Local history: Dolls, guns and a real horse? Letters to Santa from 1948

Some wanted a lot while others wanted a little. All were hopeful.

In December 1948, the Beacon Journal published children’s letters to Santa Claus. The notes offer a glimpse of what it was like to be a kid in that optimistic era after World War II.

Those earnest youngsters would be in their 80s now. We hope that they got what they wished for 75 years ago — and every Christmas since then.

Here are some of those letters.

Dear Santa: I am 7 years old. I would like a pair of cowboy boots and a pair of riding breeches and a real horse.

Sincerely,

Helen Feiler

Dear Santa: Please bring us a doll baby, some dishes and comic books.

And our Grandma’s dog “Touser” needs a new ball because he chewed the last one you brought him last year and there is nothing left of it.

Don’t forget Mommy and Daddy, and we promise to be good girls.

Dorothy Jean and

Patricia Lynn Thompson

Dear Santa: I want an erection set and a bike.

John Hillery

Dear Santa: I am sorry that I was so bad. But I will be a good girl from now on. I want a baton and a majorette suit. And Merry Christmas to you.

Shirley Cowan

Dear Santa: I am 4 years old.

I dream a lot about you every night.

Here’s what I want:

1. Teddy bear.

2. A little dolly.

3. A blue and white tricycle.

4. Refrigerator.

Carolyn Herman

Dear Santa: I am a very good little boy and I have a very nice little sister.

I want a fire engine, dump truck, car station, tractor, rollover airplane, steam engine, freight train, new car and sled and a pair of ice skates and a tool set.

My little sister wants a dolly. Thank you.

Sammy and Karen Elaine

Dear Santa: I am Pammy Jo Douglas. I am a good girl.

Do you think that you could bring me a dolly, buggy, little swing for my dolly and a play pen.

Please bring my brother Billy some things because he is a good boy and my sissy, daddy and mommy, too.

And don’t forget other little boys and girls. And if you don’t have enough things then I will let you share some of the things that I want with some other little boys and girls.

I love you, Santa. Thank you.

Pammy Jo Douglas

Dear Santa: I have been a good boy. I have two stars for being a good boy in school.

Will you please send me a bike, a watch, some guns and a hunting knife?

Your friend, Joe Browder Shively

Dear Santa: I would like a tiddley wink set and a scooter.

Yours, with love,

Lois Jean Davis

Dear Santa: My name is Norma and I am 7 years old. Do you think I have been a good girl? I help my mother and father.

This is what I want for Christmas: A box of crayons, some tablets, some pencils and a scrap book and some socks.

We will have some lunch for you.

Norma Watts

Dear Santa: I want some boats, airplanes, a gas station, wagon, cowboy suit and some little cars.

I am a good boy, most of the time, and promise to be better.

Tommy Richardson

Dear Santa: Please bring me an electric iron and a baby doll.

Marguerita Cotrufo

Dear Santa: I think I have been a good boy.

I hope you will go in the kitchen and see what we have for you to eat.

Please bring me a fire engine, tow and dirt truck, a train and a tool set. My brother would like a basketball, baseball, earmuffs and gloves. Please bring my sister a sweater and a scarf and my mother some house slippers and my daddy some ties.

Thank you, Santa.

Bobby McCann

Dear Santa: May I have a bicycle and a baby doll, too?

And please bring for my baby sister a doll carriage, color book and crayons.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Mary Ellen Baker

P.S. Please get my little brother a little choo-choo train.

Dear Santa: Please bring me a set of dishes and a baton and a two-wheeled bike.

Your little friend,

Lorraine Nash

Dear Santa: I would like a tool box and some little cars and a tow truck.

Paul Smeller

Dear Santa: I am 5 years old. I go to kindergarten.

Please bring me a little doggie that I can wind up so he will jump and bark.

My Dad bought me a little scottie and I loved him so much but my Grandma would not let me keep him for she does not like dogs.

I will be a good boy. Bye now.

Sammy Menovich

Dear Santa: I want a shirt and a choo-choo train.

Patrick Normanly

Dear Santa: I have tried to be a good girl this year.

I would like a sewing set, bracelet and ring and a doll that cries.

Love,

Marcia Tomlinson

Dear Santa: I would like a doll and bathinette and sweeper set.

Thank you.

Ruth Ann Lewellen

Dear Santa: I have been a good girl. I am 9 years of age.

I would like some books, a record player and a nurse set.

Please bring my baby sister, Margaret, a blackboard, coloring book, crayons and a sled.

Your friend,

Patricia Zofchak

Dear Santa: I want you to know that I have tried very hard to be good all year, so will you please visit my house this Christmas Eve?

It would also make me very happy if you would write me a letter from Santa Claus Land.

Anna Louise Baker

Dear Santa: Please bring me something useful this year. I don’t need any toys. Please bring Carol and Richie something nice. I have been sort of good this year. Will try to be better next year.

Merry Christmas.

Linda Gloyd

Dear Santa: I would like a two-wheeled bike.

James Lisic

Dear Santa: I want a doctor set and a fire engine set. I want a cowboy suit, too. And a new pair of slippers, gas station and some cars with it. Well, that’s all I want this year.

Bernard Costanzo

Dear Santa: I would like a train and a bicycle and a truck.

Thank you.

Bucky Boltz

Dear Santa: I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Santa, I want most of all for children everywhere to have a Merry Christmas, too.

Sincerely yours,

Joanne Dixon

Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Letters to Santa from 1948: Dolls, guns and a real horse?