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On April 6, 1917, America entered World War I. The war and the draft were not popular among the American people. It was a time of dissension and sacrifice. The American government passed laws suppressing free speech and civil rights. Through all of this, the Christmas spirit survived and old Saint Nicholas spread his Christmas cheer throughout the world. It was a time when the spirit of Christmas was needed for the many families that had loved ones fighting and dying in Europe. Here are a few ways that Santa Claus made the Arizona news of the times.
GERMAN XMAS TOYS VERBOTEN read the Dec. 1 headline in an article in the Mohave County Miner newspaper. The article read in part: “Liberty toys are coming across the continent for the kiddies of the west. They are loyal Yankee toys, not an enemy alien among them.”
“Time was when the mark ‘made in Germany’ was the proper credential for a toy in this country, but that is all gone now. German dolls are ‘verboten’. Other countries are to busy for toy making, and if they weren’t, ship space would be needed for something else. There will be no toys from the Orient because of the demand for steamers.”
“But the Liberty toys, made by clever and nimble American fingers, Sammy Dolls, Red Cross Dolls, Pershing Dolls, and Hoover Dolls, are already arriving. These are troubulous days for the railroad, but the word has gone out that there must be no embargo against Santa Claus.”
On Dec. 16, the Bisbee Review reported on local women preparing Christmas packages. “The Christmas boxes that are to carry clothing, stockings and little gifts across the U-boat haunted Atlantic to the children of France.” It was announced that the municipal Christmas tree would be put up again this year. It was explained about the importance of the tree especially during the troubled times. “There are several reasons why the municipal tree should be held this year, more than ever before, but the main reason is that it gives a great many children the opportunity to get acquainted first hand with a certain personage whom they do not often have a chance to meet, that quaint old saint, Santa Claus.”
“Many Bisbee homes have been visited by the twin unwelcome guests, Hard Times and War Times. There will not be as much gaiety among the old folks this Christmas, and the children, who can’t understand, feel vaguely that something has happened to upset their Christmas happiness.”
Bank of Bisbee’s advertisement
The Bank of Bisbee used Santa Claus to sell War Bonds under the heading “Send Santa Claus to the Front”. The ad asked for people to buy the saving certificates to buy guns and tanks. It seemed to be the antithesis of the Christmas spirit. In other ads, Albert Steinfeld and Company used Santa a bit more eloquently in getting people to shop at their downtown Tucson store. “No matter if conditions are changed materially, no matter if we are plunged deep in war and plunging deeper, the beautiful spirit of Christmas will prevail. If we cannot yet have Peace on Earth we can continue good will towards men and women.”
Overseas where the Christmas spirit was needed more than ever, American troops helped bring Christmas to some children in France with the help of Santa Claus. The Arizona Daily Star reported “The first of the Christmas concerts and entertainment for the children, especially the little refugees, will be held in a theater in a town where the correspondents have their headquarters. There will be a Christmas tree presided over by Pere Noel, or Santa Claus, who on other days is an American officer. Many American soldiers contributed to the fund for the purchase of gifts, one machine gun battalion alone having raised 3,000 francs.”
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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