Many Christmas songs of the 1940’s came from movies of the era, including “White Christmas” (1941) and “Happy Holidays” (1942) -- both from the movie Holiday Inn. Other favorites were:
The book Christmas 1940 was originally published as a short story in Liberty Magazine and was then published in picture-book format that same year. The story by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with illustrations by Fritz Kredel, is a holiday story of a young Dutch girl whose father had been killed in the war. It carries a message of faith and hope during uncertain times. The book was reprinted in 1986.
In the 1940’s, a variety of editions of Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens had been released, and many people continue to enjoy his writing. A Visit from St. Nicholas, also known as The Night Before Christmas, was first published 1823 and was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore. It remained a popular story for children in the 1940s.
The children’s classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was first released for Christmas 1939 and became a huge best-seller in the 1940s for the Montgomery Ward department store. Because of restrictions on paper during the war years, the company was forced to stop issuing the book. However, they resumed publication in 1946 and the book was more popular than ever.
- “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1943)
- “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944)
- “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1945)
- “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (1946)
- “Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)” (1947)
- “Sleigh Ride” (1948)
- “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949)
- “Blue Christmas” (1949)
In the 1940’s, a variety of editions of Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens had been released, and many people continue to enjoy his writing. A Visit from St. Nicholas, also known as The Night Before Christmas, was first published 1823 and was later attributed to Clement Clarke Moore. It remained a popular story for children in the 1940s.
The children’s classic, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was first released for Christmas 1939 and became a huge best-seller in the 1940s for the Montgomery Ward department store. Because of restrictions on paper during the war years, the company was forced to stop issuing the book. However, they resumed publication in 1946 and the book was more popular than ever.
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