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20th Century Christmas Shopping

Updated on Dec 15, 2022. Originally added on Dec 15, 2016 by Kathy Pinna

Shopping during the 1900s was a different experience than it is today. Now two decades (wow!) into the 21st century, online shopping is beginning to equal, if not outspend, the shopping at brick and mortar stores.

Things were very different not that long ago. In the 20th century people had to go out and shop - in great numbers.

A part of everyone's Christmas tradition was going to the stores and enjoying the sights and sounds: The beautiful window displays, the Christmas lights, the newest toys and clothes, visiting Santa, sometimes hearing carolers . . . and the crowds. Always the crowds.

Checkout this collection of photos highlighting the experience of Christmas shopping during the 1900s. Do these photos bring back memories?

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Christmas Shopping from 1900 to 1999

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Not a war . . . shoppers!

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1948 photo of a NYC store after Christmas shoppers have left.

1939 London

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Notice the sandbags lined up against the building. This was the first Christmas of World War II in England. The sandbags were supposed to protect the stores against bombs.

Window shopping

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1941 Los Angeles

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Christmas dolls, 1934

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A little girl window shopping for her Christmas wish!

The Bishop's Wife

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Loretta Young in the 1947 movie - one of the great Christmas movies. Cary Grant was a wonderful angel!

1910 New York City

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From tip to toe, they're loaded down!

Macy's Santa, 1924

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Look closely, the details are great!

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Macy's Santa, 1942

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Oh, a Christmas train!

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The Brandeis Department Store in 1960's Omaha.

1939 New York City

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Those are crowded sidewalks!

Christmas shoppers, Chicago

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Looks like the 1940's - what do you think?

Street Christmas card display

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Window Shopping at Christmas

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Shopping in London

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It's 1937, they're shopping for Christmas - and love the coats and sensible shoes!

Macy's, 1948

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It's Christmas Eve and shoppers are watching the animated toys in Macy's windows. It looks like Christmas music is being played over the speakers above the windows.

She's doing a bit of shopping!

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And I want a man to carry all my packages! Lucky girl.

1913 New York City

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Oh, the muffs! I always wanted a muff when I was a girl. They look so elegant!

New York City, 1945

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They look like they're having fun!

Crowd of shoppers, 1947

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The windows are "A Santa Claus Story" display.

1950's window shopping

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Looks like the women want china!

In the 1910's . . .

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They look like they're having fun shopping!

New York City

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Bet some of those toys move - that's the only way boys would be watching so intently.

Toys!

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1935 window display at Woolworth's on 5th Avenue.

Christmas Peddler

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1910 - and those boys are fascinated. I wonder what he's selling?

Have photos that you'd like to see included? Share your photos or click "next page" below to see a video of popular toys in the 1950's.

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