Here is part of how Americans celebrated Christmas during the
war years.
Christmas has always been
a major holiday in the United States, but during World War II (1941-45) the holiday took on special
meaning as most families had a loved one serving in the military who could not
be home for Christmas. Peace on Earth
was not just a nice phrase found on Christmas cards, but the number one prayer
of Americans everywhere. The Christmas season gave hope that while this year many were away, maybe next year the war
would be over and missing family members would return home.
Christmas has always been
a major holiday in the United States, but during World War II (1941-45) the holiday took on special
meaning as most families had a loved one serving in the military who could not
be home for Christmas. Peace on Earth
was not just a nice phrase found on Christmas cards, but the number one prayer
of Americans everywhere. The Christmas season gave hope that while this year many were away, maybe next year the war
would be over and missing family members would return home.
Americans tried their best to celebrate Christmas. Families on the Home Front dealt with painful
separations and lost loved ones which the holiday made agonizing. But those keeping
the home front fires burning worked hard at making Christmas merry for the children.
Before the war, America was still
recovering from the great depression when money and jobs were scarce. Shoppers
were often limited to window shopping, not having any extra money to purchase
anything. When the war began, war production went into high gear bringing good-paying
jobs and additional income. But, there was little to buy as rationing and priorities in war
production left few goods on the shelves. Metal toys nearly disappeared as did
automobiles, radios, bicycles, typewriters, and other goods.
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For the soldiers, sailors and airmen
overseas, military necessity and lack of accommodations forced them to have minimal
celebrations. Many of the boys serving overseas got the blues. But presents
from home cheered them.
Before the war, America was still
recovering from the great depression when money and jobs were scarce. Shoppers
were often limited to window shopping, not having any extra money to purchase
anything. When the war began, war production went into high gear bringing good-paying
jobs and additional income. But, there was little to buy as rationing and priorities in war
production left few goods on the shelves. Metal toys nearly disappeared as did
automobiles, radios, bicycles, typewriters, and other goods.
Wartime production priorities greatly
restricted the presents that children could receive for Christmas. Who better
to tell the kids than St. Nick? Santa Claus had to lower children’s expectations
when they came to sit on his lap. Santa explained that a particular toy had too
much steel in it - and that steel was needed for the war. If a child seemed
disappointed, Santa told the child that some children living in the countries
where the war was being fought would have no Christmas. With the shortage of
men, Santa was often a woman.
The song, White Christmas, debuted
in 1942. Sung by Bing Crosby it became an instant success as its peaceful
feeling hit home with those on the home front and those on the battle front. I’ll
Be Home for Christmas debuted in 1943. The words touched the hearts of
separated loved ones. Both songs are still classics sung at Christmas.
For the soldiers, sailors and airmen
overseas, military necessity and lack of accommodations forced them to have minimal
celebrations. Many of the boys serving overseas got the blues. But presents
from home cheered them.
Do you have a Christmas story
from the World War II years that you’d like to share? Maybe a soldier or someone
in your family shared his or her experience. Maybe you have a story of how a
child at home felt during those years at Christmas from 1941 to 1945. I’d love
to hear your stories. Please leave a comment.
ANNE
GREENE
delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines. Her second novel,
a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won three
prestigious book awards. The sequel Marriage
By Arrangement, finalled in a number of contests. A Texas Christmas Mystery
also won several awards. Look for Anne’s new World War II historical romance, Angel
With Steel Wings, early in 2015. The first book in Anne’s lady
detective series, Holly Garden, PI, Red is for Rookie, débuts later in 2015.
Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to awesome new
worlds and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord
Jesus. Anne makes her home in McKinney, Texas. She loves to talk with her
readers. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.Amazon.com. Talk with Anne
on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. View Anne’s books, travel pictures and art work
at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com.
Learn more about Anne as well as gain
tips on writing award-winning novels at http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com.
VISIT WITH ANNE here at Heroes, Heroines, & History every 14th
day of every month.
