Writer Colby Dunn plummed the depths of  The Morgan County Citizen’s  archive as we revisit the good old days of Christmas past

December 20, 1912
Dear Santa,
How are you? Please bring us two shot guns and a camping tent. And please bring us a pound of sugar and a pound of lemons. And some fireworks and some apples and some raisins. We are going camping.

Erwin Godfrey Trammell
Edward Taylor Newton
Just leave it at Ed's house, Santa Claus.
Madison, Ga,
Dec. 14, 1912

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A letter from the editor
To the employees of the paper first, who serve it so faithfully and so efficiently; to the patrons next, who make it possible for us to pay the employees and keep the paper going, and to the correspondents, whose excellent letters are sources of interest, and to every reader, we extend cordial Christmas greetings, trusting that the season may be one of much joy and happiness to every one of you.

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December 18, 1925

Dear Santa Claus:
It is just a week to Christmas. I thought I had better write you in time–there will be so many letters for you to read it will take you some time to get through them all. But you must be sure and take time to read mine. I want you to please bring me a doll. I would like for her to have golden hair and blue eyes. I want a little bed for her, too. You will know about the other things–you always do.
Don't forget little Sallie. She wants a doll, too. A rubber one will do. She is only six months old. I am ten years old, and am in the third grade. I think I have written enough–don't you?
From Bessie Harper
Rutledge, Ga.

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December 18, 1931

From a community column
As the Christmas season approaches this year, there is a feeling abroad in the land somewhat akin to that which we felt in the years of the war, particularly in 1917. People feel helpless to help themselves in this trying time of non-employment, etc., and so are filled with forebodings of worse to come, but regardless of a lack of finances we can still keep Christmas in its true spirit, for we have greater opportunity for thinking of others and less time to think of self, thus enacting the teaching of the Savior, whose birthday we celebrate. If we do the best we can and trust in God, He will see us through our difficulties, if we are of the unemployed, and if we are fortunate enough as to have a means of support we should be able to receive great joy in making the lives of others just a little brighter. I recall at this unusual time the little rhyme I send on a card at Christmas 1917 that with a little change would be quite appropriate this year: 

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Even thought the world is struggling
Neath the load of awful sin
And the soldiers and the needy
Have received the gifts that might have been
Sent to many friends and loved ones
On this blessed Christmas tide,
Still there's peace on earth, my dear friend
And the Christmas wish abides.
So, for old times sake, I send you
Love and wishes that you be blest 
With the blessed peace that nestles
In the hearts that love God best.

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December 22, 1933

Just before Christmas
'Tis strange but true
The stars shine brighter
The long night thought.
The evergreen tree
Unnoticed before
Recalls the sweet story
Told o'er and o'er
The touches of red
On candle and flower
Bring a thrill to our hearts
And tell of that hour
When angels sang
To the shepherds that night,
While the heavens shone
With a glorious light.
The children's voices
That ring in the air
Remind us of peace
And good will everywhere.

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December 20, 1940

President Roosevelt Issues
Christmas Seal Proclamation
 The American people are now called upon for "total defense."
This means vast military preparedness and the best possible man-power, involving intensified war against those insidious enemies of health, chief of which is the vital age period from fifteen to forty-five is the communicable disease, tuberculosis.
The National Tuberculosis Association and its affiliated state and local organizations can render services of inestimable value to public health officials throughout the country in handling the problem of tuberculosis as it is disclosed from the physical examinations of recruits. Therefore, the thirty-fourth annual nation-wide Christmas Seal Sale of the tuberculosis association takes added significance this year. It should receive more than ever before the fullest possible support of all the people of our country.
From now until Christmas Day, we, as individuals, by generous purchase of the seals, can do our part to help the tuberculosis associations free us from the deadly menace of this communicable disease. We know from past experience that our dollars will be well spent in behalf of the public good.
Signed,
Franklin D. Roosevelt
December 21, 1945

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Rules for Sending Cards to Personnel
of Armed Forces
With so many of our friends still in service, the code of military etiquette is quite important in signing and addressing Christmas cards again this year.
When sending greeting cards to commissioned officers, the rank must be designated. However, when sending a Christmas card to an enlisted man, the use of the rank is optional. The best thing is to follow the form the serviceman or woman used as a return address.

