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The Christmas Tie

12/24/2020

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The Christmas Tie

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1By Sherri Onorati

Who came up with the idea of the Christmas tie and why is it still a Christmas present tradition
for many families?

It's become Dad's, and really any male family members go-to gift when you have nothing else to
give - a Christmas tradition ... sometimes, even when the recipient doesn't wear ties. It was a
tradition in my family for many years when my husband was in the United States Marine Corps,
which actually, I have no idea why because he wore uniform ties. But every year, he received a
tie from his sons and I, whether he needed or wanted one. In later years, it became a
challenge to find the goofiest tie to see if he'd wear it anywhere.

​Ties, or some semblance of a tie have been around for centuries. There's evidence of ties on the
terracotta soldiers found in the tomb of China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang in 221 BCE. But most experts date the initial appearance of the "tie" in the 17th century. Reportedly, "Croatian
mercenaries, hired in Paris by King Louis XIV, wore cloth bands around their necks to ward off
natural elements, which in their line of work included sword slashes." In addition to warding off fatal blows," neckwear took on an inflated importance, as even novelist Honore de Balzac wrote in 1818 that a cravat was protection against "colds, stiff necks, inflammations, toothache."
1

It's really not known for sure when the Christmas tradition of giving neckties begin, but it's most
likely during the Victorian age. It's definitely been around for at least a hundred years,
because this short commentary, found reprinted in the Fayette Falcon out of Sommerville, Tenn.,
is proof that even in 1919, men were already over that particular Christmas tradition!

Buying Unsuitable Ties
Tragedy Enough in Such Christmas Presents Purchased by Women, But They Might Do Worse.
"Look at the trouble that is being stored up there," sneered the morbid pessimist as he pointed
to a group of women around the necktie counter.

"It would be funny," he continued, "if it were not so tragic. Why it is that lovely women with all
her eye for the beautiful and with all her accomplishments cannot select a necktie for a man is
one of the things that rank with the unfathomable mysteries of life. I would sooner send a blind
man to buy me a "warranted sound" horse than I would enlist the services of a women to select
a necktie.

"Think of the fat men that will wake up on Christmas morning to find in their stockings a delicate
emaciated baby pink necktie that will look like a consumptive shoestring when it reposes on
their bountiful expanse of white shirt bosom. Then on the other hand, 'Bones, the human skeleton,' will probably get delirium tremens when he is made the recipient of a spotted necktie big enough to make a shawl for grandmom. Of course nothing will do for the nice, dignified old gentleman who never wears anything but a little black bow, but a flowing sash of passionate hue. Willie, the gay sport, on the other hand, will get something that would look nice on grandpa, and so it will go on down the line.

"Oh, the Christmas necktie! What tragedies are written in thy name!"

The pessimist paused.

Then he added thoughtfully, "I would, though, rather have my wife buy me a necktie than pick

out my cigars!" - Philadelphia Inquirer.

Printed in the Fayette Falcon (Somerville, Tenn.) Dec 19, 1919.

1 Turnbull & Asser "The History of Neckwear"
https://turnbullandasser.com/blogs/off-the-cuff/off-the-cuff-history-of-neckwear

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Dear Santa

12/20/2020

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Seeing isn't Believing but Believing is Seeing

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Whether known as Saint Nicholas, Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, Babbo Natale, Père Noël or Santa Claus, this legendary gift-giver is well-known around the world.

Along with an annual visit to sit on Santa's lap to tell him of their heartfelt desires, the tradition of writing a letter to Santa has been in practice for generations around the globe. Every year, children all over the world write their letters to Santa professing their good behavior throughout the year, testaments of minding mom and dad, and hoping that Santa will reward them with their wish list of toys.

The children of West Tennessee are no different, and although their letters and demands have changed through the decades, their dreams and wishes are still the same.

The belief in Santa helps them to
 believe in goodness and hope, motivating them to never give up... that anything is possible. Children learn that the invisible magic of the world is what helps make it more bearable and that seeing isn't be believing but believing is seeing.



Dear Santa Claus:
I love you very much. I want you to bring me a heap of things Christmas. I want a bridle. I have a saddle. My little brother Charlie wants a rocking horse. I hope your cotton crop was not like all the crops around here - short. This is what my papa says about his crop. Although I am only eight years old I have a little baby nephew. He wants a rattle. I forgot, I want some marbles and a pair of martin gails, and a heap, heap, heap of things, and oh! oh! fire crackers and anything you can get, and good things like little boys like to eat. Oh! I do wish Christmas was here right now. If it is cold I will have a big fire for you. I hope it will snow so you can come on your sleigh. Your boy, Robert W. Smith.
 
