Ever wondered how people celebrated Christmas 100 years ago? From Victorian trees to turkey dinners and humble family photos to fabulous festivities at the White House, click or scroll on to discover vintage Christmas images of holiday celebrations through the decades. Click or scroll on for more...
So many festive traditions date back to the Victorian period, particularly the Christmas tree. Queen Victoria mentioned having Christmas trees in the drawing room in her diaries as early as 1832 thanks to her German-born mother, Charlotte, who brought the tradition with her from her German homeland.
Decorating a fir tree really took off in the 1840s, when an engraving of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the young royal family festooning their own tree became an incredibly popular picture in England.
At first glance, this Santa could be from any Christmas past. Instantly recognisable in his red and white outfit as he busily stuffs stockings with toys, he’s just as familiar today as ever. But look more closely, and you’ll see he’s actually of a different time. There’s no smart tech inside this Santa’s sack!
That’s because the image dates to the late 19th century. It’s a colourised stereoscopic photo, which means it appears 3D when viewed through special binoculars. Vintage virtual reality!
If you’ve ever prodded your folks into posing next to the Christmas tree for a quick selfie: this is the Victorian version. It displays all the psychodrama of modern family festivities: fed-up kids, a distracted dad, a grumpy teenager and a mother grimly determined that everyone has a good time. Then there’s the dramatic older sister, reclining on the floor.
Dating to 1895, it shows how little human nature changes – although the décor definitely does!
There are plenty of mouths to feed in this tightly-packed family group, dating from about 1900. Cakes, biscuits, tea and an enormous pie are set out for guests to devour and paper ornaments hand from the rafters.
Despite the fine feast before them, the family looks a bit downcast. Perhaps they’re getting fed up of waiting, as in those days you had to sit perfectly still for about 15 minutes to get a non-blurry photo!
A middle-class American family from the early 20th century are posed next to their massive Christmas tree, decorated with enormous dolls! The toys look like angel figures, placed between shiny baubles and garlands we'd still use today. On the floor, a toy train and a fancy go-kart are what Santa left for the children under the tree.
In this somewhat solemn portrait from 1921, a family in Germany gathers together in a grand-looking living room on Christmas Eve. Candles illuminate the Christmas tree – an anachronism we've since replaced with electric fairy lights. The branches are decorated with baubles and streamers.
On the sofa, a young child shows off a play pram, loaded with ornate dolls, a large teddy bear and a fur throw. Meanwhile, older family members studiously pose with open books, which may well be Bibles.
This happy homespun scene shows festivities with a powerful political woman. It’s Christmas time with the original FLOTUS Eleanor Roosevelt at the home of her daughter Anna Roosevelt Boettiger in Seattle, Washington in the mid-1930s. Her grandson Curtis and granddaughter Anna look delighted to be receiving gifts from Grandma.
The tree is straining under the amount of tinsel strewn across it but it's a scene we can all recognise as if it were yesterday.
Bringing back memories of racing downstairs to see what Santa had delivered, this photo from about 1937 perfectly captures how generations of children have felt on that most exciting of mornings. This lucky duo has gifts galore, including a train set, doll’s house, bike, toy pram and a doll in a cot.
The smart baubles on the tree and glittering tinsel add a sparklingly magical feel to the room.
Here's a quiet moment of reflection and prayer for a family gathered at a Thanksgiving meal, in the late 1930s.
Turkey is a traditional food served at both Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can see this family has a great big bird to tuck into with all the trimmings. The tasteful pair of floral paintings and fancy dresser with silverware on it suggest someone in the family has a flair for fashionable interior design.
In this endearing family photo from the 1940s, iconic American actress Penny Singleton, star of the Blondie movie franchise, reads a Christmas story to her young daughters Dorothy and Robin in front of the fireplace. Above the trio, a beautiful holly wreath adorns the pine-clad walls.
Today, many of us hang festive stockings designed for the holidays in our homes. Here, we see an early iteration of this tradition, as an assortment of socks from each family member are pinned artistically over the hearth.
