Christmas Spirit Back In The Day
Take a short trip with me back in time and experience the joys of a retro 1950s Christmas, from aluminum Christmas trees to bubble lights and Barbie.
Christmas Dinner
Though menus shifted as new options were introduced, holiday fare always included recipes passed down through the generations, with the main course centered on an impressive cut of meat.
Green bean casserole, invented in 1955 by Campbell Soup Co., remains a popular addition to holiday menus.
In the post-war 1950s, cream cheese, bacon, and spinach were the foundation of appetizers and side dishes.
Aluminum Christmas Trees
The aluminum Christmas tree was introduced in 1958.
More than a million of the trees were welcomed into American homes until they fell out of favor in the mid-1960s.
If families chose a real tree, they covered it in glittering tinsel.
Bubble Lights
Bubble lights were all the rage in the late 1940s and ’50s.
The 27-inch tree has 18 lights that ‘bubble’ once their liquid reaches a certain temperature.”
Christmas Parades
Millions watched Christmas parades showcasing the amazing balloon confections in the late 1940s and into the ’50s.
Inspired by the giant balloons at Macy’s parade in New York City, there were smaller versions produced for parades in small towns.
This 1952 parade in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, featured more than 40 balloons.
Top Toys
Many new toys were introduced in the 1950s.
Consumers went nutty over Silly Putty when the novelty item debuted in 1950.
When Hasbro introduced Mr. Potato Head in 1952, there was no potato—kids had to use a real spud.
Play-Doh showed up in 1956, the Frisbee (originally dubbed the Pluto Platter) in 1957, and the Hula Hoop in 1958.
Beloved Dolls
Dolls still stand atop many a child’s Christmas list. But the kind of dolls they’ve desired over the decades have been as varied as Barbie’s wardrobe.
The Vogue Doll Company’s Ginny dolls took girls by storm during the 1950s.
Sweet Sue dolls were also popular. But since the 1959 launch of Barbie, the doll world has never been the same.
Large Family Gatherings
In those days, when most family members lived within a few miles of each other, large holiday gatherings were the norm.
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins all assembled, as in this family photo.
Bedtime Stories
For some families, Christmas Eve wouldn’t be the same without a special story. After hanging stockings and putting out Santa’s snack, their mother read the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Festive Attire
It was common for people to dress up for Christmas in the 1950s. Even the trees wore their best.