Memphis Daily Appeal (Memphis, Tenn.) Dec. 14, 1884

Dear Santa Claus, I have been a good boy. I want a cowboy suit and a pencil box, and I want a pair of gloves and a ruler about 12 inches long, and I want an Army Air set, and a baseball and bat, and a doctor's set. Your little friend, Billy Wayne Weaver, Rt. 1, Jackson, Tenn. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec, 13, 1944


Dear Santa Claus: I am a little boy, won't be a year old until January 1, but want you to bring me a lot of things for Christmas. First, a snow suit, a big micky mouse, top, drum, and wagon. But most of all an automobile I can ride in so I won't have to have my auntie leave her work to take me riding. Be good to all the other little girls and boys, and I will be looking for you Christmas Eve.  Buford Wayne Ranson, 264. North Liberty. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 3, 1936


Dear Santa, I am a little boy just six years old and have been very smart helping Grandpa cut wood and making Grandma good fires. Bow I want you to cram my sock from the top to the toe. I will place a box near the fire side for you put my big toys in as I want you to bring me a gun, toolbox, red wagon, and a Buick car now Santa please bring me the things I have asked for, for if you dont I will be a disappointed lad on Xmas morning and Santa please dont forget the Dear little Orphan children. Now Santa I will go by asking you to bring Virginia Nell a Doll so by by. From Cecil S. Brammer.
The Covington Leader (Covington, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 1922


Dear Santa, I am a little girl 5 years old. I have been a good little girl. I want a rocker, doll, house shoes, blackboard, set of dishes and nuts and fruits. Santa don't forget my little cousin J. T. Kolwyck, who is spending the night with me tonight. He is 4 years old, he has a little brother 2 weeks old, don't forget him either. J. T. wants a knife, a wagon, a little truck, fruit, nuts and candy. WIll my love Patsy Allen. Humbolt, Tenn. Ps. Don't forget all the boys in service.
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 13, 1944

Dear Santa, I go to school at West Jackson but the building is being torn down and I have to go to school at West Jackson Baptist Church and I have a fine teacher, Miss Stone, and I hope you remember her too. I want you to bring me a Betsy Wetsy doll and a pencil box and lots of fruits, nuts and candy.  Kathryn Shires, Jackson
​The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 11, 1938


Dear Santa, Gee! It has been a long time since you were here. Santa, I promise I will be a better boy next year, so I want you to bring me a pair of skates, a bicycle, a size 26 satchel, and some kind of a game that I can play with in the house. Remember all the other little boys and girls and carry them as much. I will always be your boy and looking for you every year.   Bobby Senter, Medina, Tenn. 
The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 3, 1936

Dear Santa Clouse - How are you fine I hope I am a little boy 8 years old I want a air rifer and a tool box and lots of fruits.  Therman Turnage, Munford, Tenn. 
The Covington Leader (Covington, Tenn.) Dec. 20, 1922


Dear Santa Claus: Please bring me a kite, an automobile, a top, a ball, a harp and some a b c blocks, and I want some candy, apple, oranges, bannas and nuts – Big Charlie Brooks. 
The Dresden Enterprise and Sharon Tribune (Weakley, Tenn.) Dec. 24, 1915

Dear Santa Claus, I am a little girl nine years old. I have three brothers. Thomas Earl wants a stroller. Charles wants a tricycle. Kenneth wants a tram and a coloring book, and a book satchel. I want a book satchel that goes on my back and a little sewing machine. 
Bring us plenty of nuts and fruits and candy. Don't forget Daddy and Mother, Mama Carnell and Papa Fred, and Mama and Papa Wyatt. Santa look on the dining table and get you a piece of cake.
Hoping you and Mrs. Santa Clause a Merry Christmas. Love Betty Jean Wyatt, Jackson, Tenn. 

The Jackson Sun (Jackson, Tenn.) Dec. 11, 1938

Dear old Santa Claus: Will you please bring me a doll that has curly hair and opens and shuts its eyes, some rasins, apples, candy, oranges, bannas, and lemons and all kinds of nuts,  - Annie Skagg.
The Dresden Enterprise and Sharon Tribune (Weakley, Tenn.) Dec. 24, 1915
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West Tennessee family bible found in Oregon

12/18/2020

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OGS Library seeks descendants of the Alexander Erskine Scott family 

The Oregon Genealogical Society was recently donated a family bible belonging to the Alexander Erskine Scott family, whom they soon discovered was from the West TN area, specifically Hardeman and Madison Counties. Because they were unable to find a connection for the family to Oregon, they are looking for a family descendant to return the bible to. The following scanned pages have substantial family data. If this is your family, please contact the TN Genealogical Society at (901) 754-4300 for further info. 
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