In last December’s issue of Around Kennesaw, I shared a history of Christmas celebrations in Kennesaw, including Christmas gifts. This year, I would like to share some letters to Santa from Kennesaw’s past. Each of these was found in historic editions of the Marietta Daily Journal or the Cobb County Times. Enjoy!
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I am a little girl eight years old. I want you to please bring me just a few things. I want a small doll carriage, a trunk, a rubber ball and lots of fruit and candy. And don’t forget to bring papa and mama something nice too, and bring all my schoolmates something, and my teacher, too. And bring my little neighbor children something.
– Your little friend, Inez McCollum (Dec. 16, 1916)
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I want you to come this way and bring me a ribbon clasp, a box of crayons, a pair of kid gloves and plenty of fruits and candy of all kinds. And bring mama something nice and papa a warm cap. And be sure and come to see all my little neighbor children.
– Wishing you a merry Christmas, I am your friend, Pauline McCollum. (Dec. 16, 1916)
♦ Dear Old Santa Claus: I am a great big boy 8 years old. Now you know very well some things I want real bad, although I will tell you of a few things. A brand new tricycle: wagon large enough to hold my big brother, who is a year and a half old; plenty of nuts, fire crackers, apples, oranges, raisins, red striped candy, two or three tops, base ball and a new saddle, not so very large, so I can ride our pony. Now don’t forget me.
– Your friend, Charlie Allison (1919)
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I am a little boy seven years old. I am going to school. I want you to bring me a little gun, a knife, some oranges, apples, candy, raisins and other fruits, and bring my little brothers something. Please bring my school teacher, Miss Louise Williams, something.
– From Albert Taylor (1923)
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I am a little girl 10 years old and am in the fourth grade. I want you to bring me a little sewing machine, a box of crayons, a little doll in a basket, a tea-set and all kinds of fire works, candies, and fruit. Don’t forget my two brothers.
– Your little friend, Evelyn Turner (Dec. 11, 1927)
♦ Dear Santa: You must be the best man in the world. Next to my daddy you always bring so many nice things. This year Santa I have a great surprise for you. I am going to school and have made one hundred in deportment each month and I’ve been going four months. Now don’t you think that’s good Santa. I’m not asking but for one thing and that is a desk. Please remember my class mate, Dorothy Pratt.
– Love, Sammie Dyer (1931)
♦ Dear Santa: Will you please bring me a cap pistol and some caps, a little knife, and a chain on it?
– Your little friend, Charles Dunn (1936)
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I am a little girl 15 months old. I want a little doll, a little tea set, a new pair of shoes, all kinds of pretty things.
– Your little girl, Vera Rebecca Swanson (1938)
♦ Dear Santa Claus: I want you to bring me tinker toys, a tricycle, boxing gloves, G-man’s suit, a lone ranger outfit. I’ve been a good boy. I’m five years old. Bring my dog Yo-Yo a ball and me an electric train.
– William Ellis (Dec. 1, 1940)
♦ Dear Santa: I am in the second grade and have tried to be a good girl. Please bring me a stove, refrigerator, tea set, and a tiny tears doll. I would also like some blue jeans and gloves. My little brother, Marvin, is three. He wants a wagon, a little guitar and some guns. Please remember all the other little children and give them something nice. I will leave you something to eat under the tree.
– I love you, Margaret Ann Hogan (1956)
♦ Dear Santa: I am a little boy five years old and I have been normally good. Will you please bring me an electric train, a saw set, a fire wagon, and some dump trucks. Don’t forget all the other little boys and girls who have been good this year.
– Love, David Taylor (1958)
– Andrew Bramlett is vice president of the Kennesaw Historical Society and an honorary member of the Kennesaw Cemetery Preservation Commission.
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