While a modern-day Christmas is a blur of festive jumpers, prosecco cocktails and more leftovers than you can fit in a turkey curry – just a century ago, things used to looked quite different at Christmas.
From British soldiers reading their festive mail during the Boer War to two little boys in flat caps dragging home a fir tree plucked from Covent Garden Market, these photographs give a fascinating glimpse into Christmas in bygone decades.
The images feature all manner of festive goings-on during the period between the 1900s to the 1930s, from the familiar scenes of wreaths, twinkly lights and letters to Father Christmas to the more unusual sights of a chef pouring litres of rum into a 600 pounds of fruit for a giant figgy pudding mix.
Of course, Father Christmas makes several appearances, listening to children’s Christmas wishes and delivering gifts across the country. In one photo from 1926, he’s even got himself into a spot of bother - he’s being chased through the streets of south London by a group of excited youngsters.
In one of the most striking photographs, a little girl hammers up a request to Saint Nicholas above her bed at the Brecknock Blind School for Children in 1926. It reads 'please give me a big dolly'.
But it’s not all gift giving, bribing Father Christmas and turkey dinners. There’s also the members of the Plymouth ladies swimming club, who challenged the usual Christmas Day traditions to drive their motorbikes to the local lido for a Christmas Day dip.
And proving that not much has changed over the past 100 years, there are plenty of excited young children who just can’t wait to get into the festive spirit by decorating their Christmas trees with tinsel and baubles.
Tinsel and baubles have been gaining popularity again in recent years.
There’s also a picture of masked carol singers collecting money in aid of the ‘Motherhood Dinner Fund’ charity, reminding us that Christmas has always been truly about giving to others.
Although we are glad the dress code hasn’t passed onto modern-day.
It’s also nice to see the mistletoe was still a big thing then.
The images take us on a fascinating journey over three decades, from the 1900s to the 1930s.
Click through the gallery above to delve into Christmas past.
