Santa Claus in Puritan New England and the rise of American Christmas
A historical overview traces Christmas in the colonies from Puritan rejection in Massachusetts to Hollanders in New Amsterdam celebrating with home made gifts. It notes scarce toys, Dutch and English influences, and shifts after New York’s English takeover. The piece covers Virginia cheer, wartime deprivations at Valley Forge, and postwar revival as Santa returned to distribution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Santa Claus
Massachusetts
Geraldine Ames
Churchman
New Amsterdam
Virginia
Church of England
New York
Far
Valley Forge
Remember Old Friends Holiday Card Fragments
A reader recalls a long overdue Christmas greeting from an old friend nicknamed Bill. Emotions mix nostalgia with pride as Mary shows off a scarf from Aunt Susie while the colored postcard carries Bill’s remembered signature and holiday cheer.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bill
Mary
Susie
George
First Christmas Card Origin
A fragment explains the early Christmas card origin with Sir Henry Cole and the 1846 creation. It notes the card’s novelty compared with older Yuletide customs and hints at its purpose for friends.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Camento
World
Henry Cole
Lore of the Yule Log in Medieval Christmas Folk Belief
The article recounts Yule log lore from medieval England linking the log to Christmas revels and feudal meals, ash tree origins, and luck tied to last year’s log. It notes the Christmas candle’s parallel, the 12 day festivity, and St John’s College Oxford’s Agnus Dei socket where the candle sat. It mentions Manx customs of long tapers to church on Christmas Eve.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
England
St. John's College
Oxford
Isle of Man
Christmas Romance Amid Tight Finances
Jeanette and George share a tender moment as he proclaims her the light of his life, but she bluntly notes their financial strain and his lack of funds. The dialogue hints at a deeper relationship under pressure from money problems.
Also Mentioned on This Page
A. Bauder & Son
Polk, Nebraska
Kummin Ost
Bond Ost
Alaska
Anchovis
D. N. Carlson, Propr
Hokenson
Andrew Lind
Strand Ltr
Santa
Yule
Jeanette
Progress Office
W. J. Lewis
Clarks, Neb
C.R. “Peterson
King, Bittner & Campbell Attorneys-At-Law
Osceola, Nebr
W. L. Hull
Farmers State Bank
R. L. Peterson
Polk
John Plessinger
DR. Jackson
Chiropractor
Stromsburg
Nebraska
D. H. Westfall
M. D
Variety Store
J.R. Leibee
F. B. Sin Éser
I Polk
T.yrrculosis Association
Red Cross
Bradshaw
Hampton
W. CG. P. Thompson & Hayhurst
C. B. Palmer Jr
A. C. Quillen
Polk Machine
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