December is a time to spend with family, to enjoy holidays past and present! It's also a great time to share family stories- by chatting with family in-person or on Zoom, by writing down our family history in the yearly Christmas Card, or for a keepsake book.
Here are some fun online links that can add historical context to your family story- what recipes were popular in your grandmother's time? What was the most popular toy in the 1945 Sears Catalog? These links can also help "jog" the memories of our older family members, and they may recall more family stories to share!
- Vintage Recipes- Just like Grandma used to make! Members share old recipe cards, magazine clippings, and vintage cook books with their favorite family recipes! Do any look familiar?
- Catalogs Collection, Internet Archive- Internet Archive has a growing collection of vintage catalogs, including many Sears "Wish Books," how-to catalogs, and advertisements for household items. A great way to see the newest innovations and gifts that were popular in your ancestor's time!
- WishbookWeb- A vintage Christmas catalog archive including catalogs from Sears, Lord & Taylor, Spiegel, and more!
- A Century of Magical Holiday Photos- Cheapism organized a collection of photographs from holiday celebrations in the U.S. going back to the early 20th century. What was going on in the country during the holidays when your ancestor was a child?
- What Christmas Looked Like the Year You Were Born- Taste of Home goes back through 6 decades of holiday traditions!
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