“A hundred dollars worth of peanuts.”
What did you ask Santa for when you were little? A Mr Frosty? A Cabbage Patch Doll? A Furby?
How about a box of ducks and frogs, some fireworks or a pack of cigarettes?
They’re some of the things that children wanted for Christmas over one hundred years ago.
Julia Ross Suits runs @TweetsOfOld, a Twitter account where she shares ‘one-liners’ from old regional newspapers across the US.
The account has shared snippets of what kids across the States wrote to Santa in letters from the late 1800s and early 1900s… and they’re a great read.
While some of the letters contained hilarious demands, others showed some kids were selflessly hoping the magic of Christmas could help them to help others. Take a look.
The most-desired presents might have changed over time but one thing remains: the random and specificity of kids:
Dear Santa: Please bring me a boy doll with blue eyes, light hair, with silly look; I hate a smart-looking doll. Your friend, Norma
Texas 1900— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 10, 2017
Dear Santa, Please bring me a box of nuts, a box of candy and a box of ducks and frogs. I want a box of whistle dogs and a whistle bear. Your friend, Dora New Mexico 1919
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 9, 2017
Dear Santa, Please bring me an air gun or a blow gun or any kind of a gun. For you know that a boy is never satisfied until he has a gun. Willie Missouri 1899
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 7, 2017
Dear Santa: Bring mamma a new dress. and papa a new suit. and me a hundred dollars worth of peanuts. so I guess that is all. Russell
Missouri 1919— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 6, 2017
Some of the messages heartbreakingly show the mix of innocence and responsibility that past children had to bear:
Dear Santa: I want a bicycle awful bad so I can get me a job with Western Union to help make a support for my mother. -Willie, 10
Texas 1912— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 11, 2017
Dearest Santa, This year only fill mama’s stocking, she’s sick. The doctor says wine and rent $. I tied the toes so they wont drop out. Marjo
Kansas 1895— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 7, 2017
Dear Santa Claus: I’d order a doll but I’m afraid the girls will laugh at me. -Anson
New York 1902— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 10, 2017
Dear Santee, Pleas ask God to give us back our mamma and you can give our presents to somebody else. We just only want her. -Harriette
Nebraska 1901— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 11, 2017
Others, meanwhile, are just a bit mad – and bravely honest:
Dear Santa: Please bring me lots of fireworks that wont blow a boys hands off or put a boys eye out like Willie’s. Jimbo
Missouri 1908— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 12, 2017
Dear Santa, I am a bad boy. I smoke, chew and other bad things, but I hope this does not interfere. I should like an airship. Paul
Virgnia 1911— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 11, 2017
Dear Mr. Santa Claus, Please dont bring any more cats, we have plenty of cats. Goodby, Henry
Pennsylvania 1903— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 9, 2017
Dear Santa: Papa says I’m large enough to smoke. Please bring me a sack of Dukes Mixture and a pipe. Your little friend, Oree Hackley
Missouri 1897— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 9, 2017
Dear Santa, Bring me a brother play with. Papa was a bad Democrat when he married Ma, but she turn him and now he is an awful Republican. Melvin
Missouri 1898— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 7, 2017
Dear Santa, Please bring me a stove, a table two chairs and a doll. A soup bone for my dog. My cousin John says he is going to shoot you when you come past his house so you come this way first. good night. Carolyn Delaware1920
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 9, 2017
