We are deep into the Holiday season right now and now that I’m not stuck in bed with the cold, I can finish my shopping and get some presents wrapped (thank goodness, I was so far behind).

For today’s post I wanted to share with my readers images of what the Christmas season looked like in Toronto in years gone by, particularly 1960s and older.

vintage Christmas TTC Ad — Vintage TTC Ad. Source: Blog TO

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , eBay are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Vintage Images Of Toronto Christmas Seasons

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Christmas Fleet 1956 outside of the CNE Prince’s Gates.

1950s Vintage Photo: T.T.C. Christmas Fleet, G.M.C. TDH 4512 buses and 1 Can-Car trolley coach. Photo taken at C.N.E. Prince's Gates, [Toronto, Ont.] Dec. 16, 1956. — Source: Archives Canada

The hustle and bustle of the season at shopping malls is not just a modern-day issue. This image from downtown Toronto in 1935 shows you the traffic jams that have been going on for days leading up to Christmas.

Looking south on Yonge St, opposite centre line of Trinity Square; like this from Queen St, to Dundas, every afternoon for days before Christmas; 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 24, 1935, (Traffic Study Department) — Source: Toronto Archives

1920s St. Lawrence Market building all decked out for Christmas.

1920s vintage photo of St. Lawrence Market building all decked out for Christmas. — Source: Toronto Archives

City Hall Christmas Tree in the 1950s (now called ‘Old City Hall’). Residents of Toronto will notice the ‘Eaton store’ in the background. This is now a mall called ‘Toronto Eaton Center’ but no longer holds an Eaton store.

1950s vintage photo: City Hall Christmas Tree in the 1950s (now called 'Old City Hall'). Residents of Toronto will notice the 'Eaton store' in the background — Source: Toronto Archives

Christmas light tour circa 1950s.

1950s vintage photo Toronto christmas lights tour featuring a 1950s bus taking people to look at lights. — Source: Toronto Archives

Toronto annual Santa Claus Parade (see Blog post HERE).

1950s vintage photo of a float in the Toronto Santa Claus parade in 1956. The float features ladies on sleds with snowman and the queen or princess of the parade. — Source: Toronto Archives

December 23rd, 1930-Childrens Christmas Party via the Lions Club. Can someone explain why there are kids dressed as clowns in the crowd?

1930s Vintage Photo: December 23rd, 1930-Childrens Christmas Party via the Lions Club. — Source: Toronto Archives

Snapshot of what was under the Christmas Tree at Miss Marjorie Lang’s home in 1930s Toronto.

Christmas windows at one of the big department stores in Toronto (either Simpsons, or Eatons. I believe Simpsons).

Vintage image of people looking at a Christmas window display at either Simpsons or Eatons.

Christmas Carols for everyone! Wanting to make sure that everyone remembered their carols, the Toronto Telegram inserted the below leaflet into their paper for their readers to have (circa 1960s).

1960s christmas carols vintage paper insert Toronto — Source: Etsy-UNSC2

Santa’s helpers are everywhere, like on airplanes (Trans Canada Airlines to be exact) taking the first consignment airmail from Toronto to Winnipeg in 1939.

1930s vintage photo: First consignment of airmail flown by Trans-Canada Air Lines from Toronto to Winnipeg with Santa making the delivery. — Source: Archives Canada

Family in Toronto unwrapping their Christmas presents in 1953 (notice the vintage Archies and Krazy Kat comics? ohhh want!).

1950s vintage photo: Family in Toronto unwrapping their Christmas presents in 1953 (notice the vintage Archies and Krazy Kat comics? — Source: Flickr-pjs_deceased

And there you have a snapshot into what Toronto looked like during Christmas of times gone by. I hope you enjoyed taking a peek into another view of the city I live in.

Further Reading:

Liz 🙂

POST UPDATED OCTOBER 2023

The holiday season brings with it festive decorations, twinkling lights, cozy decorations, and for some, nostalgia for the Christmas decorations of eras past. Whether you are hoping to relive the Christmases of your childhood or looking to add a unique flair to your holiday decor, vintage Christmas kitsch is the way to go.

With its classic charm and warm, inviting character, vintage Christmas kitsch remains a timeless holiday favorite. Get ready to add a spark of nostalgia to your holiday decor and get shopping (or be inspired by)!

Vintage Christmas Kitsch - Blog Post by the Vintage Inn Blog.

Disclosure: Some of the links on my blog from Etsy , are Affiliate Links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

Note: If you click on an item and it’s no longer available, just hit “Search” and see if you can find similar items. Etsy is filled with tons of vintage items!

Vintage Christmas Kitsch You Can Purchase Right Now OR Be Inspired By For Your Holiday Decorating

Due to items selling as quickly as I post them, I have created an Etsy Collection called “Vintage Christmas Items” and I update it monthly with new products from sellers all over Etsy. Happy Shopping!

