, "Cherish Me Always, a Century of Dolls." The guide to photographic terms in the back and all of the other credits and references will be very useful for researchers. Once again, I am touched by how many of the people in these photos look so unhappy; I know it wasn't the style to smile, but c'mon! It was Christmas! The authors' books will also be of interest to social anthropologists and sociologists, who study pics like these for the information they provide about the history of the family, family relationships, and society. I had never heard of artificial feather christmas trees until I read this book, and found that factoid very interesting--why do we always think the present is so unique? :> The notes provided about the nativity and Putz scenes taught me a few things about my own Czechoslovakian family heritage. I also found it of interest that many of the most common items shown in the photos are actually still being made and sold, in very similar form, today. Here in Southern California, we have an import store called "Cost Plus," and the traditions behind many of the items they offer at Christmastime were unknown to me until I read this book. Thanks for the lessons! SMS

Social lessons
This book is a little bit better organized and informational, if compared with the authors' similar volume, "Cherish Me Always, a Century of Dolls." The guide to photographic terms in the back and all of the other credits and references will be very useful for researchers. Once again, I am touched by how many of the people in these photos look so unhappy; I know it wasn't the style to smile, but c'mon! It was Christmas! The authors' books will also be of interest to social anthropologists and sociologists, who study pics like these for the information they provide about the history of the family, family relationships, and society. I had never heard of artificial feather christmas trees until I read this book, and found that factoid very interesting--why do we always think the present is so unique? :> The notes provided about the nativity and Putz scenes taught me a few things about my own Czechoslovakian family heritage. I also found it of interest that many of the most common items shown in the photos are actually still being made and sold, in very similar form, today. Here in Southern California, we have an import store called "Cost Plus," and the traditions behind many of the items they offer at Christmastime were unknown to me until I read this book. Thanks for the lessons! SMS