Milford chronicle., 1919-12-05

In the early days OF this country's
history Christmas festivities were not
generally observed and poor old "San-
ia Claus" and all he represents, had
a hard time OF H.
In Massachusetts the observation OF
Christmas was utterly denounced as
an evil. ungodly and perniciOus Gus
tom. and any child daring to think OF
as much as a plum pudding on that
day would make herself liable TO re-
proof by the authorities. All along
the stern and rOck-bound coast. Ger
aldlne Ames writes IN the Churchman.
the only Christmas trees in the days
Of the Puritan domination were those
that nature had planted there and had
adorned with ieecy snow. The fires
burned brightly on the open hearihs,
but as far as the children knew
Christmas was just like any other day
IN the calendar. Even after the Puf
itan reaction against the forms and
customs of the old church had spent
itself to some extent the children Of
the seventeenth century still expected
no gifts In honor of the birth of Christ.
In New Amsterdam the outlook was
a little better for the children. The
Hollanders had brought with them
their ST. Nicholas. and his birthday
was celebrated joyOusly by young and
old just before Christmas, but Christ
mas was also observed. OF course,
they had not many real toys as we
know them today, but In the shoes
that the little Hollanders set by the
fireplace In the shining kitchen, which
was also the living room. were home
made gifts. Many of these were of
a useful character, such as hand-knlt
caps and mittens, but now and then
a skiIlful HOllander would carve a
model Of a boat such as that which
had brought them to New Amsterdam
or a miniature chest Of drawers. and
one can fancy the recipients showing
these with pride TO the wondering
little Indian boys and girls when they
came to be on terms of sufficient am
ity with them for such conferences.
In Virginia, where the church of
England was strong and its adherents
steadfastly observed the holidays as
In the home country, there was always
more of the Christmas spirit and abun-
dant cheer and merrymaklng than
elsewhere at this season. Here the
Yule log held Its place and here were
the games and the feasting that made
II indeed the merry season of the year
Later when New Amsterdam became
New York and the English came in
TO power the character Of the Christ
mas holiday was changed somewhat.
although the Dutch influence cOntin-
ued dominant for many years.
Throughout the colonies In the sew
enteenth and eighteenth centuries |
toys were an almost unknown factor, |
but wherever Christmas observations |
were not frOwned upon by religion, |
feasting and good cheer were abun.
dant, and bond and free. rich and poor, /
old and young, shared in the games,
abundant food and genial atmosphere.
In the eighteenth century toys began
to make their appearance in the col
onies. Some of them were brought
from over seas and had the enchant-
Ing quality of nOveSsy. Little girls
who had helped to mother their young
er brothers and sisters were delighted
with dolls that were all their own,
10 fondle and coddle A toy was a
hing to be cherished In those days
Some Of the gifts were of real In
rInsic value, for the shipping and
radlng were growing to be important
actors In the colonies, and men
treasures of all kinds from
he far East to the seaports. whence
hey were distributed to other parts
# the colonies. The war for lndepen.
lence interrupted this and the chill
lren shared in the self-sacrifees and
leprivations that were undergone by
II the families living IN the colonies
u that time. When soldiers were
tarvlng at Valley Forge there was
little thought In their homes Of Christ
mas merrymakings and little out Of
which to provide It.
After the war there were still lean
ears, but by the opening of the nine
eenth century peace and plenty
miled upon the land and Santa Claus
ound It safe to resume his visits and
lake his distributions.