Page 39 2025 Home For The Holidays Lincoln Daily News The Chas. G Reed store advertised Christmas books, Bibles, fine leather goods, perfumes and games. When it came to celebrating, nineteenth century holiday festivities had a different focus than what we see in the twenty first century. An article on 19th century traditions and customs says, “the religious significance of holidays was much more prominent in the 19th century. Christmas, for example, was primarily a religious holiday centered around attending church services and reflecting on the birth of Jesus.” In December 1895, The Lincoln Herald described “Christmas doings” being planned at area churches. For example, M.E. Church was planning to have a “snow mountain” with “a cavern in it from which presents will be handed out.” Some of the entertainment included “exercises of a literary character.” At the Baptist school, the celebration was to include “a couple Christmas trees, presents and speeches.” The C.P. Church planned to have “an oldfashioned Christmas tree” in addition to “some literary exercises, vocal music accompanied by the orchestras, and fine decorations.” Entertainment at the Presbyterian S.S. would include “vocal and orchestral music and a scripture service” as part of the Christmas celebration. The children would also receive presents. The two German Lutheran churches were going to have “their usual Christmas trees, carols and recitations.” At the Disciples church Sunday School, there would be “entertainment for the children” and presents would be handed out. Both of the Catholic churches planned Christmas masses. The early 20th Century As an article about Christmas in the 20th century said, “it was the start of the 20th century that saw the turn towards the lavish and very commercial holiday that we all know today.” During the month of December 1901, there were many advertisements in the Lincoln Daily News Herald with seemingly extravagant gift ideas. One advertisement had a list of gift suggestions for friends that included “dinner ware, silver ware, fancy china, cut glass, cutlery, lamps, toys, dolls, gocarts, doll cabs.” It even recommended buying friends a “Bissell carpet sweeper.” Virginia Allain’s “What Was Christmas Like in 1900?” lists some of the ways the holiday was celebrated. “Attendance at church services was a central part of Christmas celebrations” and there were “children going door to door, singing carols and spreading holiday cheer.”
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