An "Uncle Sam" Santa surrounded by snow domes and handcrafted ornaments.

Information or research assistance regarding Christmas is frequently requested from the Smithsonian Institution. The following information has been prepared to assist those interested in this topic.

Selected References

Barnett, James Harwood. The American Christmas: A Study in National Culture. New York: Macmillan, 1954; 1976.

Brenner, Robert. Christmas Past: A Collectors' Guide to its History and Decorations. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1985.

_____. Christmas Revisited. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1986.

_____. Christmas Through the Decades. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1993.

Buday, Gyorgy. The History of the Christmas Card. London: Spring Books, 1964.

Foley, Daniel. The Christmas Tree. Philadelphia: Chilton Co., 1960.

Goldby, J.M., and A. W. Purdue. The Making of Modern Christmas. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press, 1986.

Gray, Nada. Holidays: Victorian Women Celebrate in Pennsylvania. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 1983.

Johnson, George. Christmas Ornaments, Lights and Decorations. A Collector's Identification and Value Guide. Paducah, KY: Collector Books, 1987.

Kainan, Ruth C. America's Christmas Heritage. New York: Funk and Wagnalls, 1969.

Merck, Robert M. Deck the Halls. New York: Abbeville Press, 1992.

Nissenbaum, Stephen. The Battle for Christmas. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996.

O'Neil, Sunny. The Gift of Christmas Past: A Return to Victorian Traditions. Nashville, TN: American Association for State and Local History, 1981.

Restad, Penne L. Christmas in America: A History. New York: Oxford University Press, 1995.

Rogers, Maggie, and Judith Hawkins. The Glass Christmas Ornament: Old and New. A Collector's Compendium and Price Guide. Forest Grove, OR: Timber Press, 1977.

Rogers, Maggie, and Peter Hallinan. The Santa Claus Picture Book. New York: E.P. Dutton, 1984.

Schiffer, Margaret. Christmas Ornaments: A Festive Study. Exton, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1984.

_____. Holidays: Toys and Decorations. West Chester, PA: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1985.

Snyder, Phillip V. December 25th: The Joys of Christmas Past. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1985.

_____. The Christmas Tree Book: The History of the Christmas Tree and Antique Christmas Tree Ornaments. New York: Viking Press, 1976.

The Time-Life Book of Christmas. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1987.

Waits, Willliam B. The Modern Christmas in America: A Cultural History of Gift Giving. New York: New York University Press, 1993.

Articles on Christmas appear in collectors' magazines such as Antiques and Hobbies, and can be found under the appropriate headings in The Art Index and The Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature.

Prepared by the Division Social History, Domestic Life Collections,
in cooperation with the Public Inquiry Mail Service,
Smithsonian Institution

PIMS/DOM41/rev. 7/97

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