Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1919-12-11
SANTA BANNED BY
PURITAN Fathers
No Christmas Festivities or
Gifts for Children in MaSSa-
ChuSetts in Early Days
DAY JUST LIKE ANY OTHER
Condition Somewhat Better for Young
sters in New Amsterdam-Holiday
Observance Toyless in the Colo
MES In Seventeenth Century

In the early days of this countrNs
history Christmas festivities were not
generally observed and poor old "San-
IN Claus" and all he represents. had
a hard time OF ii.
In Massachusetts the observation of
Christmas was utterly denounced rs
an evil. ungodly and perniciOus Gus
tom. and any child daring TO think OF
as much as plum pudding on that
day would make herself liable TO re-
proof by the authorities. All along
the stern and rOck-bOund coast, Ger
aldine 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 hearths,
but as far as the children knew
Christmas was just like any other day
In the calendar. Even after the Pur-
itan reaction against the forms ana
customs of the old church had spent
itself 10 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
little better for the children. The
Hollanders had brought with them
their ST Nicholas and his birthday
was celebrated ioyously 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
useful character, such as hand-knit
caps and mittens, hut now and then
"A skillful Hollander would carve a
model of a boat such as that which
had brought them 10 New Amsterdam,
or 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 10 be on terms Of sufficient ann
ity with them for such conferences.
I'm Virginia. where the church of
England was strong and its adherents
steadfastly observed the holidays as
i'm the home country. there was always
more OF the Christmas spirit and album
dant cheer and merrymaking than
elsewhere at this Season. Here the
Yule log held its place and here were
the games and the feaSting that made
IL Indeed Che merry season of the year
Later when New Amsterdam became
New York and the English came in
10 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 Sev
enteenth and eighteenth centu les
toys were an almost unknown factor
but wherever Christmas observations
were not frowned upon by religion
! feasting and good cheer were ahun
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 hegar
10 make their appearance in the cot
onies Some of them we're brought
from over seas and had the enchant
ing quality of novelty Little girls
who had helped 10 mother their young
er brothers and sisters were delighte,
with dolls that We're all their own
to fondle and coddle \ toy WAS :
/ thing 10 he cherished in those days
Some of The gifts were of real in
frinslc value. for the shipping anC
trading were growing TO be importan
factors in the colonies, and mel
brought treasures of all kinds from
the far East 10 the scaportS whence
they were distributed 20 other part'
of the colonies The war for indepcn
doncc interrupted this and the chill
dren shared i'm the self sacrifices anC
deprivations that were undergone b.
all The families living in the colonie
at that time. When soldiers were
starving at Valley Forge there wa
little thought in their homes of Christ
mas merrymakings and little out o
which 70 provide II.
After the war there We're still leal
years hut by the opening Of the nine
toenth century peace and plent,
smiled upon the land and Santa Clau
found II safe to resume his visits am
make his distributions.