we are trying to have a community christmas event and our theme is going to be christmas past years---i need to know what decorations were used on the trees so we can decorate them and also what did santa wear in the earlier years?
2006-10-05 07:58:10 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
During that time period, the decorations were about the same as they are today. Not much variation between 1960 and 1990. And Santa looked the same in 1960 as he does today.
Here's some pictures of trees in 1960
http://hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/AmChristmas/1960/
That site also shows pictures of trees by decade. Click the links in the list on the left.
2006-10-05 08:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by Fall Down Laughing 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
---The Christmas tree lights were not the very small bulbs popular today, but much larger bulbs. There were two kinds of Christmas tree lights: very large outdoor screw-in bulbs, and smaller indoor screw-in bulbs. The screw bases were different sizes, and required different cords. Of course, the outdoor lights had to be waterproof. The lights did not flash in a pattern, or play tunes. The bulbs were of many different colors; I can't remember ever seeing a single-color tree or string of lights, as is common today. My favorite bulb was the kind with a big plastic base with a bulb in it, which would boil the liquid in a clear vertical tube, sending bubbles up the tube. These were screw-in bulbs; they were heavy and it was hard to find a branch big enough to support them. The ornaments were bigger than is common today, made of glass, not so detailed, and there were fewer of them; basically glass globes. The trees had less on them than is common today. There was often an angel at the very top. The trees were all green; we never had an artificial tree. I am thinking of the trees we had around 1960; the 1990 tree would be different, more like today's tree. Between 1960 and 1990 is a long time. I think Santa's appearance has not changed. ---Jim
2006-10-05 15:42:35 · answer #2 · answered by James M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the late 1960's we had a real tree always. The lights were real energy wasters but nice. Tinsel was big but we used ornaments we made at school. We also had a aluminum star that we still have and use every year. Turns out its a real collectors item.
2006-10-06 02:27:16 · answer #3 · answered by High C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Santa's costume hasn't changed much since Thomas Nast drew him in the late 1800's. In the 1960's, it seems like we used a lot more of the type of tinsel that you throw on the tree in strands, and that gets everywhere. We used a lot more glass and satin balls, too. A lot of the 1960's trees were white, and it seems like a lot used blue lights. In the 1970's, I seem to remember having more home-made or home-made looking ornaments, and more natural looking trees. Since I've had my own trees since the 1980's, I'm fairly frozen in time since then, since I collect Christmas ornaments and am rapidly running out of space. But from the 1980's on, it does seem like there are a lot more character ornaments, like the Coca Cola Santas, movie-themed ornaments, etc. Check out your local Hallmark store--they should be coming out with the latest soon, and many of them are part of different series that they have had for years.
2006-10-05 15:15:20 · answer #4 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Santa's clothing has not changed from a red far coat as long as I can remember. I mean, I have been around since the nineteen sevenitees and as for the decorations, in Africa, cotton puffs to resemble sweets or sweets in case you have the money, chocolates if you can get em. Gift boxes are a must do otherwise you will not have something to burst on the following day - 26th. Incidentally its my birthday so invite me too.
2006-10-05 15:18:37 · answer #5 · answered by Godfrey M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my parents kept the same xmas stuff and used it over and over. the lights that bubbled up were really cool. the big solid candy colored opaque bulbs that went outside (not sure how else to describe), tinsel seemed big back then, and we always had these really delicate handmade ornaments with glitter. And made strings of popcorn to go on the tree too.
2006-10-05 15:07:48 · answer #6 · answered by Autumn M 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
When I was a kid we used tinsel(made of tin strips) and popcorn strung on a piece of string to wrap around the tree and heavy old ornaments that when one got broken you got smacked.
2006-10-05 16:15:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In the 60's we had the big bulb lights and the big bubble lights with glass and painted glass ornaments.
2006-10-05 15:05:46 · answer #8 · answered by toff 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
anything-everything
2006-10-05 15:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by darkangel1111 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