Photo: Gilbert “Gibby” Wyer in 1989, the year before he died. Courtesy of the Nantucket Historical Association.

Christmas Letters (part 1)

By Melissa Berry on December 19, 2023

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry shares a Christmas letter written by a WWII soldier stationed in North Africa in 1942... (Read More)

Illustration: “Merry Old Santa Claus” by Thomas Nast, from the 1 January 1881 edition of “Harper's Weekly.” Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Christmases Past: What Toys Did They Wish For?

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 18, 2023

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega searches old newspapers to find ads for toys, to see what was popular in past Christmases... (Read More)

Illustration: “The Christmas Tree” by Albert Chevallier Tayler, 1911. Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Christmas Memories – and Changing Celebrations (part 2)

By Jessica Edwards on December 11, 2023

In this article, Jessica Edwards describes Christmas traditions in her family, including a creche and some very special cookies... (Read More)

Christmas Memories – and Changing Celebrations (part 1)

By Jessica Edwards on December 6, 2023

Jessica Edwards writes about her mother’s descriptions of celebrating Christmas when she was a child, showing how the family celebrations have changed... (Read More)

Painting: “The Christmas Tree” by Albert Chevallier Tayler, 1911. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Christmas Superstitions, Part 4

By Jessica Edwards on December 27, 2022

In this article, Jessica Edwards describes some more superstitions our ancestors had about Christmas, many concerning ways to ensure good luck... (Read More)

Illustration: a sailor tries to kiss a young woman under a sprig of mistletoe. Credit: William Small.

Anecdotes of Christmas Kisses Past

By Melissa Berry on December 22, 2022

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry writes about kisses – some delightful, some unlawful – from Christmases past... (Read More)

Photo: a burning Yule log. Credit: Joe Malzone; Wikimedia Commons.

Christmas Superstitions, Part 3

By Jessica Edwards on December 21, 2022

In this article, Jessica Edwards describes some more superstitions our ancestors had about Christmas, focusing on the Yule log... (Read More)

Photo: Edward Rowe Snow, the "Flying Santa," dressed for duty in his plane with one of the packages he is delivering. Courtesy of Dorothy Snow Bicknell, daughter of Edward Rowe Snow.

Edward Snow: The ‘Flying Santa’ for Lighthouse Keepers

By Melissa Berry on December 20, 2022

In this article, Melissa Davenport Berry tells a heartwarming story of a generous man who embodied the Christmas spirit of giving... (Read More)

Photo: Barbie's first clothing designer, Charlotte Johnson, posing with 1965 Barbie doll model, 13 May 1964. Credit: Nelson Tiffany, Los Angeles Times; Wikimedia Commons.

Family Memories: My Favorite Christmas Gift

By Gena Philibert-Ortega on December 19, 2022

In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega suggests a topic to promote discussion and record family memories during the holidays: your favorite Christmas gift... (Read More)

Tag: Christmas