Sears Christmas Wish Book 1952 Vintage Christmas Catalog

As a kid I have very fond memories in the 1980s of the Sears Wishbook. I would sit for hours looking over the toy pages, circling what I wanted and leaving it on the table for mom and dad to look over. To this day when I see a Sears catalog I get warm feelings of nostalgia that wash over me.

For todays post I wanted to take a peek inside a 1952 Sears Christmas Catalog and share the 1950s fashions (for men and women), the 1950s toys, Christmas decorations and other fun items you could of purchased for your loved ones that year.

Let’s do some Christmas shopping together!

Further Reading: A Look Inside A 1957 Sears Christmas Book

Special thanks to the Wishbookweb.com – The vintage Christmas catalog archive for having these wonderful resources for the world to see and share (Note as of Nov 14th, 2023-The website no longer existed)

Inside look at a 1952 Sears Christmas Book

1952 Women’s Fashions & Accessories

Kerrybrook wool sweaters and cardigans…warm as the spirit of Christmas.

1950s women's fashion-Sweaters and cardigans as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Oh my! These taffeta dresses are outstanding! Look lovely this Christmas indeed!

1950s womens fashion- 1950s Evening Dresses as seen in a 1950s Sears Catalog

A sensible but also stylish gingham and cotton dress are a must for any 1950s women’s wardrobe. Which one is your favourite? Share in the comments section below.

1950s womens fashion - 1950s gingham dresses 1950s cotton dresses as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Party-going skirt fashions make a hit as gifts! I will take all of these adorable 1950s skirts!

1950s womens fashion-Holiday skirts. 1950s full skirts as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

I absolutely love the loungewear / nightwear that women wore in the 1950s. It’s so stylish you could almost wear some of them out on the town.

The combination on the top left is my favourite because I just love the matching housecoat.

1950s womens fashion - womens pajamas loungewear and nightwear as seen in a 1950 Sears Christmas Catalog

Honestly all my husbands Christmas shopping stress would be over with if I could actually buy from this catalog. These 1950s purses are all so lovely and would be perfect for my collection!

1950s womens fashion- 1950s purses as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Add a little Christmas flare to your wardrobe with lovely holiday scarfs and squares and one perfect Christmas corsage.

1950s womens fashion- Christmas scarfs and squares as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

If slippers looked like this today, I would wear them in my home all day long and maybe even at night! Ha!

1950s Womens Fashion- 1950s Slippers as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

I LOVE Coro Jewerly (bottom left) as every piece is just a stunning accessory to any outfit. Plus a good jewelry box never goes amiss.

1950s Women's Fashion Accessory-Jewelry and Jewelry boxes as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Need some stocking stuffer ideas? Here are some 1950s womens beauty products that would of been perfect!

1950s womens beauty products as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Stunning Dresser Sets!

1950s womens fashion accessories dresser sets brushes combs as seen in a 1950's Sears Christmas Catalog

Even if there is 10 inches of snow or 10 millmeters of rain there is no reason for your feet to be hosting ugly boots. Buy these beauties instead.

1950s womens fashions - 1950s winter boots and golashes as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

1952 Men’s Fashions & Accessories

It’s winter time in many places right now, so a cozy 100% wool sweater for your main squeeze is never out of style.

1950s Men's Sweaters as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog.

Cotton Flannel Sport Shirts. So much plaid and I’m here for it!

1950s Mens Shirts. Cotton Flannel Sport Shirts as seen in a Sears Christmas Catalog.

Men’s corduroy shirts in plaids and solid colours were all the rage in 1952.

1950s Mens shirts. Corduroy shirts in plaids and solids as seen in 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog.

In our modern day world, it’s super trendy to wear fun patterned pajamas even for men. Back in the 1950s they were already on top of this style, as you can see on the “Sleeping Lounging” catalog page below. LOVE THE PATTERNS!

1950s Men's sleepwear / pajamas as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog.

Ties and Mufflers (aka scarfts) and bowties for men. What fantastic patterns!

1950s Mens ties and bowties as seen in a 1952 sears Christmas Catalog

Another trend that is popular today, is fun socks. The bolder the pattern the better. Once again, the 1950s were already showing how it’s done with fun patterned dress socks for men.

What style is your favourite? Share in the comments section below.

1950s Mens Fashion-Dress Socks as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog.

Jewelry for men is always in fashion. Like cufflinks and tie clips in various styles.

1950s mens fashion-Cufflinks, tie clips and identifcation bracelets as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

1952 Toys for Kids

1950s dollhouses, and miniture garages for a fun afternoon in your playroom.

1950s Childrens Toys as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Collection of farm toys, so even city kids can see what it is like on the farm.

Toys for Tots.

A Jack-in-Box, Merry-Go-Round, Poochies in Kennel, Blocks & Wagon set plus so much more. What would you chose?

I love board games! What one is your favourite from the below (I love Clue & Sorry)?

1950s board games as seen in a 1950s Sears Catalog

Action Toys for girls and boys.

Lovable Dolls.

We have “Toni” who you could give a permanent wave too! WOW!! How cool! Practice those vintage hairstyle skills.

“Saucy Walker” walks, sits and cries. Good times.

Plus so much more!

