Christmas in Littleton

From the Littleton Guidon

Christmas of 1906 in Littleton must be recorded as eminently successful if there is any evidence in happy faces and merry voices at the Christmas  festivals of the various churches, and best of all, the hearty response of the children to the invitation for Christmas remembrances for the poor.  Two heaping barrelsful of gifts were forwarded from the Baptist church alone to Salvation Army headquarters.

The good old English custom of singing carols on Christmas eve was revived Monday evening, when a company of about 10 children sang of “peace and good will” just outside many homes in the west end.  Joyous their sweet voices sounded in the crisp December air.  Thank you dear little folk.

1910- Christmas Visitors-  George Wright and family of Lowell were holiday guests of his sister, Mrs. W.E. Conant.  Mr. and Mrs. Wallace B. Conant of Concord were at his father’s on Christmas.  Mrs. Mary Houghton Holt and daughter, Miss Clara Shaw of Belmont spent Christmas at Charles W. Houghton’s.  James Smith’s family, twenty in all, celebrated Christmas at their home on Harvard Avenue.  Mrs. Patrick Neagle’s family were all at home for the holiday.  Miss Alice Halpin of Groton spent Christmas with her sister, Mrs. Sullivan at the common.  Mrs. Lucy Pickard went to Chelmsford to celebrate with son George and family.  Clement Kimball spent last Sunday at A.T. Kimball’s. 

A pleasant home gathering was held with Hon. George w. Sanderson on Monday December 26, when the four generations of his family, including the families of Chester F. Flagg,  Josiah P. Thatcher, Judge George A. Sanderson, Arthur F. Blanchard, Burton S. Flagg and Charles R. Houghton centered under the paternal roof to participate in the Christmas festivities.  Following the dinner an entertainment fitting to the day was carried out by the children when the old dining room was transformed into Santa Claus land, and the old walls which for generations have cherished such reunions, once more echoed with happy Christmas carols and added another red letter day to the memory of everyone present.

1893- The spirit of good cheer was never more manifestly abroad in Littleton than upon the evening of Christmas just past.  The vestry of the Congregational church was the scene of one of those social happy gatherings which we love to look back upon as expressions of Christian fellowship and hearty good will.  The children of the parish turned out in full number, accompanied by their elders whose beaming faces seemed to have taken on again the enthusiasm of childhood.

The entertainment of the evening was furnished chiefly by the Sunday school.  Recitations by the younger members were followed by a very creditable rendering of a cantata, called “Christmas eve at grandpa’s” during the progress of which jolly old Santa Claus himself appeared upon the scene.

1890- A Christmas tree in full bloom will appear in the vestry of the Congregational Church for the children, on  Christmas eve.

The annual Christmas gathering at the vestry of the Baptist church, on Wednesday evening, was attended by a large number, elderly people as well as children being present in good numbers.  After a bountiful supper, all were highly entertained with reading by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Cloues, of the Birds Christmas carol by Mrs. Kate Wiggin.  The tree which is ready for harvesting only on Dec 25^th, this year bore a bountiful crop of fruit.  The branches were rapidly relieved of their heavy weight, many valuable presents being distributed.

The Christmas gathering, Thursday afternoon, at the Unitarian vestry, called out most of the little ones, who seemed to have a delightful time in games, plays and marching, which, together with the refreshments, and Christmas trees hanging full of candy bags, pleased the little ones. 

There were quite a number of family reunions here Christmas day.  Notably one at C.P. Hartwells, where we counted twenty members of the family around the festive board; another at Mrs. L.A. Wright’s , where seventeen of her family sat down to a Christmas dinner.  Mr. and Mr.s J.W. Ireland invited their relatives with their children to unite with them in having a Christmas tree at their home on Harwood avenue, and more than twenty responded and a very pleasant enjoyable evening was spent in games and plays and watching the little radiant faces.  Some jokes were called from the blooming tree.