American Legacies Organization, Inc.

I was born in the 1940’s and as you can see in the image we were able to SEE Santa Claus in the comfort of our own home.

I later learned that my Uncle Clyde Hostetter did the wonderful performance of Santa Claus for us.

***Christmas***Letter from the Editor

By Franklin T Wike, Jr.

What makes Christmas special for you?

As young children, our interest in Christmas leaned more towards getting gifts than giving them.

Mario Ruiz // Getty Images

Holiday Gift Crazes And Fads Of The Past Century

The holidays are about family, friends, feasting, and yes, if we're being honest, presents. Overall, holiday spending is expected to reach record levels in the 2023 season, up to $966.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation's holiday forecast. (That's $37 billion more than in 2022.) The number is inclusive of gifts, food, decor, and other holiday-related purchases, but there's no doubt the first category is a hefty portion of the total spending.

A Sunday school teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took
Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: "They couldn't get
a baby sitter."
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A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her
five and six year-olds. After explaining the commandment to "honor thy
father and thy mother," she asked "Is there a commandment that teaches
us how to treat our brothers and sisters?" Without missing a beat one
little boy answered, "Thou shall not kill."

Rex K. Williams // Shutterstock

Top Holiday Toys From The Year You Were Born

Growing up, kids who celebrated Christmas always had that one toy they were hoping to see under the tree on Dec. 25—the one that they whispered about in Santa's ear, wondering if he and his trusty reindeer would come through.

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said,"Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold,silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

My Mom used to cut chicken, chop eggs and spread mayo on the same cutting board with the same knife and no bleach, but we didn't seem to get food poisoning.

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My Mom used to defrost hamburger on the counter AND I used to eat it raw sometimes too, our school sandwiches were wrapped in wax paper in a brown paper bag not in icepack coolers, but I can't remember getting infected with e-coli?

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Christmas 1944

By Dr. Sylvia Morris

No snow capped mountain in this Southern climb

No brightly decorated homes this Christmas time

No clanging sleigh bells in the evening air

No voices blending Christmas carols fair

No cheery Merry Christmases across the backyard fence

Hi there. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.

Photograph from 1952 of Donald Wike on the left, Santa Claus in the middle and Franklin Wike on the right

U S Legacies Magazine December 2005