A century of festive traditions: from ‘mock goose’ dinners and the creation of the Snowball to the dramatic debut of pigs and blankets

1920s

Decorations: Glass baubles and electric fairy lights for the upper classes. The less well-to-do decorated their trees with handmade paper ornaments, candles, and dried fruits.      

Food and Drink: Turkey and bread sauce was starting to enter the mass consciousness, although the traditional Christmas goose remained very popular.                     

Festive Film: The Little Match Girl (1928)               

Must-have Toy: Dismal Desmond, a soft hound-dog toy.

Fun Fact: Decorations would go up no earlier than Christmas Eve in most 1920s homes.

1940s

Decorations: Paper chains made from newspapers were common during the war years, as were sprigs of real holly and ivy.

Food and Drink: Strict rationing meant turkey was off the menu for most households. Instead, creative cooks served up home-reared rabbits, chickens, or ‘mock goose’ – a type of potato casserole.

Festive film: It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)

Classic Song: ‘White Christmas’, Bing Crosby (1942). Somewhat unbelievably, it remains the best-selling single of all time.

Must-have Toy: There was a greater focus on practical handmade gifts, like hand-knitted clothing, soap, and war bonds.

(Not so) Fun Fact: During Christmas 1940, Britain was still in the middle of the Blitz. Many spent Christmas Eve in air raid shelters, and the holiday that year would become known as ‘Blitzmas’.    

1960s

Decorations: Metallic-silver Christmas trees brought a touch of glamour to homes in the ’60s. ‘Angel’s hair’ tinsel was also very popular.

Food and Drink: In the late ‘60s, Christmassy cocktails like the Snowball became popular. Turkey also became the go-to meat of choice, especially served with cranberry sauce.

Festive Film: Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)

Classic song: ‘It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year’, Andy Williams (1963)

Must-have Toy: Etch-a-Sketches, Scalextric racing tracks and Meccano construction sets.

1980s

Decorations: Hanging foil decorations and garlands were very popular throughout the ‘80s.

Food and Drink: Fashionable canapés – like smoked salmon blinis, vol au vents and stuffed olives – were a must at festive gatherings during the ‘80s. Elaborate desserts also become commonplace, with family-favourite Viennetta launching in 1982.

Festive Film: The Snowman (1982)           

Classic Song: ‘Fairytale of New York’, The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl (1987)             

Must-have Toy: The Rubik’s Cube was at the top of every child’s Christmas list in 1980.

Fun Fact: The seasonal soap opera special was at its zenith in the ‘80s. On Christmas Day 1986, a record 30.1 million viewers tuned in to watch the classic EastEnders episode where Dirty Den served divorce papers to his wife Angie.

2000s

Decorations: Artificial trees became more convincing than ever in this decade, as were the first pre-lit artificial Christmas trees.

Food and Drink: Pigs in blankets went from being an optional side dish to a staple part of the Christmas meal. The increasing availability of sparkling wines like Prosecco and cava made festive fizz more affordable.

Festive Film: Elf (2003)

Classic Song: ‘Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)’, The Darkness (2003)

Must-have Toy: The Sony PlayStation 3 launched in the run-up to Christmas 2006. 

Fun Fact: The first John Lewis Christmas advert aired in 2007, warming hearts across the nation and sparking a new media trend.