History of Christmas Presents Tobacco
1935 advertisment
I remember giving cigars to my father for Christmas, back in the 1970’s and this was not uncommon. Tobacco had long been thought of as a suitable, uncontroversial and relatively inexpensive choice for a present. Indeed, cigarettes from the 1930's into the 1960’s were a very popular present.
The cigarettes were pretty cheap and so a full carton was only a moderately expensive gift. Many fathers and mothers got cigarettes for Christmas and many cigarette companies decorated their cartons with seasonal themes. They also packaged them different ways, 4 packs were not uncommon.
Cigarettes were given out as Christmas gifts to barbers, mailmen and even to teachers by grateful parents. Since most people smoked this was a safe gift, the only problem is you needed to make sure to get the person’s preferred brand. How times have changed? Below are several examples of classic Cigarette ads for Christmas.
1940 CHESTERFIELDS
1949 OLD GOLD
1960 LUCKY STRIKE
1941 OLD GOLD
1959 LUCKY STRIKE
1963 L&M CIGARETTES
1936 PHILLIP MORRIS
1939 LUCKY STRIKE
1951 FATIMA CIGARETTES
- History of Christmas Plum Pudding
History of the classic Christmas dessert, plum pudding. - Louis Prang vintage Christmas Cards
In the late 19th century, Louis Prang and his company developed some of the most elaborate and beautiful Christmas cards ever produced. - Vintage Christmas Advertising Trade Cards
19th century advertising was done on trade cards that were given out by stores or manufacturers and special ones were made at Christmastime.
