Christmas gifts of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s remembered

There’s nothing more magical than Christmas when you’re a kid. But unlike these days where presents usually take centre stage, kids of the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s were often lucky to get anything at all on Christmas Day.

In fact, when these age groups were asked what their most common presents were, instead of the range of toys and technological devices that youngsters are likely to get today, the most common responses included very basic items, such as apples, oranges and nuts.

These responses came from the UK retirement home builder McCarthy & Stone, who asked British retirees about their childhood experiences during Christmas time, as well the gifts they remembered getting from their family back in the day. Other common pressies that people recalled receiving included lollies – such as sugar mice and dolly mixture – as well as crayons with colouring-in books and handmade wooden dolls’ houses.

And although finding a lump of coal in your festive stocking is synonymous these days with being a badly behaved child, getting coal for Christmas was actually a welcome gift from the 1930s to the ’50s. Plenty of respondents said that they were excited to get coal as their yearly gift, as they could add it to their pre-central-heating fireplaces to help cosy up with their family on the special day.

One respondent, 87-year-old Edna, recalled her time growing up during World War II, saying that every year she would simply feel lucky to get anything at all on Christmas Day, with the best gift just being able to spend quality time with her family.

“I remember in my stocking I’d get an apple, orange and a single nut,” she said. “But one year when my sister and I were evacuees, I recall my father turning up to the house we were in, packing our bags and taking us back home to London – even though the war was still on! We didn’t get any presents but we were happy because we were back home with our family.”

Along with the most common gifts, retirees also shared the most unusual gifts they received as kids, with everything from a handmade bow and arrow to pipes, matches and ‘chocolate cigarettes’ making the list.

One responder even sweetly recalled that one of their favourite Christmas gifts was the portable typewriter they got as a kid, which went on to inspire their literary senses and define their career as a secretary at the BBC.

A spokesperson from McCarthy & Stone noted that these back-to-basics gifts were a far cry from the “flashy” products that kids usually get these days. “Items like fruit and nuts, which were once valued as precious treats, really show how lucky we are in modern times. What’s more, the handmade dolls’ houses show a real level of care, thoughtfulness and love – emphasising what the festive period is meant to be about.”