A picture-perfect mother and daughter duo unwrapping their Christmas gifts in the early 1940s. The brick fireplace with flames roaring in the hearth gives a cosy feel to the scene.
The Christmas tree is a real one, although the first bristle-style artificial model was created in 1930 by the Addis Brush Company, a British toilet bowl brush manufacturer. The firm used the same brush bristles for the artificial trees as were used to make the loo brushes – just dyed green!
This wonderfully retro Christmas snapshot of a family in 1948 shows the oldest child taking centre stage in his newly-gifted football player costume. He’s also got an impressive-looking toy fire truck, with movable ladders, to go with the outfit.
After the Second World War, Christmas tree ornaments were mass-produced, meaning more people had access to inexpensive festive decorations, like the glass lights on this tree.
What’s inside the boxes? These 1950s siblings can’t wait to rip into their beautifully wrapped pressies. The three stockings hanging from the bookcase are a traditional part of Christmas.
One legend about the origins of this custom is that Saint Nicholas, the real-life inspiration for Santa, secretly left the first Christmas gifts inside stockings hanging to dry over the fireplace of an impoverished family.
Of course, the flamboyant late entertainer Liberace wanted to have the biggest and best decorations in his neighbourhood. He's pictured here in 1955 adorning his California home with bright lights. A talented pianist who became a popular TV entertainer, Liberace’s illuminated outdoor decorations included Santa at the piano, a reindeer and candelabra.
Just to ensure his home was the best on the block, Liberace added a speaker to his display to pump out his own music into the night. Hope the neighbours didn't mind!
In this candid 1960s snap, a family of four pauses for a photo as they unwrap presents on the floor.
Homemade paper chain garlands hang over the fireplace and across a grand, glass-fronted china cabinet. A velvet lampshade stands askew, perhaps knocked over during the frivolities of decorating. Vibrant-hued balloons decorate the hearth, along with a small tree decked out in red, green, gold and black baubles.
A nostalgic shot from the 1960s, which captures an early American-style fireplace dressed for the season and providing warmth and light with a roaring fire. The rocking chair is tantalisingly piled with gifts and the paired-back decorations of pine cuttings, artfully arranged along the mantelpiece, fit in perfectly with this simpler style.
Even the hardest of hearts can’t fail to be warmed by this super-cute picture of children at a Christmas party in the early 1960s. In their best outfits, one little guy has even held onto part of the buffet for this festive snap.
A rare glimpse behind the scenes of a Kennedy family Christmas at the White House. Taken in 1962, the posed picture has become a much more candid snapshot than originally intended, as family pets misbehave and children get distracted.
Dominating the image is President Kennedy, while First Lady Jacqueline struggles to stop their dog from munching on a Christmas decoration! Others in the shot include John F Kennedy Junior, Jackie’s sister Lee Radziwill and her husband Prince Radziwill.
It's a picture-perfect family Christmas from 1965, with three generations gathered around the table ready to pounce on the tasty turkey. The décor is dominated by the traditional and seasonal bright red colour of the table covering, which nicely matches Grandma's outfit!
With plenty of clashing patterns on the sofa, curtains and cushions, the towering tree in this 1960s sitting room just about stands out as the focal point! The fir is festooned with tinsel, which is meant to mimic dangling icicles.
Invented in Germany in 1610, tinsel was originally made from strands of silver precious metal – very fancy. But the tinsel on this tree is likely to be made from aluminium or even lead foil, which was later banned for fear of lead poisoning!
Ever remember such a harmonious, neat and wholesome family Christmas? Neither does anyone else!
While this image is probably posed by models, it does give insight into 1960s interior trends. For instance, the compact, artificial tree with mass-produced decorations fits neatly into the room rather than dominating it. Notice the fashionable marble-topped coffee table. The toy train on tracks was on almost every little boy's Christmas list during this decade.
Ready for the family to appear, this picture of Christmas in 1969 is packed full of traditional treats. The presents, fire, stockings and tree all look invitingly festive. Notice how tinsel strands have been replaced with a more modern tinsel garland.