1950s doll toy as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Hours of fun with these toys. Like the Punch Me toy (I had a version of this in the 1980s. It stopped my brother and I beating each other up. Ha!).

There is even a cool fort that can be assembled many different ways.

1952 Christmas Decorations

Love all these Christmas ornaments.

1950s Christmas Ornaments from a Sears Christmas Catalog

Adding snow to your Christmas Tree has never been easier! Just spray and be amazed.

1950s Christmas Decorations as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

Noma Christmas Lights continue to as popular today as they were in the 1950s.

1950s Christmas Lights Noma as seen in a 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog

I hope you enjoyed taking a look inside this lovely 1950s Sears Christmas Catalog? There was over 400 pages so sadly I could not share them all but I hope you enjoyed what I did share. .

READERS: Share your favourite finds from above in the comments section.

Further Reading: Vintage Christmas Blog Posts from the 1920s-1960s

Thanks for dropping by, stay safe and Happy Holidays!

Liz

As I mentioned in my Cuba Travel Posters post, I’m off on my first out of country vacation since January 2020. As a person who LOVES to travel, this is an exciting moment that will be shared with my parents and couple of friends. CUBA HERE WE COME!

For today’s post (and the last one until I get back in a week from Sunday), I thought I would do a continuation of a series I started on vintage photos of family vacations (see the 2 posts below) in honour of yours truly taking to the friendly skies again!

Family Vacations
Family Vacations Part 2

Let’s go on vacation friends!

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

Vintage 1950s Photo Young Girl Ready to Leave on Ocean Liner Vacation. Source: Etsy

Let’s Go On Vacation!

Vintage Photos from the 1930’s – 1960’s

Welcome to Miami Beach! 1950 photo of 2 very stylish women (mother & daughter I think) with the cutest kids! What a great photo, with the palm tree in the backghround and everyone in their best summer vacation clothes. Love it!

1950 Vintage Photo of a family on vacation in Miami Beach Florida in 1950s Summer Fashions with 2 kids.

Source: Etsy

A group of Black men and women posing outside of the Idlewild, Michigan Club House in September 1938. Look at those amazing swimsuits and 1930s beach fashions! Gorgeous!

About Idlewild from ‘History.com’:

Idlewild, Michigan was once known as “The Black Eden”—a resort where black writers, business people, physicians and entertainers spent their summers in a racially segregated country. In its earliest days, you could run into W.E.B. Du Bois; in its later years, you could catch an Aretha Franklin show. But it wasn’t the only such spot. Even before the Negro Motorist Green-Book came out in 1936, resorts had opened up all over the country catering to black vacationers.

LEARN MORE THIS TOPIC AT: “Before the Green Book, These Resorts Offered Hidden Safe Havens for Black Americans“

1938 Vintage Photo of Black men and Women enjoying a vacation at Idlewild, Michigan Resort in 1930s fashions

Source: History.com

1950s vintage photo of a group of women and one man sharing a fun vacation moment on the shores of British Columbia, Canada.

1950s vintage photo of a group of women and one man on the shores of British Columbia on Vacation in 1950s Fashions

Source: Etsy

In my early 20’s I took a visit to Washington, DC to see the White House and all the other tourist must see’s. I did not look as stylish as this lovely 1950s woman here, but I enjoyed the trip nonetheless (isn’t her 1950s “Dior New Look” outfit fantastic?!).

Vintage Photo Woman Posing in Front of White House in Washington D.C. 1950's. She is wearing a 1950s Skirt and Blazer. Cute 1950s fashion

Source: Etsy

Beach vacations are always popular destinations as you can see in this 1940s / 1950s vintage photo of our two bathing beauties, enjoying the sand and water (destination unknown).

1940s or 1950s vintage photo of two Black women in swimsuits on the beach

Source: Pinterest

1960s vacation photograph, ‘Busch Garden’s Florida’ (January 1969). So much to love in this photo!

Important fashion reminder! ALWAYS match your purse to your shirt..like exactly (or close enough too).

Vintage Original Photo 'Busch Garden's Florida' 1960s Vacation Photograph

Source: Etsy

Tourist Time! 1960s vintage snapshot of a man and woman at Rockerville Gold Town.

Tourist Time ~ 1960s Vintage Snapshot ~ Man and Woman at Rockerville Gold Town

Source: Etsy

‘Cruising Couple’. A 1950s cruise ship vacation.

1950s vintage photo of a couple on a cruise ship.

1940s / 1950s vintage photo of 2 Black women with the fish they caught in their cute swimsuits at Highland Beach in Maryland.

1940s / 1950s Vintage Photo of 2 Black Women with the fish they caught in their swimsuits at Highland Beach in Maryland.

Source: Daily Mail

This photo is labelled as 1940s, but I believe from the hairstyle on the mother and the clothing that it’s from the 1950s (correct me if I’m wrong). Whatever date it is, it is a fun shot of a family in front of a very cool waterfall. Love the binoculars the dad is wearing.

Vintage Original Photo 'Mountain Waterfall' Family Vacation 1940's

Source: Etsy

Hope you enjoyed the vacation photos I shared above! Share in the comments section what your favourite was OR where your next trip is going to be.

FURTHER READING: You can also check out my archived blog posts on all things Vintage Travel 1920s-1960s

Thanks for stopping by!

Liz