~ 1910
via what-i-found

~ DuPont Magazine, December 1949-January 1950
via Hagley Digital Archives
(click to enlarge)

“…you’ll find many gifts already wrapped in Cellophane at your favorite stores, or you may easily add this touch of glamour yourself.”

~ DuPont Magazine, December 1956-January 1957
via Hagley Digital Archives
(click to enlarge)

“Gift-packaged in simulated leather box”

~ Hartford Weekly Times - January 2, 1890
(click to enlarge)

“How many, in the secrets of their own hearts, rejoice when Christmas is over, and wish that it would stay over for much more than a twelve-month!”

But not to make too fine a point on the philosophy of the thing, it is apparent to the shallowest observer that this annual gift making is, of late years, carried to an excess that makes a burden of Christmas instead of a pleasure. The most joyous festival in the calendar is turned into a weariness and a dread to a large number of people, for what is more wearisome than the wearisome round of the shops in a vain attempt to solve the problem of purchasing pretty, if not aesthetic, presents, out of a treasury that runs far below the needs of the occasion? How many, in the secrets of their own hearts, rejoice when Christmas is over, and wish it would stay over for much more than a twelve-month? Can there not be a combination of both the wealthy and those of limited means, that this excessive gift-making may be reduced to more reasonable limits, to the relief of those of modest means, and to the re-establishing of the festival on the old joyous basis?

~ Osram ad, December 1953
via Grace’s Guide
(click to enlarge)

~ The Modern Retailer, v. 1, 1915
via HathiTrust
(click to enlarge)

“Thermos brings…in the hot summer months all the comforts produced by ice, and in the cold winter season all the joys to be obtained by fire.”

~ Nerlich &. Co., Toronto, Canada; General Catalogue, Season 1938-1939
via Library and Archives Canada
(click to enlarge)

“The Sleigh Santa Would Be Proud To Bring”

~ Fortune Magazine, December 1930
via Flickr
(click to enlarge)

“What a glorious gift for a woman to receive. What an ideal gift for you to give as an expression of true regard!”

This Xmas post is dedicated to the spirit of Mrs. Gover, who cooked for her family back in the 1890’s and wouldn’t have seen anything ridiculous about the idea of greeting the gift of a GE Refrigerator with “unspeakable joy”.

~ Ladies’ Home Journal, December 1903
via Harvard University Library
(click to enlarge)

” ‘Stevens’ means Safety, Accuracy and Reliability to the highest degree attainable, and makes Men out of Boys”

Let’s all hope that Santa isn’t prone to fits of roadrage…

~ The American Eagle Christmas Gifts, November 1918 (American Hardware Stores, Inc.)
via Harvard University Library
(click to enlarge)

Transparent baby not included.

~ December 1934
via Grace’s Guide
(click to enlarge)

“A broom! It’s what’s for Xmas!”

~ Whittier News, November 27, 1911
via Whittier Library Digital Archives

“Whittier Stocks for Holidays are Complete and Also Adequate”