The surprise in the room is the full-sized spinning wheel. While miniature versions were popular for kids during this decade, this one is no child’s toy. Must have been on somebody’s crafty Christmas wish list.
If anyone knows how to do Christmas in style, it's the Vanderbilt dynasty. Pictured here in 1960, the late Gloria Vanderbilt, an American artist and heir to the family railroad fortune, stands with her first husband, writer Wyatt Cooper, in front of their Christmas tree.
The couple were photographed just before throwing a lavish party in their New York apartment. The sparkling tree behind them features beaded garlands, glittering baubles and ornate pendants.
Gloria and Wyatt's son is none other than Anderson Cooper, the famous American broadcast journalist.
Bursting with personality, this festive setup from the early 1970s boasts a bulbous tree with traditional tinsel strands. The tree is covered in the newly invented shiny silk baubles which became ubiquitous during this decade and beyond.
The earthy tones of the wallpaper, carpet and curtains blend in nicely with the festive theme, but these colours were actually very popular interior design shades during the 70s anyway.
Fast forward more than a decade and this incredibly retro scene shows a normal living room during the holidays in 1970s England. There’s a garland of Christmas cards strung above the gas fire, with more on the mantelpiece and tacked to the wall – this person was clearly very popular!
Anyone born before a certain time will remember these tinsel trees, and the pile of presents, chocolates and festive tipples are within arm’s reach for easy access.
In this photogenic family scene from the 1970s, the children are entertaining mum and dad with their new toys. Despite the traditional Christmas embellishments, this interior looks typical of the decade, with a pop of bright colour on the sofa upholstery and a bold pattern across the cushion. And isn't that the most luxurious shag pile carpet you've ever seen?!
Notice the family’s feline companion, who is staring directly at the camera – as if to say: I’m ready for my close-up!
Today, you can be in the same room as a family member but barely exchange a word due to the digital distractions of smartphones.
Perhaps that makes you yearn for the simple pleasures of Christmas past, when parents and children spent quality time reading or playing together, like the happy family pictured here. It’s easy to spot which decade the photo is from as, aside from the fashion, the colours and pattern on the rug and curtains are a dead giveaway for the 1970s.
She doesn’t know it yet but this little girl’s Christmas gift will put her at the forefront of one of the 1970s hottest trends: roller skating. While undoubtedly posed, this picture does evoke the decade perfectly.
It’s Christmas morning in this smart 1970s home. However, there is a nod to technology tucked neatly next to the window. It's the latest sound system in its wooden casing with the records stacked underneath.
The Christmas stockings look handmade by the children – how sweet! Then, you can see those classic Seventies silky baubles once again, shining on the tree!
The floppy hair, the shoulder pads and enough tinsel to bring down Santa’s sleigh – yes, it’s undeniably the 1980s in this Christmas picture.
While the fashions may have dated, it’s not too long ago that gold beads and red ribbons were still adorning our trees. They’ll no doubt be back on trend if you wait long enough!
Take a look at these two famous faces busy sprucing up the White House Christmas tree in 1983. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan are adding the final touches to their festive fir. We love the reindeer or horse pattern on Mr President’s Christmas jumper!
King Carl Gustaf and his wife Queen Silvia of Sweden pictured in 1988 with their three young children; Princess Victoria, Prince Carl Philip and the baby Princess Madeline. The photo was taken at Stockholm Castle, which was beautifully decorated for the festive season.
In addition to a huge tree, there is a Scandinavian gnome and a straw reindeer made in the traditional folk style typically associated with Christmas in Sweden.
Wow! The Clintons' decorations for the White House Christmas of 2000 certainly are full-on. There’s barely an inch of the tree left undecorated here. These holiday trees, which stand in the diplomatic reception room of the president’s official residence, have been adorned with homespun needlepoint stockings in honour of the chosen theme of holiday reflections. So jolly!
Loved this? Like and follow us on Facebook for more retro homes and vintage interiors