Christmas Through the Decades

Christmas in the 1960s was a turbulent time, marked by the tragic loss of JFK and absent loved ones fighting in Vietnam. A live Christmas Eve broadcast from Apollo 8 astronauts offered peace and hope to all on Earth, and Charlie Brown reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas.

In the 1970s we traveled to a galaxy far far away with our Star Wars action figures and visited Big Bird on Sesame Street. And though the holidays were tense as we waited anxiously for American hostages to be released in Iran, we were also able to enjoy the fun of Pet Rocks

The 80s were all about the Walkman, Cabbage Patch Kids, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. Relive the splendor of Clark Griswold’s Christmas light display, and rock out as now classic hits by Run DMC and Band Aid set the soundtrack for the holiday season.

The 90s holiday season began with cheer as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev resigned on Christmas Day. Desktop computers, Tickle Me Elmo and the latest Beanie Baby toys were on everyone's Christmas list. And Socks the Cat got his own Christmas decorations at the White House.