History in Colour: Christmas in New York, 1910

by Gunther Simmermacher · Published December 23, 2024 · Updated December 17, 2024

Christmas in New York 1910

A snapshot from the past, colourised exclusively for The Southern Cross

Children in New York City go window-shopping as Christmas approaches in 1910. The practice of gift-giving at Christmas can be linked to the story of the Magi who brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. This narrative in the Gospel of Matthew helped establish the custom of offering gifts during the Christmas season as a way of commemorating the birth of Jesus.

During the Protestant Reformation in the 16th and 17th centuries, Puritans in England and its American colonies objected to and even prohibited traditions associated with Christmas, including the giving of gifts. However, gift-giving remained popular among many other communities.

The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, with the rise of mass production, brought about significant changes in gift-giving. Christmas became increasingly commercialised, and the emphasis on buying presents grew stronger. Retailers capitalised on the season, promoting the exchange of gifts as a more essential aspect of Christmas than the celebration of the birth of the Saviour, Jesus Christ.