Holiday shopping in New York at the beginning of the 20th century: memories in photos from the Library of Congress

At the beginning of the 20th century, when the first major transformations in consumer culture took place, holiday shopping in New York became a real holiday for the city's residents. Photographs from that time reflect not only the fashion and goods of the period, but also the atmosphere that reigned in the stores.

These 1910 photos were taken by the Bain News Service, one of America's first news agencies, and are now owned by the Library of Congress. On them you can see elegant shop windows, which have become an important part of the holiday decor. They impressed with their beauty and originality: from toy scenes to huge dolls in festive outfits.

The photos show how carefully the stores were decorated. Garlands, large banners with festive wishes and toys created an atmosphere of charm and expectation of a miracle. People felt not only the smell of Christmas trees, but also the atmosphere of the upcoming holidays.

The clothes and fashion of the period are also noteworthy. Women wore exquisite dresses, shoes and accessories. Men also followed the latest trends, showing elegance and refined taste. Children looked longingly at the toy windows, hoping to get a special gift for the holidays.

The photos show what products were popular at the time. Large gift boxes, Christmas decorations and toys, sweets and fruits - all these goods created the atmosphere of the holiday and gave joy and pleasure.

These photos of holiday shopping at the beginning of the 20th century in New York give us the opportunity to travel back in time and feel the atmosphere of those unique moments. They impress not only with their beauty, but also convey the special spirit of the holiday and joyful atmosphere that reigned in the heart of the big city.

Source: loc.gov