20th Century Christmas Shopping
Updated on Dec 23, 2020.
Originally added on Dec 15, 2016 by
Kathy Pinna
Now 2 decades (wow!) into the 21st century, online shopping is beginning to equal the shopping at brick and mortar stores. But 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.
These are photos of those days of physically shopping during Christmastime. Do you miss some of it? Do you still at least go to a mall to experience Christmas sights and sounds? Or are you happy that with a click of your mouse, your shopping is done?
These are photos of those days of physically shopping during Christmastime. Do you miss some of it? Do you still at least go to a mall to experience Christmas sights and sounds? Or are you happy that with a click of your mouse, your shopping is done?
Topics:
20th Century Christmas Shopping
Not a war . . . shoppers!
1948 photo of a NYC store after Christmas shoppers have left.
1939 London
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.
Christmas dolls, 1934
A little girl window shopping for her Christmas wish!
The Bishop's Wife
Loretta Young in the 1947 movie - one of the great Christmas movies. Cary Grant was a wonderful angel!
Oh, a Christmas train!
The Brandeis Department Store in 1960's Omaha.
Christmas shoppers, Chicago
Looks like the 1940's - what do you think?
Moments in Time
