Nostalgia vs. reality: the charming illusion of vintage Christmas scenes
Certainly, the holiday gatherings we hustle through today — often a scramble of cooking, cleaning and coordinating (not to mention the complexities of family dynamics) — seem worlds away from the serene, snowy scenes of our childhood memories.
These vintage Christmas scenes offer a glimpse into a holiday tableau that’s as neat and polished as a freshly wrapped gift — a stark contrast to the delightful chaos of our real-life festivities, painting a past that’s so perfect it’s almost fictional, stirring a yearning for a yuletide that, for most, was never quite the reality. But oh, how these images make us yearn for it anyway.
These pages — pulled from the heyday of print advertising — show a holiday spirit that’s been charming us for ages, long before digital took over. More than a mere rewind, this album charts the evolution of our holiday heartstrings (as plucked by savvy ad execs and magazine editors).
As you scroll from the post-war ’40s to the chilled-out ’70s, what unfolds is the art of Christmas commerce, a reminder of how these glossy scenes set the stage for our own holiday expectations.
More fantasy than reality? Sure, but it’s a treat to let ourselves indulge in the fantasy. Just remember to enjoy these picture-perfect vintage Christmas scenes without letting them set the bar unrealistically high for your own holiday hoopla.
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS SCENES FROM THE 1940s
Jim won’t need the wish-bone — they’ve got their Plymouth! (1947)
Wrapping the Christmas presents (1948)
A family Christmas celebration (1948)
“Mother – you always pick the grandest things.” (1947)
New gold wristwatches… and a train! (1948)
Playing with the new toy train (1947)
Cheers to the holidays (1947)
You don’t have to be a kid to love opening presents (1940s)
Holiday shopping with mother (1948)
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And when you walk down the street
Say hello to friends you know
And everyone you meet
A charming snowy winter scene (1946)
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas
Just like the ones I used to know
Where the treetops glisten and children listen
To hear sleigh bells in the snow
Little girl with some coffee for Santa (1948)
VINTAGE CHRISTMAS SCENES FROM THE 1950s
Welcoming happy guests for the holidays (1957)
Decorating a white Christmas tree in the 1950s
General Electric TV sets for Christmas, with a show starring Santa Claus (1950)
ALSO SEE: 50 vintage television sets from the 1950s: Wonders of the world in black & white
Taking the obligatory Christmas card photo (1954)
Sneaking a little beer in the kitchen (1950)
1950s family in their living room at Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go;
Take a look at the five and ten
It’s glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow
“It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas”
A brand-new sewing machine for mom (1951)
SEE MORE: Vintage Singer sewing machines from the ’50s: They’re sew classic
Surprise! A Nash car for a gift (1951)
An old-fashioned holiday scene, complete with sleighs (1951)
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one horse open sleigh
“Jingle Bells”
Ohhh Dad! It’s a Schwinn bike for Christmas (1951)
Christmas carolers (1952)
“Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” – Norman Vincent Peale
Illustration of a Christmas buffet and house party (1953)
Here we are as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us once more
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
A brand new luggage set for the family (1957)
Wrapping gifts and tying bows (1954)
Welcoming grandparents who bring presents (1954)
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see is the holly that will be
On your own front door
“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas”
ALSO SEE: These 26 Christmas wall decorations from the 1950s have a bold mid century modern vibe
Kids and their dog in front of the fireplace (1955)
Christmas mall shopping – up the escalator (1955)
Christmas toys and more for kids (1955)
Send a SANTAGRAM telegram this year! (1957)
SEE MORE: 30 gorgeous Christmas tree decorations from the 1950s that are timeless & eclectic
Wowe-e-e… A Schwinn Racer bike for Christmas! (1955)
An excited boy with his stocking (1956)
“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.” – Larry Wilde
Wrapping presents for the holidays (1956)
Christmas Eve will find me
Where the love light gleams
I’ll be home for Christmas
If only in my dreams
“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”
Father with a sleepy son after all the presents have been opened (1956)
“Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder
A Christmas party with singers (1956)
Wrapping holiday gifts in the living room (1956)
The Christmas table all ready for the dinner (1956)
