What did children wish for at Christmas more than a century ago?
The R.L. Ripples “TweetsOfOld” Twitter feed, which converts old newspaper items into tweets, has been sharing the Christmas hopes of kids from the early 20th century.
Some are familiar. Some are funny. Some are heartwarming. And a few are heartbreaking.
Here’s a sampling:
Dear Santa: Bring mamma a new dress. and papa a new suit. and me a hundred dollars worth of peanuts. so I guess that is all. Russell
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 6, 2017
Missouri 1919
Santa, Just bring me the same things as my brother Joe, only more of them and better. I live at the same place as he does. Guy Oklahoma1901
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 3, 2017
Dear Santa: My doll had a very bad accident. She smashed her head between a door so now she hasnt any head. Please bring her a head. Olga IL1903
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 3, 2017
Dear Santee, Pleas ask God to give us back our mamma and you can give our presents to somebody else. We just only want her. -Harriette
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 11, 2017
Nebraska 1901
Dear Santa: Bring me a horse, ox, your love, a doll, of coarse I am a boy but I love girl dolls, pumpkin pie. -Ernest DC1907
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 3, 2017
Dear Santa: Just bring me everything that you can get your hands on. Be sure not to forget. Well, that is all I want. Alice Texas 1900
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 5, 2017
Santa Claus: My papa is ded i havent got no body to get me any thing if you want to send me any thing send it 703 mechanic St Your friend, Floyd Iowa 1915
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 9, 2017
Dear Santa, Don't come to my house because you will scare me. Go to Uncle Henry's house. Clyde Lowe Illinois 1903
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 4, 2017
Dear Santa: I want a basket ball and some candy. Do you remember when I slammed the door in your face? I was afraid of you then. -Jewel
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 6, 2017
New Mexico1922
Dear Santa Claus: I'd order a doll but I'm afraid the girls will laugh at me. -Anson
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 10, 2017
New York 1902
Dear Santa, You better bring me what I want or when I see you I will take your head off. Hoping to get my stuff. Your loving kid, Hexie Bunsclos TheLakeCountyTimes Indiana1910
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 2, 2017
Dear Santa, Please bring me a clown riding a donkey. I have no papa who cares for us. He gives all his money to other children. Lovingly, David Indiana1913
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 5, 2017
Dear Santa: Please bring me a horse, some wood, and a hammer and nails. Papa expects I will be a carpenter. Your girl, Rhoda
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 10, 2017
Virginia 1900
Dear Santa, Bring me a brother play with. Papa was a bad Democrat when he married Ma, but she turn him and now he is an awful Republican. Melvin
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 7, 2017
Missouri 1898
Dear Santa, I thought you was dead I wrote to you many times and you didn't answer. The newspaper said you was living in a hotel. Joe CA1907
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 4, 2017
Dear Santa, Will you please bring me an iron stove it is real cold because the gas has gone out we can not make it come in. Ruth
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 7, 2017
Ohio 1904
Dear Santa, Please bring me a gun and some shells. You had better step light. -Martin Marsalis HattiesburgNews Mississippi1910
— R.L. Ripples (@TweetsofOld) December 1, 2017
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