Dear Santa, Past and Present

             Children have been writing letters to Santa for a long time. The system must be one that has helped both Santa and parents. Just knowing what is desired by the young, helps to know what to put in Santa's pack.

            Many of the current letters ask for at least one electronic item. Often the whole message is about ipods and MP3 players, Smartphones and specific electronic games and devices.

            Looking over Dear Santa letters in the archives of my local newpaper ,the children of fifty years ago had quite different toys  mentioned on many requests: Sonic Blaster, Rocker Socker Robot, 5 speed racing bike with handle brakes, Walkie Talkie, Johnny Eagle Army gun, Ruthie doll, Baby First Step, a musical train, roller skates, Penny Bright doll, Barbie Dream House, Suzy Bake Oven. Some letters weren't so particular in the brands and asked for a sled or a basketball. Most made mention that they would leave a snack for the bearded gentleman, usually cookies. Some even said “Thank You” for the gifts of Christmas past.

             The letters from 1916, one hundred years ago, give us a picture of not only an earlier time, but with expressions of what was needed more than what was wanted. Here are some samples: a horse with wheels, a pocket knife, a pair of skates, baby doll, little wagon, nuts and candy, a baby buggy for a doll already in hand, a big top. One young lady asked for a “muff and fur.” The child or today would have no idea what a muff even is. The fur would keep her neck warm, the muff was cylindrical, made of warm fabric and held in front, a hand thrust into each open side, to keep the hands toasty. The requests of a century back that touched this writer the most were those of overshoes, mittens, an orange, and good things to eat. Many families were struggling for survival in the early 1900's.

            The passage of time shows that some things remain the same. Prosperity over poverty is indicated. The holiday, the wish for celebration is still strong.  It is still a time for hope, for kindness, for thinking of others beyond self.  The magic that comes with the season is still intact. The technology of today has everyone in its grip. Letters are still being written, even though the children of even 25 years ago could not have even imagined the items that are now on the lists of the average youngster of 2016.