Chesterfield Christmas Memories & Gifts

Christmas Memories

By Winifred Watts Cray

Childhood memories return

at Christmas time, each year.

Of joys and love we shared,

with family so dear.

Snow on cold ground glistening,

a beautiful sight to see.

We children laughed and played,

our hearts were full of glee.

Many of our family members

came for Christmas at the farm;

where Mother and Dad worked hard

to make us happy and warm.

A large tree was decorated

with red berries and popcorn strings.

It was placed in the best parlor,

laden with gifts and many things.

Delicious aromas from the kitchen,

of turkey, dressing, pies and cake.

Mother planned for days and weeks ahead

and almost every day she would bake.

We did not have expensive toys,

but, each child had one or two.

Each had some new item to wear,

of clothing that was brand new.

Christmas comes and goes each year,

decorations put away again.

But, the love and joy we shared,

in our memories will remain.

With Christmas caroling and church,

thoughts of the Christ child were with us.

We thanked God for all we had,

and wished everyone a

Merry Christmas.

As published in the Monadnock Shopper Dec. 19, 1990.

Victorian Era Trading Cards

Trade cards were used primarily from 1876 - 1904 to advertise everything from breath freshener to coffee. It was a cheap and effective way to reach consumers. These cards often featured beautiful illustrations, humorous cartoons, or worthy sayings. Found in the product packages, they captivated the imagination of the Victorians who enthusiastically collected them, often organizing them in scrapbooks.

During this period, color printing was the novelty which drove the card's popularity. Once color printing improved and became more commonplace, the trading card popularity waned.

These cards are from CHS’s Clifford W. Tuttle Collection. Attractive trading cards were often used by children as holiday teacher gifts. The two above were given to teacher Emma L. Hutchins (1873 - 1962) who taught in Chesterfield School #7 in 1893 and Spofford School #13 from 1894 - 1902. (She is buried in Chesterfield West Cemetery.)

The picture with pink flowers surrounding a winter sleigh scene is a good example of a colored, embossed card. These cards were also popular collectables in the early part of the 20th Century and often given as gifts.