HISTORY This Week The Surprising History of Christmas Gifts (HTW Classic)
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Dec 25, 2024 Dive into the surprising origins of Christmas gift-giving, tracing its evolution from 19th-century traditions to modern consumerism. Discover how labor reformers sparked a movement encouraging early holiday shopping for better working conditions. Hear about the Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving, which championed heartfelt gifts over obligatory presents. Explore the darker sides of commercialization, child labor, and the ongoing tensions between sentimentality and consumerism during the festive season.
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Christmas Not Always Big
- Christmas was not always a big deal in the US.
- Early Americans, especially in New England, didn't widely celebrate it due to religious and cultural reasons.
Christmas Outlawed
- Celebrating Christmas was illegal in Massachusetts for about two decades during the colonial period.
- Punishments included fines for skipping work, feasting, or parading related to Christmas.
Shifting Christmas Indoors
- Mid-19th century elites sought to shift Christmas celebrations indoors and make them family-centric.
- This was partly a response to rowdy public celebrations like wassailing, which they saw as a threat.
