Letters to Santa, 1917

December 1917. The U.S. had entered World War I a few months earlier and Christmas was right around the corner. Even though we were at war, children were making Christmas lists and writing letters to Santa.

Dear Santa, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

The Celina Democrat printed a few Dear Santa letters in 1917, most from local children. The children’s wish lists were fairly minimal back then, although one little girl asked for a piano. Candy, fruit, and peanuts were popular Christmas list items. These children also seemed to be conscious of the needs of others.

Dear Santa letters from the 21 December 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat:

Dear Santa Claus:
I will not ask for much. I want a coaster sled and don’t forget my little cousins Horson and Holdy and my brother Vernon would like a pair of mishing [sic?] socks. Don’t forget my cousins out of town. I will close and say my prayer.
John Loyda Bader (RR Mendon)

I’m not sure what mishing socks were. There were a lot of typos in these letters and mishing may have been a typo.

Dear Santa Claus:
Please bring me a new doll and a piano and some candy and nuts, oranges and fruits. I am four years old. I go to Sunday School. Please don’t forget to bring Evaun and Kahle something…
Marielle Jenkins (RR Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am a little girl nine years old, and I go to school every day and study my lessons very good. I want you to come to my house and bring me Sleepy Night Stories striped hair ribbons, some candy, nuts, and oranges. I live three miles southwest of Celina. I’ll go to bed early.
Pearl Andrews (Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I don’t go to school. I am five years old. I would like to have an A.B.C. book, a handkerchief, hair ribbon and overshoes and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Ruth McGee (Celina)

Dear Santa Claus:
I am eight years old. I go to school and am in the fourth grade. I would like to have a handkerchief, story book, and pretty goods to make my doll a dress, and candy, oranges, bananas, and peanuts for Christmas.
Blanch McGee (Celina)

James, Romania, William, and Mary Carlin, probably siblings in Columbus, Ohio, each wrote a letter to Santa and each asked Santa not to forget the poor.  They remembered their parents, grandparents, and siblings as well. Each also mentioned that they would have the fire lit when Santa came in so that he could get warm. These are the other items they asked for:

Dear Santa Claus:
I would like to have a machinic [sic] and some candy.
James John Carlin

I would like a doll and some candy.
Romania Marie Carlin

I would like a machine and candy.
William Charles Carlin

I would like a red go-cart and candy.
Mary Elizabeth Carlin

I wonder what that machine was that the two boys asked for.

Things have not changed all that much over the years since 1917. Children still wish for special presents and ask Santa for them, although today’s Christmas lists may be digital Amazon Wish Lists and many of the items are technical electronics. Children still anxiously wait for Santa’s arrival and anticipate the excitement and fun of opening presents on Christmas morning.

A couple weeks ago I featured a letter from a November 1917 issue of The Celina Democrat, written by Albert C.  Heffner, of Chatt, written while he was in basic training in Nebraska. Before he entered the war he and his brother-in-law Jake Bauer were piano dealers in Celina. This was their Christmas ad:

Albert Heffner, piano dealer, Celina Democrat, 21 Dec 1917

Perhaps Santa got a piano for little Marielle Jenkins from their store.