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December 23, 1954

Holiday Recipes from Miss Adams
Cranberries, which come into their own during Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, need not be forgotten when the holidays are over, Miss Reba Adams, home demonstration agent for Morgan County, said today.
From start to finish of a meal there is a place for the bright red berries–as an appetizer, in bread or meat, or as a salad, she added, "Here are recipes which I like for using cranberries in tow new and different ways."

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Cranberry Muffins
1 cup cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons melted butter
Put cranberries through food chopper; mix with half the sugar. Sift remaining sugar with dry ingredients. Combine beaten egg, milk and melted butter, and add to dry ingredients. Stir only until blended. Fold in sweetened cranberries. Bake in buttered muffin pans in hot oven (425 degrees F) for about 25 minutes. Makes 12 medium-sized muffins.

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Holiday Meat Loaf
2 cups minced ham
1 pound ground veal
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 teaspoon minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups unstrained cranberry sauce
Combine all ingredients, except cranberry sauce. Add 3/4 cup of thin juice from sauce and blend thoroughly. Form into loaf. Bake one hour at 375 degrees F. Fifteen minutes before the loaf is done, pour remaining cranberry sauce over loaf. Serves 10-12.

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December 20, 1973

Dear Santa,
We have been good in the third grade this year. Bring me a pony, and some other things.
Love,
Dick

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Dear Santa,
I have been a good boy. I have done my best to be good. I want a frozen custard maker and a guitar and a highway trooper and a western town.
Love,
Timmy

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December 24, 1990

Dear Santa,
I want from Santa is a go-cart, a nintendo, a T.V., a VCR, and some boots. Santa, I know you have a hard time but will you bring Mrs. Page a new chalkboard, please. And have a happy Christmas, Merry Christmas!
Your Friend,
Raphael Green
December 21, 1995

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articles about christmas, written by mcps
second graders jeremy jones and annie morris
Christmas is the time to be thankful for what you have, and the time to help others. The time to be happy, the time to think of others and not of yourself. The time to sing carols. The time to visit aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers and cousins. The time to wrap gifts for family and friends. We build a fire in the fireplace, play in the snow, build snowmen, have snowball fights. The time to make snow angels. The time to open presents. It's the time when school is out.

Once upon a time there lived a girl named Annie Morris. Her sister's name is Makenzi Morris. Makenzi and I love Christmas because it was Jesus' birthday! That's why we have Christmas! My aunt comes down from South Carolina every Christmas for lunch or supper! She has a little girl named Anna Kate Waters. I think that it is a pretty name. Then Christmas came and we got lots of toys!

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December 23, 2004

Take one Barbie and call me in the morning: a woman's holiday tale by sarah wibell
My favorite Christmas was 1994.
I was three years old and I lived in Garland, Texas, which is near Dallas. My mom, dad, sister and I would come over to Rutledge.
We always stayed with my grandparents and their dogs whose names are Bard and Jinx.
The fun thing was that every night, before my sister and I got carried up the stairs by my grandpa, he would always say, "OK, Sarah, up you go!" but he always picked up Katie, my sister, instead of me. When he came back down, he would say, "Your turn, Katie!" and then he picked me up and carried me up the stairs. We never knew if he was kidding around or if he had us mixed up, but we never said anything.
Over the next couple of days, I got very sick, and I know you're wondering, 'Why is this a happy memory?' so I'll tell you: on Christmas I was still sick but I got a (back then) cool Barbie set. When my parents went out to pick up my medicine, my Grandma let me play with it when I was supposed to be sleeping!