Here Are 25 Photos That Show How Much Christmas Has Changed In The Last 100 Years

It's officially the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year!" That's right, it's the holiday season — which means that practically everyone is busy right now. Whether you're baking cookies or buying last-minute gifts, now would be the perfect time for you to take a little break and travel back to the 1920s with me...

  Malykalexa / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Malykalexa / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Christmas has been celebrated in many different ways throughout history. But, today we will take a look back to see just how much it has changed in the last century. From mildly terrifying Santas to adorable window displays — here are 25 festive photos that show how different Christmas looked 100 years ago:

1.Here's Santa posing with SIX babies who were born on Christmas Day:

Santa holding five babies, flanked by two smiling women in nurse uniforms, standing under mistletoe
W. G. Phillips / Getty Images

2.These Christmas carolers decided to get dressed up for the occasion:

Group of people in historical costumes singing together, one holds a lantern

I would for sure bring them some figgy pudding (whatever that is)...

Fox Photos / Getty Images

3.These little fellows are busily chopping down their Christmas tree:

Two children in winter clothing setting up a small Christmas tree on a sled in a snowy field

Because everyone knows toddlers totally need axes...

Edwin Levick / Getty Images

4.This family is spending Christmas Eve decorating their tree:

Family decorates a Christmas tree in a cozy vintage living room, with a woman sitting at a table and two people arranging ornaments on the tree
Brandstaetter Images / brandstaetter images via Getty Images

5.Here's silent film actor Kathyrn McGuire and two canine actors patiently waiting on Santa to arrive:

Woman reads a letter while sitting by a fireplace, with a large dog on a chair and two puppies nearby
Keystone-france / Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

6.Here's a totally '20s Santa arriving in a bi-plane:

Two people in a vintage airplane; one dressed as Santa Claus, the other in pilot gear, smiling and seated together

Rudolph, who?

Keystone-france / Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

7.This happy little girl with her holiday haul:

Child in vintage dress playing with a large, detailed dollhouse next to a decorated Christmas tree

Not a Stanley Cup in sight...

H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStoc / H. Armstrong Roberts/ClassicStock

8.Here's a mobile post office ready for Christmas packages:

Vintage photo of a US Post Office truck covered with foliage and a person dressed as Santa standing beside it
Buyenlarge / Getty Images

9.These women are mailing their last-minute gifts:

Women in 1920s fashion line up at a post office counter, holding packages. A sign advises mailing early for best results and early delivery

They would absolutely adore overnight shipping...

Underwood Archives / Getty Images

10.Here are a few postal workers climbing a mountain of packages:

People in suits standing atop a large pile of mail sacks in a brick building, organizing and sorting them
Fox Photos / Getty Images

11.Here's Clara Bow preparing to climb down the chimney:

A person in vintage winter attire sits smiling on a snowy rooftop chimney, with a crescent moon in the sky

"You look like 'Santa Claus' in this light..."

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

12.Here's a couple enjoying a sled ride together:

Two people sledding down a snowy hill; the person in front wears plaid clothing and a hat, both looking determined and focused
General Photographic Agency / Getty Images

13.This festive and fancy group is all ready for a holiday ball:

Four people in elaborate historical costumes with intricate patterns, standing in an ornate room, and a person in contrast wearing a dark modern outfit

"Let them eat Christmas cookies!"

Fox Photos / Getty Images

14.Here are a few kiddos enjoying a holiday window display:

Children and a dog admire a detailed, festive storefront display featuring Santa Claus imagery and vintage machinery
Underwood Archives / Getty Images

15.Here's 3-year-old Queen (or rather Princess) Elizabeth II at King's Cross Station:

A woman in 1920s attire holds a young girl's hand on a foggy train platform, with other people and a train in the background
Edward G. Malindine / Getty Images

16.Here are some Christmas lights brightening up the London night:

Busy city street at night with shops lit up, people walking, and light trails from passing vehicles. Historic building with festive lights

Say that three times fast...

General Photographic Agency / Getty Images

17.Here's a chef pouring a bottle of rum into 600 pounds of fruit:

A group of factory workers in uniforms and hats smiling around a large mixing vat, with a chef holding an object, possibly food-related

Life's all about balance...

E. Bacon / Getty Images

18.Here are three ice skaters enjoying(?) their holiday break at Lake Placid:

Three children ice skating, dressed in early 20th-century winter clothing, including hats and sweaters, on an outdoor ice rink
Underwood Archives / Getty Images

19.Here are actors Harry Langdon and Andy Clyde starring in a 1924 Christmas movie titled His New Mama:

Two people in a vintage setting; one wears a Santa disguise, the other wears a mask and robe, near a Christmas tree with a decorated balloon
Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

20.Here's a crowd of Christmas shoppers in NYC:

Large crowd of people in hats and coats gather outside a department store, likely during a sale or special event in an early 20th-century city scene

Online shopping would blow their minds...

Bettmann / Bettmann Archive

21.Here's a room full of donated toys for hospitalized children:

Room filled with an extensive collection of vintage toys and dolls displayed on shelves and a table
Topical Press Agency / Getty Images

22.Here's a very merry London Christmas parade:

A group of people, some in costumes and hats, celebrate on a double-decker bus on a city street in an early 20th-century scene
Fox Photos / Getty Images

23.This classroom is all decked out for Santa:

A classroom from early 1900s with children seated at wooden desks, a teacher standing at the back, and chalkboard drawings including "Merry Christmas."

I just know that teacher is ready for Christmas break...

Jhu Sheridan Libraries / Getty Images

24.This sailor is ready to blast off into Christmas:

Person smiling inside a large gun barrel, holding pies with both hands, possibly on a naval ship
Fox Photos / Getty Images

25.And finally, here's a very merry dinner party:

Group of people at a crowded bar, dressed in elegant 1920s-style attire, smiling and holding drinks, with a festive and lively atmosphere

I don't know why, but I feel like they deserve a biopic...

Fpg / Getty Images

Which one of these photos was your favorite? What do you think has changed the most about Christmas in the past century? Let us know in the comments!