Member-only story
Christmas during the 1940s
Celebrating the holiday when the world was at war.
During World War 2, Christmas trees were in short supply because of a lack of manpower needed to cut the trees down and a shortage of railroad space to ship the trees to market. Americans rushed to buy American made Viska artificial trees
In 1941, a 5-foot Christmas tree could be purchased for 75-cents.
The shortage of materials — like aluminum and tin — used to produce ornaments led many people to make their own ornaments at home. Magazines contained patterns for ornaments made out of non-priority war materials, like paper, string, and natural objects such as pinecones or nuts.
Electric bubble lights were created during the 1940s.
To give their Christmas tree a snow-covered effect, people mixed a box of Lux soap powder with two cups of water and brushed the concoction on the branches of their tree.
Fewer men at home resulted in fewer men available to dress up and play Santa Claus. Women served as substitute Santas at Saks 5th Ave. in New York City and at other department stores throughout the United States.
