Here is a glance back in time at Christmas trends in the past 90 years.
1922: In the roaring '20s Christmas was a big, festive celebration. Even though prohibition laws were in effect, that didn't stop folks from celebrating with sparkling punch or ginger ale. Reader's Digest was officially launched. And a great gift came to the world as the first successful insulin treatment for diabetes took place in Canada. Christmas trees were simple and were moving away from the actual candles that lit them. Cone shape lights were evolving from the former globe shaped lights. Glass ornaments were beginning to take over from home made paper ones. The top toys for this generation were Tinker Toys retailing at $1.75 and the Gyroscope valued at 19 cents. Popular Christmas voices were Ernest Hare who did his now timeless reading of 'Twas The Night Before Christmas in 1920. In 1921 Auld Lang Syne was penned and has become part of holiday culture.
1930s: During the era of the Great Depression, Christmas took on a more conservative nature. General Electric moved to bell shaped tree lamps called Mazda bells. Candelabra based lamps also became popular. A golden hair angel sat atop the Christmas tree. The decorations were simple, home made and some edible, especially the popular popcorn garland. Toys were few as finances did not enable otherwise, but the doll that had moving eyes was a much wanted gift on the list as well as model plane sets. New secular Christmas carols came to be like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
1940s: No Christmas lights were manufactured during the war years. Christmas may have meant loved ones were overseas involved in the Second World War. Those families who could afford the means to travel to be together, did so as it was an important way of coping with husbands, fathers, sons and brothers serving at war. Because of rationing, soap and sweets were in high demand for Christmas gifts. Gene Autry wrote and recorded Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and Buddy Clay recorded Winter Wonderland.
1950s: The use of aluminum for light bases became common, starting with General Electric. The artificial tree made its debut as did "icicles." Although winters in the '50s were known to be harsh, the large, rounded sedans took the family to their relatives to celebrate Christmas together. Moms and grandmas spent the day cooking the Christmas meal while dads and grandpas mulled over the current events, while children romped and played with the latest, popular toys they had received for Christmas - the hula hoop, Meccano building sets and Dinky toys. Gene Autry penned and recorded another popular children's Christmas song, Frosty the Snowman. Bing Crosby recorded It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Chrismas. Crosby would also later record White Christmas.
1960s: The psychedelic '60s brought expansion on a late '50s tradition of drinking to celebrate Christmas and men retreating to enjoy a cigar or pipe when visiting the relatives. The aluminum tree made its debut and was such a huge hit that the sale of string lights nosedived. Moms and grandmas spent nearly as much time backcombing their hair for the annual family photo as they did preparing the annual Christmas meal. Barbie was born and this popular girls' toy has never looked back. Matchbox toys were also popular and a spin-off of the '60s free will, psychedelic designs, Spirograph was a hit new toy. Brenda Lee rocked out a new, spunky Christmas tune Rocking Around the Christmas Tree. And Chubby Checker added another hip tune, Jingle Bell Rock.
1970s: Who can remember "bubbling" Christmas tree lights? Although later deemed a fire hazard, this popular new trend fascinated kids everywhere. Later in the '70s Christmas tree bulbs moved to the painted bulbs, with the paint peeling off by year two or three of use. Outdoor Christmas light displays became a neighbourhood trend. How many blue foreheads did the popular toy "The Klackers" cause? Lego became a trendy toy and has evolved into a big business in this era. The '70s were also the beginning of electronic games for gifts including Simon and Pong. Jose Felicano recorded Feliz Navidad and John Denver wrote and recorded Please, Daddy.
1980s: Christmas in the '80s expanded on the new tradition of large office Christmas parties, home entertaining for Christmas parties, as well as community Christmas events. The '80s kicked off the mini Christmas tree lights, a much welcome addition to the family tree. More elaborate exterior Christmas lights were becoming the rage, adding figurines and garland to the outdoor lights. Real trees were "in." Popular toys were the Rubik's cube and Cabbage Patch Dolls, which sent toy companies and retail stores into overdrive trying to keep up with the demand. The '80s Christmas music was defined by a unique and relatively unknown group called Boney M. Their electric tones and background music played accompaniment for the unique harmonized voices singing popular hymns like Mary's Boy Child.
1990s: The dancing lights made their debut. Whether for indoor or outdoor use, these lights appeared to be chasing, running, or dancing and added variety to the standard lit trees. Again, outdoor decorations became more elaborate adding distinctive Christmas symbols to house tops, Santa to roofs, and even outside trees were lit up. A strange new trend took over in action figures when Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers took over the toy markets. Buzz Lightyear also appeared later in the '90s. While Barbie had evolved into houses, vans, cars and pools making her still the most popular girl toy on the Christmas list. Christmas music in the 90s moved to pop stars recording their own rendition of popular Christmas carols.
2000s: When Y2K turned out to be a no show people were excited to celebrate Christmas new millennium style. LEDs were the way to go as they not only conserved energy but seemed much brighter and lasted much longer than their predecessors. Outdoor residential decorations became more and more elaborate, with the new trend of timing multiple lights to music flashing on and off and time to the beat. More figurines were added and the "blow up" lawn decorations broke out into dozens of different styles and sizes. Christmas carols were remade by artists of every genre, each recording a special Christmas album. Prelit Christmas trees were a hit with decorators tired of struggling to untangle lights. Electronic devices were all the rage, whether it was family entertainment like the Wii, or iPods and iPads. Interestingly enough, in this new millennium, this is also when "retro" trends were appearing as folks looked back at simpler times and desired to recreate their ambience and styles.
