In our town, Christmas officially began the Saturday after Thanksgiving. As I remember, the decorations which were strung across Main Street were put up Friday by men in town (probably some service group such as the Lions Club). Santa came on Saturday and it seemed that everyone in the area was in town to watch and gather in the bags of candy which were distributed. A stand was erected on an empty corner lot, and there, every Saturday until Christmas drawings were held to win prizes donated by town merchants.
I've mentioned before that I got a new doll each Christmas. This year, 1955, the most popular dolls were Betsy Wetsy and Tiny Tears. Both came with bottles which, when filled with water, could actually be "fed" to the dolls. They could then cry (small holes at the corners of their eyes) and wet their diapers. Every little six-year-old girl's dream!
At this stage of my life, I can't remember which was which, but my parents got me one doll, and I won the other one!! Oh, the bliss!!
Here I am, my new riches spread before me on the table:
I'm wearing my new Christmas pj's from Grandma Hansen. I can still remember them--they were salmon pink and white gingham flannel and instead of long pants, they had bloomer bottoms. I loved them!
This is just wonderful! Chris, did you get a new scanner? It's so fun to look at these old-er photos. I'm loving your pig tails! Did your family ever have the TV on during meals?
ReplyDeleteWhat bliss is right! I never had Betsy Wetsy -- just Tiny Tears. And they were the little girl's dream.
ReplyDeleteDid you win the doll at the merchants' drawing? My dad occasionally won something at those.
Mom said the doll came from Swantek's Drug Store, and I *think* it was part of the drawing, but I'm not actually certain. I'll have to find out for sure. Did stores have their own give-aways?
ReplyDeleteOops, forgot to reply to Hallie. No, not a new scanner. We've had one for years--I used the old one a lot, and then Dan got a new one several years ago. I just had my parents bring up my old childhood album on Friday so we could scan the pictures in it. You may see more this holiday season!
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I have never seen these pictures, though I remember the little girl.
ReplyDeleteSwantek's became Oud's Rexall Drug, right? Another great store filled with essentials and gifts.
I think you're right. I know the corner where the drawings were held was where Rod's Drug was built later on.
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