{"id":9169,"date":"2014-12-17T16:31:24","date_gmt":"2014-12-17T16:31:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=9169"},"modified":"2021-04-21T11:12:22","modified_gmt":"2021-04-21T15:12:22","slug":"christmas-toys-gifts-from-yesteryear-in-old-newspaper-ads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/christmas-toys-gifts-from-yesteryear-in-old-newspaper-ads.html","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Toys & Gifts from Yesteryear in Old Newspaper Ads"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction<\/em><\/strong>: In this article, Gena\u00a0Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find advertisements for the toys our ancestors wanted for Christmas. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.<\/span>\u201d
\n<\/em><\/p>\n

There\u2019s no doubt that Christmas is more exciting when you are young. There\u2019s the anticipation of getting that special toy or two from your Christmas list. The thrill of running from your room to the Christmas tree that morning to see what Santa brought you. My guess is that December was one of the months you looked forward to growing up.<\/p>\n

What was your favorite gift as a child? I\u2019m amazed when I look through old newspapers \u2013 like those in GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a> \u2013 to see how similar the toys are to ones sold now.<\/p>\n

1930 Toy Store Has Everything<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the vintage holiday newspaper advertisement for the Cullum & Boren Co. below, toys including footballs, magic sets, and dolls are all items you would see on modern-day kids\u2019 lists. Sure, not everything is the same; there are a few items that are specific to that time period, like big bang tractors and keystone toys. What\u2019s interesting is that while today\u2019s retailers appeal to parents\u2019 pocketbooks by claiming low prices, in this advertisement the store boasts of having everything from 25-cent toys to the most \u201celaborate and expensive on the market.\u201d I guess that\u2019s a 1930s way of saying they have something for everyone.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Dallas Morning News (Dallas, Texas), 7 December 1930, section: Society, Art, Music, Amusements, Radio, page 3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toys for \u201cReal Boys\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

For those who like their children\u2019s toys educational, this 1919 Christmas advertisement for the A. C. Gilbert Company asserts that \u201creal boys want real toys \u2013 not mere playthings\u2026\u201d These toys mimic occupations that would help a boy grow to \u201cuseful manhood.\u201d While some of the toys mentioned lean toward the fanciful, like the magic set, others \u2013 like the chemistry, soldering and wireless sets \u2013 would have had more latter-day applications for young boys. Notice that one of the toys mentioned is a machine gun:<\/p>\n

A real machine gun, shooting wooden bullets in clips from an air cooled chamber. Modeled after the famous Browning gun. Swivels around to fire in any direction and at different elevations. Fires ten shots a second but is not dangerous… it will delight any red-blooded boy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), 14 December 1919, page 25<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Toy Makers: Disabled British Soldiers<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are always surprises to be found in old newspapers that educate us about the social history of the time. In this Christmas toy advertisement imploring parents to shop now to get toys that will \u201cgladden the hearts of children,\u201d there is also a mention at the bottom of the ad about new toys from England. These children\u2019s toys are made by British soldiers \u201cdisabled at the front.\u201d This 1918 advertisement from the Halle Bros. Co. would have served as a poignant reminder to readers that the pain and suffering caused by World War I meant that not everyone was having a merry Christmas. The war ended three days after this newspaper ad was published.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 8 November 1918, page 2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christmas Shopping Countdown<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you a last-minute Christmas shopper? Christmas falls on December 25 each year but inevitably the stores are saturated with shoppers picking up those last-minute holiday gifts in the days and hours before the big day. Seems this was true for our ancestors as well. This old advertisement from Herpolsheimer\u2019s, published just two days before Christmas, urges Michigan shoppers to hurry (\u201cshop in the morning if possible\u201d) for their toy trains, doll chests, pop guns, and ice skates.<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Grand Rapids Press (Grand Rapids, Michigan), 23 December 1910, page 14<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Toy Department<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the common themes of Christmas advertising from generations past is the opening of the toy department. These announcements, including a list of featured toys, can be found in many old newspaper advertisements. This 1914 example encourages adults to bring their children \u2013 or even other people\u2019s children \u2013 to see the new and complete toy department. Wolf, Wile & Co. were opening their re-stocked toy department on November 30 to give shoppers a start on their Christmas shopping, promising that their \u201clargest and finest assortments of toys we have ever had\u201d make their toy department:<\/p>\n

The Land of Toys\u2014the Land of Joys\u2014
\nThe Land of Delight for girls and boys.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Lexington Herald (Lexington, Kentucky), 29 November 1914, section 3, page 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christmas No Longer as Exciting?<\/strong><\/p>\n

And of course Christmas wish lists aren\u2019t just for the kids. But it would seem that once you become an adult your wish list becomes more \u201cpractical.\u201d In this 1906 holiday advertisement from The Emporium, we are provided with ideas for gifts for the \u201colder folks\u201d like dishes, pots & pans, glasses and silverware. This vintage newspaper ad reminds you that you should \u201cGet mother something that she will appreciate and that may be enjoyed by the whole family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Christmas<\/a>
Colorado Springs Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colorado), 1 December 1906, page 6<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yep, that\u2019s just what we mothers like: pots, pans or something the whole family will enjoy (sarcasm fully intended<\/em>). What\u2019s on your Christmas wish list this year?<\/p>\n

Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n

Related Christmas Gift Articles & Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n