Christmas in Vancouver is full of lights, festive festivities and, this year at least, lots of rain. But how did Vancouverites celebrate Christmas decades ago?

From Santas arriving by helicopter and riding on trains with chimps to Salvation Army donation kettle shakedowns and shops prepping for the holiday rush, Christmas in Vancouver, as seen through these vintage photographs, was interesting indeed!

(And no, we have no idea what’s happening in that Christmas card with the bird photo either…)

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Woodwards Department Store in preparation for the Attorney General’s Christmas Party, Nov. 22, 1948.

Photo via West Vancouver Archives

Santa and chimp at Park Royal Shopping Centre, 1960s.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

Former mayor of Vancouver L.D. Taylor enjoying a cigar and the company of Katerine Federici in his living room at Granville Mansions at Christmas, 1930s.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

B.C. Electric Sales Room decorated for Christmas, 1932.

Photo via Surrey Archives

Santa Arrives at Dell Shopping Mall in Whalley by helicopter, Dec. 17, 1964.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

S.P.C.A. Christmas Puppy, Dec. 19, 1966.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

The Case Triplets visit Santa, 1939.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Vancouver General Hospital Christmas Tree, Dec. 13, 1965.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

Ward of Shaughnessy Hospital decorated for Christmas celebrations, 1920.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Kiwanis Club clowns Christmas visit at Children’s Hospital, Dec. 14, 1965.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Fireman playing Santa at Children’s Hospital, Dec. 16, 1966.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Fireman at Children’s Hospital with Santa, Dec. 16, 1966.

Photo via Surrey Archives

Kinsmen Christmas Tree Sale in Newton, Dec. 24, 1964.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Salvation Army cheer pot novelty picture, Dec. 1950s.

Photo via West Vancouver Archives

Santa and his sleigh at Park Royal Shopping Centre, Dec. 1951.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

Robert Corbin’s electrically decorated house at 7925 Shaughnessy Street, Jan. 6, 1934.

Photo via Richmond Archives

Christmas in Steveston, 1940.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Collecting toys for Christmas, Dec. 3, 1965.

Photo via Vancouver Public Library

Marine Building interior decorated for Christmas, date unknown.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

Hudson Bay Company woman sitting with display Santa, 1943.

Photo via West Vancouver Archives

Advertisement for Christmas at Park Royal, Dec. 1952.

Photo via Vancouver Archives

“Christmas comes but once a year – so we share our cake and ‘ditch’ our fear.” A merry Christmas from the Birds’ Paradise, Vancouver, B.C.’s Charles E. Jones and Family, 1938.

 

Written by Kendall Walters of Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours.