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By this point in the month, you’ve probably been inundated with commercials and advertisements everywhere for the hottest kids’ toys of the year. From bikes to Legos to dollhouses that are large enough to need their own address, the toys seem to get bigger and fancier with every passing year. And with the advent of online shopping, Santa’s job to bring out the presents has gotten easier than ever.

But what about the children of the past? What did they wish for? Look no further, for here at the History Center we have Letters to Santa Claus from Dixie, a book filled with letters to Santa from over a hundred years ago. Compiler William Warren Rogers describes the book best:

“The letters to Santa Claus that are featured in the following pages were written by children who lived in Thomas County, Georgia, in the first quarter of the twentieth century. They capture the timeless spirit of the Christmas season and remind us of a simple and innocent time… These letters became a much-anticipated feature in the Thomasville Times-Enterprise during the holidays.”

So while Santa has been called upon to deliver presents for over a hundred years, have children’s demands really changed that much over the years? Yes. And no. The starkest contrast to children of today comes from the number of children asking for fruits and nuts as part of their wish list – nearly every child included this message with some throwing in a request for candy as would be more expected today. How many 10-year-olds will ask for raisins from Santa this year? Few and far between.

In terms of presents, while the details have changed, the nature of the requests remains the same. Dolls, trains, bouncy balls – while not as sophisticated as some today – remain a staple of childhood wishes. Some wanted toys that let them mimic the adults around them, from toy stoves and brooms to tend the house to electric sawmills (which sound like a good way to lose a finger) for building a house. Take a look at the Walmart kids catalog and you can easily find modern day equivalents from the Creative Chef’s Bakers Kit by Little Tikes to the Richgv Kids Tool Set with 42 pieces that will inevitably get lost by the next day.

And while Santa is on the task of giving, the children of then, much like some we hear of and know today, were considerate of the wants and needs of others too. Many then asked Santa not to forget their siblings or family members with one even thinking internationally with his concerns for children in World War I-torn Belgium. Today’s children are even more connected with global events – who knows what they might ask Santa to take to children across the world in need?

Ultimately, the children of then were not too different from the children of today. Though the circumstances and details have changed, the essence of their wish lists have remained the same. Take a look at some of these letters and see if they remind you of any letters to Santa you have seen (or may have written yourself!).

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1915

Thomasville, Ga., Dec. 10, 

Dear Santa:

I am a little girl nine years old. I am in the fifth grade. My teacher is Miss Goff. I do not want much this Christmas. I have the doll you brought me last Christmas, but I want a baby doll with a short dress, a kimono and slippers to match for myself. Bring me fruit of all kinds. Do not forget all the poor children.

Your little girl,

Ernestine Baggs

 

Meigs, Ga., Dec. 10, 

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little girl 10 years old. Will you please bring me a Bible and a scrap book. I will be so proud of it. And if you have it to spare, bring me a doll cart and please do not forget our little baby brother. He is awfully cute and just large enough to play with toys.

Your friend,

Lois Duren

1916

Thomasville, Ga., Dec. 12, 1916

Dear Santa Claus:

I hope that you have a good time up there. Do you have any rest? What are you going to bring me for Christmas?  I want an electrical sawmill set, then I want anything else. I want you to go to the Belgium children and give them some bread.*

One of your children,

Albert Schwenke

*Albert is referring to the ongoing food crisis that affected the people of Belgium during its occupation by Germany in World War I.

1917

Boston, Ga., Dec. 11, 

Dear Santa Claus:

I am writing tonight to tell you what I want you to bring me Christmas. I want you to bring me a little gun and Santa Claus I want you to tell Mr. Erven MacIntyre** if he has a little gentle pony that would not hurt a little cripple boy, to please keep him a while to ride to school and send it by you. I will take good care of him as long as I keep him.

Santa, I would also like a little overcoat to wear to school, and a pair of gloves. Santa don’t forget my little baby sister. I want you to bring her a baby cart.

Santa Claus, you must not forget me, as I am a cripple boy and I have to wear [leg] braces. Hurry up and come.

As ever yours,

Thomas Roscoe Williams

Route B

** Thomas is referring to William Irwin MacIntyre (1882-1929) of Thomasville. He was an attorney and local historian who also raised horses. Interestingly, Thomas was born in 1914 and would have been only three years old at the time of this letter, making it highly unlikely that he was the true author of this note. Instead, the letter was probably written by one of his parents as many of these letters were. The next letter is another example of this occurrence.  

 

Boston, Ga., Dec. 19, 

Dear Santa Claus:

I am a little boy 2 years old. I want you to bring me a hammer and train and a wagon and some marbles to roll. And please bring me a rubber ball to play with and some candy, apples, nuts, raisins to eat. And don’t forget Daddie and Mamma. I am a good little boy, but sometimes I squeal and holler, although I am not going to do that anymore, but am going to be good.

Your little boy,

Odus Duncan

R.F.D., No. 2, Box 18

 

Meigs, Ga., Dec. 19, 

Dear Old Santa Claus:

Please bring me Xmas a little horn and a little toy pistol and some dogs so I can go “possum” hunting. Also bring me some fruits and candy.

I am your little friend,

David Davis

Coolidge, Ga.,

 

Meigs, Ga., Dec. 19,

Dear Santa Claus:

I am just a little boy. Will you please bring me an air rifle and some shot and a front wheel for my bicycle, and some good story books to read. Also bring me some fruit, candy and nuts. I haven’t got any papa. I help Grandpa work in the shop. I am painting a buggy for him today. Dear Grandpa is old and sick too. Please bring him something nice.

Your true friend at Chastain, Ga.,

Emory Kennedy

1918

Coolidge, Ga., Dec. 4, 1918

My dear Mr. Santa:

I am a little girl living near Coolidge. I guess you will think I am in a great hurry to write you though I know there is too many little boys and girls, and I thought I’d be in time. As I have just lost my little brother I want to be remembered by you to have something to keep me in good heart. Please send me a cup and saucer and a pair of gloves to keep my hands warm as I will soon be old enough to go to school. And also bring me a little vase and a little broom to keep my playhouse clean. I am over 5 years old and I would like to have a little rocking chair. Hoping you will bring me these, I will say good night.

Mabel Moncrief

If you want to read more letters to Santa, check out our gift shop, The Lobby, where you can grab your own copy of this book and revel in the nostalgia of this time-honored tradition of writing to ol’ St. Nick.