Children's Corner, December 2020

Here are some ways our church celebrated Christmas in the old days, according to notes from the Sunday school board:

There was a Committee appointed called the Committee on Candy and Oranges. There was also a Decorating Committee. Each Sunday school class was allowed to decorate with a budget of up to $3.20. There was also a child care person, but back then it was called the cradle roll.

By 1922 each Sunday school scholar received, at the Christmas party, a half pound box of candy (which was worth $0.22) and an orange. Prizes of books and pictures were awarded to scholars who attended Sunday school regularly.

In 1923 a Christmas tree was purchased for $2.50, along with 250 yards of laurel and perhaps some ornaments.

In 1955 there was a group called the Couplers. I think this was a group of adults in pairs. "Santa Claus" came to visit their December 10 meeting at the Nelsons' house and handed out helpful and useful gifts.

Later on the couples enjoyed delicious treats and “had many laughs listening to the meeting,” as Howard Scott had recorded the meeting and played it back to the group.

The church also made sure to take up regular and special collections of money to offer to other people. Sometimes they sent gifts, too. Many of those people sent back thank you notes saying how glad they were to be remembered and thought of by the church people.

Does anything from the old days remind you of anything you've done? What's YOUR favorite part of celebrating Christmas?