46 Amazing Photos Capture People Gathering on Christmas Day in the First Half of the 20th Century
Christmas wasn’t just about religion; it became a worldwide celebration, bringing joy and goodwill to everyone and weaving itself into the cultural traditions of different nations.
People often gather with family and friends, exchange gifts, enjoy special meals, and participate in traditions like decorating Christmas trees and singing carols. The holiday is celebrated by people of various cultures and beliefs, and it has become a season of spreading goodwill and happiness.
These amazing vintage photos were found by Vintage Cars & People that captured people gathering on Christmas Day from between the 1920s and 1950s.
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| Three dapper fellows celebrating Christmas in the parlor of a colonial home. They are wearing shirts and ties, white slacks, striped socks, and brogue-type shoes, circa 1920s |
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| Two formally dressed couples posing next to a Christmas tree in an upper-middle-class home, circa 1920s |
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| A company of five posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in the corner of a middle-class living room, circa 1930s |
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| A company of seven celebrating Christmas in the dining room of a middle-class home. Glasses filled with beer and a plate of snacks can be seen on the table. A Fox Terrier is sitting on the lap of the lady in the front, circa 1930s |
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| A fellow in a pinstripe suit and his pet Terrier relaxing in an armchair under the Christmas tree in an upper-middle-class home, circa 1930s |
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| An elegant lady in an elaborate evening dress and a white apron posing in a chair next to a richly decorated Christmas tree. Two ancient radio sets can be seen behind her, circa 1930s |
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| Three young ladies posing underneath a Christmas tree in a lower-middle-class kitchen. They are wearing woolen sweaters and cardigans, circa 1930s |
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| Two young ladies – probably sisters – decorating the Christmas tree in a middle-class home. They are dressed in identical Tai Chi-style leisure suits, circa 1930s Advertisement
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| A little fellow proudly posing in his pedal car underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree. The words “Weihnachten 1934” are handwritten on reverse |
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| A company of four raising their glasses in a dining room with a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in the corner, 1939 Advertisement
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| A group of seven stylish ladies posing in an American middle-class home. The words “Saturday, January 7, 1939” are handwritten on reverse |
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| Two cheerful ladies posing at the coffee table in a middle-class home. The following words in German are handwritten on reverse “Freundin Elisabeth aus Thüringen – 1942” (Elisabeth, a friend from Thuringia – 1942) |
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| A family of three posing in front of a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class living room. The print is dated “1943” on reverse |
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| A slightly melancholy-looking lady posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree, December 24, 1946 |
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| Two couples and a toddler posing in a middle-class living room. The words “Sylvester 1946/47” (New Year’s Eve 1946) are handwritten on reverse |
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| A family of three decorating the Christmas tree in the living room of a middle-class home. The print is dated “1947” on reverse |
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| Four ladies posing in an American middle-class living room. Note the abundance of presents underneath the large tinsel-covered Christmas tree. The words “Xmas 1947” are handwritten on reverse |
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| Two ladies posing in front of a Christmas tree in a sun-drenched living room, circa 1948 |
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| Two elegant ladies – probably mother and daughter – posing next to the Christmas tree in a sun-drenched middle-class living room. The words “Xmas 1949, 122 Gaviota (Avenue), Long Beach, Calif.” are handwritten on reverse |
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| Two young ladies posing underneath the Christmas tree in a middle-class living room. The words “Weihnachten 1951” (Christmas 1951) are handwritten on reverse |
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| Two cheerful children posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home. They are presenting their Christmas gifts – a rocking horse, two dolls, and a large teddy bear, circa 1952 |
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| Two young ladies posing in front of a large, tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home, circa 1952 |
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| A cheerful young lady in a cocktail dress posing in the living room of a middle-class home. The words “Everything still neat & sober – 1953” are handwritten on reverse |
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| Three generations of a German middle-class family gathered around a coffee table at Christmastime. The words “Weihnachten 1953” (Christmas 1953) are handwritten on reverse |
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| Father, daughter and son posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home. The words “Weihnachten 1954” are handwritten on reverse |
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| Two cheerful young ladies unwrapping their presents in front of a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home on Christmas Day, 1954 |
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| A company of five enjoying coffee, sweets, and drinks underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home, circa 1958 |
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| A company of three posing on a sofa underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree. A china coffee pot, cups, a cigar, and a cylindrical lighter can be seen on the table in front of them, circa 1958 |
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| An elegant young lady posing next to a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home. The tree is illuminated with electric candles, circa 1958 |
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| Nine members of an American middle-class family posing in a living room. Note the abundance of presents underneath the Christmas tree, circa 1958 |
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| A cheerful brunette lady posing next o a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class home, circa 1950s |
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| A cheerful lady in an elegant brocade evening dress posing with a present underneath a richly decorated Christmas tree, circa 1950s |
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| A cheerful lady posing next to a Christmas tree in a private home. The handbag she is holding is probably a Christmas present, circa 1950s |
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| A cheerful little girl with a doll in her hands posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree, circa 1950s |
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| A company of eight celebrating at the kitchen table in a lower-middle-class home, circa 1950s |
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| A company of seven posing around a dining table in a middle-class home, circa 1950s |
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| A housewife giving her English Setter a treat in front of a fully-decorated Christmas tree in a middle-class home, circa 1950s |
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| A mother and her daughter posing on a sofa in a lower-middle-class living room. A tabletop tube radio decorated with a small Christmas tree can be seen in the background, circa 1950s |
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| A mother and her daughter posing on a sofa next to a small Christmas tree in a lower-middle-class home, circa 1950s |
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| A mother and her daughter posing underneath a tinsel-covered Christmas tree in a middle-class living room, circa 1950s |
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| A mother and her son posing underneath a beautifully decorated Christmas tree in a private home, circa 1950s |
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| A mother, her daughter, and their pet Dachshund posing next to the Christmas tree in a middle-class living room, circa 1950s |
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| Four American ladies enjoying an evening drink in a middle-class living room, circa 1950s |
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| Three generations of a German middle-class family enjoying a Christmas celebration in a private home, circa 1950s |
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| Two couples in fancy dress posing at a private party in a middle-class living room, circa 1950s |
