Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920s-1960s [Hardcover]

Susan Waggoner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2009

Oh, those Christmas memories. We all have them, locked away in our hearts. But what about the Christmases we weren’t there for? The one our favorite heirloom ornament came from, or the one we know only from a picture of our newlywed parents smiling under the mistletoe?

In Christmas Memories, Susan Waggoner, author of STC’s 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, the author presents detailed snapshots that re-create holiday 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 pop to life with vibrantperiod art. Readers will revel in the irresistible nostalgia of Christmas Memories.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Waggoner has written numerous books of fiction and nonfiction. She is the author of STC’s

It’s a Wonderful Christmas, Under the Tree, Classic Household Hints, and, with Robert Markel, Cocktail Hour, Vintage Cocktails, and Make Mine Vodka. Waggoner lives in New York City. 

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Stewart, Tabori & Chang (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584797894
• ISBN-13: 978-1584797890
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Holidays
  • #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Holidays > Christmas

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ahh! The memories..., November 3, 2009

By 

Robin Benson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920s-1960s (Hardcover)

I thought this was probably the best of Susan Waggoner's festive season books. It's a Wonderful Christmas: The Best of the Holidays 1940-1965 looked back to the 1940s to 1960s and Under the Tree: The Toys and Treats that Made Christmas Special, 1930-1970 focused on toys from 1930 to 1970. All three books follow the same format with the words backed up plenty of Christmas photos, illustrations and graphics.

I was rather disappointed with the feel of the two previous books because I thought they looked rather scrappy and didn't display the pictures and page graphics to the best advantage but I'm happy to say that this latest edition really captures the feel of the season from page one. It starts with the 1920s and runs up to the 1960s with a mixture of reminiscences from personalities and unknown folk, details of everyday life at Christmas time over the decades, quotes from books and period magazines but I think it's the illustrations that come across best. These are taken from period ads (lots of them) catalogs, Christmas cards, photos and more (perhaps the catalog pages could have been bigger to see the prices, though). Fortunately the design of the pages pulls all this material together to make the book a pleasure to browse through.

Well worth getting if you want to relive those nostalgic Yuletide memories or maybe, if you are young enough, you just want to find out why your parents are always raving about Christmas in those simpler times. Also worth checking out is Christmas Wishes: A Catalog of Vintage Holiday Treats and Treasures (Antiques Collectables) which has an amazing collection of commercial Christmas graphic items from the fifties and sixties.

***SEE SOME INSIDE PAGES by clicking 'customer images' under the cover.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Memories, October 25, 2009

By 

Nicholas Capozzi "jaguarboy" (the gold coast of L.I.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920s-1960s (Hardcover)

a real fun read it brings you back to your childhood if you;er over 50 and for those younger it will show you how to really enjoy the holiday

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful slice of nostalgia!, October 9, 2009

By 

Kim Beatty "Kim" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Christmas Memories: Gifts, Activities, Fads, and Fancies, 1920s-1960s (Hardcover)

This book is an amazing source of all things retro and Christmas. I haven't taken the time to sit down and read it thoroughly, but flipping through and looking at the photos was incredible. Lovely examples of decorations and ads from each era, it is sure to inspire any one who loves Christmas and the Holiday season to get in the mood!