The history of Christmas traditions changed enormously in the 19th century, when most of the familiar components of the modern Christmas including St. Nicholas, Santa Claus, and Christmas trees, became popular. Check out these 19 fascinating vintage photographs and see how people celebrated Christmas from the early 20th century.
![]()
|
| A Christmas tree in an Edwardian parlour, ca. 1905. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| At Christmas toy hawkers, like this one on Ludgate Hill and Holborn, thronged the streets of London, 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| New York's Christmas tree for the homeless waiting to be erected in Madison Square, 27th December 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| A Christmas advertising scheme at Watling Street, London, 20th December 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Christmas entertainments at the Hospital for Sick Children in Great Ormond Street, London, 30th December 1913. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| A soldier carrying a christmas tree, December 1915. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Father Christmas reading with three young children, ca. 1915. (Photo by Spencer Arnold/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Children carrying holly and mistletoe, December 1915. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Christmas trees being delivered for the members of the American army staying at the Palace Hotel in London, December 1918. (Photo by J. J. Lambe/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| A young sailor buys a Christmas tree at a greengrocer's and a young boy waits in a queue of children to buy some mistletoe, 24th December 1918. (Photo by A. R. Coster/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| A family sitting down for tea at Christmas time, 21st December 1919. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Two little boys dragging home their Christmas tree after choosing it at London's Covent Garden Market, ca. 1920. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| The interior of a tube train decorated with foliage for the Christmas Season, ca. 1922. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Three girls on Christmas morning delighted with their gifts from Father Christmas, 15th December 1925. (Photo by Basset Lawke/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| A crowd of happy youngsters chase Father Christmas along a London street. He is on his way to a south London store to distribute presents, 2nd November 1926. (Photo by H. F. Davis/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Children from the Royal Caledonian School enjoying a festive Christmas pageant on an open top bus which is carrying Santa and his helpers through the streets, December 1926. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) |
![]() |
| Christmas carol singers in a London suburb, 1927. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
![]()
|
| Boys of Ardingly School at the start of the Christmas holidays, 1926. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images) |
![]()
|
| A little girl taking home her Christmas Tree, bought from Caledonian Road Market, London, 1929. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images) |