The Queen of Kitsch… The Aluminum Christmas Tree!

1960s vintage Christmas a 2 ft Stainless Alumnium Christmas Tree

Further Reading: Aluminum Christmas Trees-Vintage Christmas Decor Fun!

1960s vintage Christmas a 2 ft Stainless Alumnium Christmas Tree

Source: Etsy –SarahsFunFinds

1950s vintage Christmas novelty print full circle skirt featuring the story of “The Night Before Christmas” on it. WOW! So cool!

1950s Vintage Christmas: Christmas novelty print full circle skirt featuring the story of "The Night Before Christmas" on it.

Source: Etsy – VINTAGEVAVAVOOMZ

Vintage 1950s Elves Pixies Salt and Pepper Shakers (no longer avail)

1950s Christmas Decor: Vintage 1950s Elves Pixies Salt and Pepper Shakers

Source: Etsy

1950s Vintage Plastic Santa & Mrs Claus (no longer avail).

1950s Vintage Christmas Mr & Mrs Clause Plastic .

Source: Etsy

A 1950s advent calendar.

1950s vintage advent calendar — Source: Etsy-ThirstyOwlVintage

I have a soft spot for cute vintage Reindeer, like this little guy which can be a napkin holder or maybe even a Christmas card holder. Your choice!

vintage christmas reindeer napkin holder — Source: Etsy-VintageByJade

Rudolph is the coolest reindeer of them all and now you can have a kitschy version of him with this 1940s/50s Vintage Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Ornament.

vintage rudolph the red nose reindeer — Source: Etsy-papertales

No Christmas is complete until you have a Kitschy Santa somewhere on display. This vintage musical Santa carousel Christmas decoration from the 1960’s will do the trick.

1960s Santa musical carousel — Source: Etsy-ThirstyOwlVintage

Mr & Mrs Claus Kissing Salt and Pepper shakers from the 1950s…yes this had to be added to the list!

1950s vintage christmas salt and pepper shakers — Source: Etsy-FromTheVanity

I remember as a child seeing the paper Christmas bells go up as decor for the holiday’s in our home. This Honeycomb bell Christmas decoration in red and green is from the 1940s and in great condition.

Vintage 1940s Honeycomb bell Christmas Decoration — Source: Etsy-vintagebarrel

The Elf on the Shelf craze is still in full effect, so why not add a bit of the vintage to the game with this 1950s shelf sitting Christmas Elf.

vintage elf on the shelf 1950s — Source: Etsy-CoolOldStuffForSale

Cute vintage 1950s elf knee hugger Christmas ornament.

Rare Vintage Christmas Elf Ornament 1950s Vintage Christmas

Source: Etsy

Here is another 1950s aluminum Christmas tree for your tabletop.

aluminum Christmas tree, 1950's — Source: Etsy-pennsvintage

Another cute 1950s Christmas kitschy felt circle skirt. You will be the hit of the party for sure.

1950s felt novelty christmas skirt — Source: Etsy-YellowWoodVintage

Genuine 1950’s circle skirt in soft wool felt with four big poinsettias made of red, green and yellow ribbons accented with bugle beads and gold paint.

1950s Felt Circle Christmas Skirt / Poinsettias

Source: Etsy

Here is another Felt Applique Circle Skirt but this time with a Holiday Train. Ohhhhhhh….

1950s felt novelty christmas skirt with train — Source: Etsy-GarishVibeVintage

1950s style Christmas light earrings by Glitz-O-Matic.

Note: This style is no longer sold but Glitz-O-Matic has a whole collection of kitschy fun Christmas Jewelry you can purchase right now (brand new, not vintage).

Source: Etsy

Why not pair one of the skirts with a pair of red Christmas bell screw back on earrings from the 1960’s?

1960s vintage bell christmas earrings — Source: Etsy-ThirstyOwlVintage

And you could add these 2 ceramic Santa’s helpers brooches to your top.

vintage elf brooch 1960s — Source: Etsy-ThirstyOwlVintage

Speaking of tops….Here is one for that special guy in your life. A 1940s/50s Poinsettia/Snowflake Patterned sweater.

1940s 1950s vintage christmas sweater — Source: Etsy-RealGoneVintage

Pom Pom’s on a top…Kitschy!! But oh so fantastic. I have been drooling over this sweater for some time now, but alas it’s not in my size or price range.

1950s Red Hoodie Drawstring vintage Sweater — Source: Etsy-LOSTLAKEvintage

Question time: Will you be picking up some fun kitsch for your home or for someone else this holiday season?

Happy Kitschmas!!

Further Reading: Collection of Vintage Christmas Blog Posts from the 1920s-1960s

Liz 🙂

Category: Vintage Christmas

Vintage Images Of Toronto Christmas Seasons

Vintage Christmas Kitsch You Can Purchase Right Now OR Be Inspired By For Your Holiday Decorating