Department Store Memories At Christmas

Discussion in 'Other Reminiscences' started by Ann George, Dec 7, 2017.

  1. Ann George

    Ann George Veteran Member
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    As a kid in the 1950s I had fond memories of visiting Department store window displays at Christmastime in the "big" city. In particular I was fascinated by all the miniature villages with some moving parts etc. These Christmas displays were very popular back then as you can see from this old photo...

    [​IMG]
    Click to see a larger image (K)

    People looking at window display, 1958
    T. Eaton Co. fonds
    Reference Code: F 229-308-725-2
     
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  2. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    I used to love the windows in my hometown of Pittsburgh, looked forward to it every year.

    Think when my daughter was small and we lived in Chicago we'd go and see Marshall Fields and. Carson Pirie Scott dept store's display.

    In Pittsburgh it was Gimbal's and Kaufman's!

    Don't think any of these huge dept stores exist anymore ...too bad, I have fond memories of all of them.

    Thanks!
     
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  3. Missy Lee

    Missy Lee Veteran Member
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    Fond memories indeed of Hudsons in Detroit, an awesome display as only Hudsons could do it with the store being the whole city block.
     
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  4. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Yep, another difference between "big city" living and "country/farm" living. I never seen any of those displays, because we didn't go into Fort Wayne, or any other big city, during Christmas. We'd go to a local department store in the small town of Churubusco to shop for gifts. To much farm work to be done, even in the winter time/Christmas to do much shopping.

    Ahhhhhhhh, "country/farm" life during Christmas and winter. One word can describe it.........tough!
     
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  5. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
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    That's too bad @Cody Fousnaugh but I'm sure you've made up for it with your wife.

    Ive never had a bad Christmas even when as a young wife and mother when the money was tighter I managed.

    Only sad Christmas was my first one without my hubby. :(

    I was surrounded by love and family and I put on a good face but I was very sad.
     
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  6. Cody Fousnaugh

    Cody Fousnaugh Supreme Member
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    Yes, we’ve been through many Christmas Displays. A few here, but quite a few in Colorado and Las Vegas.
     
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  7. Ken Anderson

    Ken Anderson Senior Staff
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    I don't suppose they were so very elaborate in comparison with others but, since I lived in a little town of 200 people, when we went Christmas shopping in Menominee, Michigan, before the mall, when all of the stores were downtown across from the marina, it was pretty impressive. A Montgomery Wards store was located in a former factory and was about five stories high, all decorated for Christmas. That was where we usually went, but there were other stores up and down the street, all decorated, as was the marina itself. I was impressed.
     
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