Midcentury Christmas: Holiday Fads, Fancies, and Fun from 1945 to 1970

This is a colorful book filled with treasured nostalgia for those of us who grew up from the 1950s through the 1970s. Some items shown were before my time, while other photos instantly brought back memories of Christmas past as a child. I enjoyed reading about the vintage glass ornaments by Corning Ware and how they evolved. Corning also made the Shiny Brite ornaments, which are now made in China by Christopher Radko. So if you can find some USA-made Shiny Brites from the 1950s-70s, you're in luck. The chapter on lighting is interesting in that I've seen some of those strings of lights in antique shops. I am partial to the old C6 lamps on trees; the small mini-lights of today do not compare to the colorful beauty of the larger lights, but they're much safer. The chapter on Aluminum trees is my favorite, because my grandmother used to have a silver one she'd decorate with red Shiny Brite ornaments. Viewing the chapter immediately brought me back to Christmas at my grandmother's apartment. And who could forget Lucy's love of aluminum trees in "A Charlie Brown Christmas"? Favorite Christmas toys are discussed, including the Slinky, which I had as a child and the Chemcraft Chemistry set! Since most women were housewives, DIY Christmas was big during the 1950s-60s; popular Christmas crafts and recipe books are featured. I recall my mother made a large ball out of recycled Christmas cards that was a popular project. Ms Archer left no stone unturned when it comes to MidCentury Christmas.I purchased the stocking stuffer edition as a present for my brother-in-law, but wanted the full-sized edition for myself and my young son. I was delighted to find an inexpensive used copy here on Amazon through a 3rd party seller. The full-sized edition is OOP, but the stocking stuffer edition is available on Amazon.If you want a trip down memory lane of your Christmas past, purchase this book and savor every page. It will make a great book for your holiday coffee table and quite a conversation-starter. It makes a wonderful gift for friends, your kids or grandkids. The younger generation can get a good idea of what Christmas was like for Baby Boomers. Happy Holidays!

This is now one of my favs for nostalgic Christmas books! Born in 1954 into a military family, we moved to Germany, and did not return to the U.S. until 1960.I lean toward German traditions, but remember a few things from mid-century from visits to relatives, and enjoy seeing and reading more about that time.The author’s opinions on some points of history are different, but I felt quite viable, and caused me to think in terms of case and effect in the development of our perceived Christmas traditions.My mom wasn’t “crafty,” but loved the women’s magazines of the day. We loved the colorful pics and home interiors not to be had with military movers man-handling belongs through changes of duty station, and would wear out the magazines looking at them.Sarah has filled this book with many images which capture the feel of Christmas during those years. I might have liked to see more from other companies, but Reynolds, GE, Alcoa and Better Homes & Gardens were at the forefront, and have the more evocative images for the U.S.This book is a delight! Well written, wonderfully illustrated, and filled with “warm Christmas fuzzes” to last for months.

I gifted this to my dad for Christmas. He loves anything mid century and he loved it!

As a Baby Boomer, it was fun to see the memories of my 1960's childhood and to see the holidays from what would be the perspective of my parents. It's amazing with whole chapters devoted to aluminum trees, Christmas cards, decorations, shopping, etc.

Had some bonus points so I thought I'd knock 'em out with some little Christmas book that I could put out during the season. About 10 pages in I looked up and said WOW...this is really GOOD! It has beautiful pictures and photos, all printed on quality, heavy paper. The writing is good and the author really knows about Christmas celebrations in history....and in the modern United States. And this book is funny, too: It starts with a great dedication: "To My Mother, Who Has The Same Handwriting as Santa Claus."

Bought this for my sister for Christmas! Looked through it, and even though I am nine years younger, it still brought back a lot of good Christmas memories! I know it will for her, too!

It is the perfect gift for my husband who loves items from this era. It will take him back to happier times and wonderful memories shared with family!

Great book. Fun and fascinating!Gave as Christmas presents this year.Two recipient reviews:"Love the book--Ignoring kids and immersing myself in "futuristic nostalgia" right now""Thank you so much for sending me the book of Christmas memories which seems like it was written just for me. It addresses the years right after I was born and during the period when I grew up--I think I believed in Santa Claus most of the time she covers in her book right up to 1970!"

I would have thought that it was an extremely niche market - those of us who enjoy looking at images of vintage christmas stuff - however looking at the plethora of books available I see that I was wrong. This book fits neatly in the group of those that are a pleasure to read at any time of the year - well presented and the images are wonderful. For those of us who like this kind of stuff, this is the kind of stuff we like.

I bought this to put out at Christmas. Looks great on the coffee table near my aluminum Xmas tree.