Yahoo Lifestyle 21 Vintage Photos of Christmas Window Displays From the Last 100 Years
No holiday shopping season would be complete without festive window displays. For more than a century, it's been a tradition for department stores and local shops alike to entice shoppers to come inside and check out their goods by decking out their windows with eye-catching displays. In fact, the custom dates to the 1870s, and Macy's is widely credited for popularizing the tradition in the U.S.
Want to take a peek back in time? You're in luck. We've rounded up some of the best vintage Christmas window display photos through the years. These nostalgic photos are sure to tug on your holiday heartstrings as you marvel at the magic that only Christmastime can bring.
So, grab your merry mocktails and sweet treats and get ready to take a scroll down memory lane — one photo at a time.
Macy's: 1908
Dolls float high above a baby carriage and other doll accessories and furniture in this early 20th century display from Macy's. Some dolls back then cost $1, which is roughly $35 today.
Emigh-Winchell Hardware Company: 1920s
Santa Claus is front and center in this display within a window display circa 1920s that's all about toy trucks, cars and bikes. Fun fact: The Emigh-Winchell Hardware Company in Sacramento, CA still exists.
Toy Shop: 1937
Although, we're not sure which story this is, it's clearly one filled with lots and lots of toys. Here, a little girl lovingly points to a baby doll in a window. The photo was taken just four days before Christmas.
Christmas Card Shop: 1938
A little girl gazes into a window with festive Christmas cards on full display. The location is unknown.
Marshall Field & Company: 1943
In one of the most elaborate displays so far, Santa is hard at work in his workshop. If you look closely, you'll see a bunch of Donald Duck stuffed animals at the bottom!
Department Store: 1946
Well-dressed children watch toys in the shop window of a department store displaying Christmas decorations on December 11, 1946.
F.W. Woolworth Company: 1947
Perfumes, Santa Claus statues and other holiday trinkets crowd a Woolworth's window display in 1947.
H.S. Manchester Inc: 1947
H.S. Manchester Inc. was a photo studio in Madison, Wisconsin. For its holiday display, it hung a sweet holiday photo inside a wreath, surrounding by other photographs.
The May Company: 1951
A giant stocking decked out with lights has the attention of little onlookers during the holiday season in 1951. The May Company eventually merged with Macy's.
Toy Store: 1955
Two children gleefully smiling at toys in a window display in 1955. You'll recognize a toy brand here that's still around today: Playskool.
Department Store: 1957
A little girl holding a balloon looks at a Christmas display filled with toys and puppets in 1957.
Department Store: 1958
An out-of-this-world display of astronauts defying gravity in this holiday display in 1958. It's a bit on the nose, given all that was happening during the Space Race.
Department Store: 1960s
Two little girls delightfully stare at baby doll dressed in a red and white dress circa 1960.
Christmas Shop: 1962
Dolls set in an enchanting playground are on display in this holiday window display in 1962.
Department Store: 1969
An excited child glares into a window display decorated with toys and a ski slope.
Department Store: 1975
A ferris wheel with stuffed animals set behind a holiday window display mesmerizes pint-size spectators.
Department Store: 1980s
A stork carrying a baby doll grabs the attention of children looking behind the glass in this early 1980s photo.
Macy's: 1995
Dr. Seuss' "Cat in the Hat" character lounges on a pile of books in this holiday Macy's window display on November 23, 1995.
Macy's: 1999
The theme for this Macy's display was Miracle on 34th Street, and it involved very realistic mannequins.
Macy's: 2000
Santa and his sleigh are ready to take flight from the North Pole in this Macy's window display in Manhattan.
Saks Fifth Avenue: 2004
This one might sting a little, as Saks Fifth Avenue has canceled its famous holiday light show. Here, the store partnered with Philips Electronics to tell the story of a little girl wanting to meet Sanata.
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