Step back in time to the golden age of holiday cheer with vintage Christmas magazines and catalogs from the 1920s through the 1960s. These publications captured the magic of mid-century festivities, from dazzling holiday fashion spreads and retro gift ideas to nostalgic recipes and charming home décor inspiration.

Whether you’re a history buff, a collector, or simply love the timeless charm of old-fashioned Christmases, these treasures offer a delightful glimpse into how past generations celebrated the season.

Further Reading: December Magazine Covers 1920s-1950s (feature some festive Christmas covers) & Vintage Christmas Catalogues

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy & eBay, are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

Note: If the item you click on is no longer available, don’t fret! Etsy has loads of vintage items that might just catch your eye. Just do some searching. Happy shopping!

Vintage Christmas Magazine & Catalog Covers 1920s-1960s

FAO Schwarz Christmas Catalog in 1920.

Family Circle Magazine December 1961. Available as a Digital Download to enjoy right now!

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

* Just Like a Man!
* How Mrs. Santa Claus Saved Christmas – 12 paged illustrated story
* Exciting Holiday Decorations to Make Yourself
* Little People Craft made from Clothespins
* All Aboard for Cookyland – vintage Christmas Cookie Recipes
* Open House – the friendliest way to Entertain – entertaining ideas and recipes for your own MCM-style Open House
* 6 Make-Ahead Casseroles
* Discover the Joys of Reading to Your Children
* Piggy Bank Gifts Children Can Buy

Mid-Century Christmas Cookie Ideas & an Open House Candlelight Buffet Menu.

Source: Etsy-VintageMagLuv

1956 Sears Christmas Wish Book featuring two little kids in the PJ’s amazed by the tree with all the gifts under it.

I love this catalog cover so much because it brings me back to my brother and I doing the same thing as kids.

(Note: avail for sale from ArtComixHaven at time of posting)

Source: christmasmusetechnical.com

“Let’s give the boys a Merry Christmas”. December 1941 Farmer’s Magazine featuring a man and woman in uniform enjoying a Christmas cake.

Source: Etsy-OldbutGoldCrafts

The American Journal of Nursing – the Christmas edition – from December 1950.

The magazine is filled with medical/nurse-related articles, photographs and fabulous advertising.

Source: Etsy-BarnboardAntiques

Better Homes & Gardens Christmas Ideas for 1963 Magazine.

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Delicious Recipes for holiday treats
• 400 New Ideas that say Merry Christmas
• Decorations for home, Inside & Out
• Traditional Tree and novelty tree designs
• And more!

I love these stunning Mid Century entry way holiday decoration ideas, especially the two red door looks.

Source: Etsy-TwoLadybugsVintage

Mademoiselle magazine from December 1947 “Christmas”, featuring a stylish skier on the cover.

Source: Etsy-PapayasStudio

December 1969-EBONY Magazine.

Woman’s Home Companion December 1932. Carrying Christmas gifts in the snow.

Chatelaine Magazine December 1949 Christmas Cover–The Canadian Woman’s Magazine.

Further Reading: Chatelaine-The Canadian Magazine for Women since 1928

1965 December Scouting Magazine –A Magazine For Adults (featuring teenagers on the cover).

Source: eBay

1930’s Christmas Catalog “Western Auto Stores” “Christmas w/Gifts For Everyone” (see inside here-avail at time of posting).

Source: eBay

December 1950, 1951 & 1952 Le Petit Echo de la Mode French ladies magazines Christmas special.

The magazines from the 1950s is full of beautiful illustrations of very chic women and kids in 1950s fashions, gorgeous advertisements, diagrams for sewing and knitting patterns, and bits and pieces of novels and interesting articles.

Source: Etsy-LaceandlinenDesigns

December 1932-The Farmer’s Wife, The Magazine for Farm Women.

Source: Etsy-OldbutGoldCrafts

Better Homes & Gardens December 1943 featuring a farmhouse 1940s kitchen with festive decor (Note: Read the magazine at the BHG archive).

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

• Wartime Christmas Gifts BEYOND PRICE
• Late Tips on Wartime Living
• Kitchens Be Gay
• How to Keep Your Radio Top Notch
• The Diary Of A Plain Dirt Gardener
• And more!

Further Reading: Better Homes & Garden Vintage Magazine Covers 1920s to 1960s

Source: Better Homes & Gardens Archive

1920s Christmas Catalog-The March of the Toys from H. Wehmhoefer –  Beecher’s leading hardware merchant.

Source: eBay

Sears Christmas Wish Book-1946. “Let the gladsome carols ring! Let the happy voices sing! MERRY CHRISTMAS!”.

Source: christmasmusetechnical.com

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this festive post and please share any memories you have on this topic in the comments section below.

Further Reading:

• Vintage Christmas 1920s-1960s (Archived blog posts)
• Vintage Magazine & Catalogs 1920s-1960s (Archived posts)

Liz