Reading all of the yellow holiday telegrams (1957)
Putting up a Christmas leaf wreath (1957)
Using a new Kodak camera to take Christmas pictures (1958)
A Kodak Christmas (1959)
Christmas carolers and Coke (1959)
To you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Flocking the three… wreaths, branches and maybe the dog (1957)
Everybody liked beer for Christmas (1950)
A very happy boy with a firetruck Christmas gift (1953)
A Christmas party in 1953 with cards strung up and placed on the mantel
Dad wrapping up packages with the kids (1950s)
A girl wrapping piles of gift packages (1957)
How about a Christmas cup of coffee? (1956)
“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things — not the great occasions — give off the greatest glow of happiness.” – Bob Hope
Kids shopping for dad’s gift at the pharmacy (1955)
Relaxing over the holidays – how about a drink? (1957)
Anyone for punch and snacks? (1956)
Christmas party drinks (1952)
A quiet couple in front of the Christmas tree (1957)
Excited to decorate the house for Christmas (1950)
Oh, ho, the mistletoe
Hung where you can see
Somebody waits for you
Kiss her once for me
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
And in case you didn’t hear
Oh by golly, have a holly
Jolly Christmas this year
“Holly Jolly Christmas”
Putting cards and gifts on the Christmas tree (1953)
A cute Christmas scene – wrapping gifts and making cookies (1957)
“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” –
Peeking at the Christmas tree (1950s)
Kids watching a 1956 Christmas party
Kids with Christmas treats in (1952)
Mom and daughter with a watch as a gift (1950s)
Christmas tree lights and shiny tinsel (1956)
Through the years
We all will be together
If the fates allow
So hang a shining star upon the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now
“Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Christmas party with couples (1953)
Have a holly, jolly Christmas
It’s the best time of the year
I don’t know if there’ll be snow
But have a cup of cheer
“Holly Jolly Christmas”
Look – it’s a money order for Christmas! (1955)
Send a telegram for Christmas – Holiday greetings from Western Union (1955)
Serving eggnog at a holiday party in 1956
Taking a picture of the kids on Christmas morning (1957)
Winter holiday dinner – Midcentury modern style
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening
In the lane, snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
We’re happy tonight
Walking in a winter wonderland
“Winter Wonderland”
Vintage Christmas scenes from the 1960s
Ready to put the tinsel on the tree! (1960)
A very ’60s Christmas adults-only party
A grand staircase leading into the mansion’s living room (1961)
Girl looking in a magical mantel mirror (1962)
Holiday party – Opening the front door (1963)
Come on inside – Christmas at home (1966)
Christmas party at home (1967)
Pretty new presents (1967)
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” – Bob Hope
Enjoying holiday parties (1967)
A punchbowl full of eggnog (1968)
Drinks and appetizers for an elegant party at home (1962)
Cute crafty kids Christmas tree (1969)
Cute little girls in bed waiting for Santa (1962)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads
From “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore
Cute vintage Christmas scenes from 1964
“One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.” – Andy Rooney
New skis for Christmas (1964)
It’s a new board game! (1964)
Dad and daughter with Christmas treats (1964)
Schwinn bikes for Christmas (1968)
From “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” by Clement Clarke Moore
Vintage Christmas scenes: A family at home for Christmas (1964)
Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
‘Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
“Deck the Halls”
Kids with Christmas toys (1964)
A little pink Christmas tree in 1960
Vintage Christmas scenes from the 1970s
DON’T MISS:🎄1970s Christmas memories: Relive the magic through these vintage images & videos
Home for the holidays (1972)
Cute kids looking for Santa up the chimney (1972)
Seeing what’s inside the Christmas stockings (1978)
Gifts for everyone! (1971)
“Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.” – Peg Bracken
Kids and grandma making food with maple syrup (1971)
That’s a stuffed goose, basted with a syrup glaze; red cabbage boiled with water, vinegar and maple syrup; Scandiavnian fruit soup; and apple flan.
ALSO SEE: 14 vintage fudge recipes that are so famous & delicious, your grandmother probably made them
70s Christmas living room with presents (1979)
A sweet little girl asleep under the tree (1976)
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
NOW SEE THIS: How did people decorate Christmas trees in the 70s? See 55 different ways
One Response
The photos and headings were glorious. Makes one long for those days!