Here’s what Christmas in Toronto looked like 100 years ago

Christmas in Toronto 100 years ago included gatherings for festive meals, visits from Santa Claus and shopping for gifts.

Many traditions celebrated today in Canada date back to the 1800s.

The first Christmas tree in North America appeared on Christmas Eve 1781; however, the tree became more popular in the mid-1800s after an illustration of the Royal Family’s decorated tree at Windsor Castle was published, according to The Canadian Encyclopedia.

At the end of the 1800s, traditions such as gift-giving, Santa Claus, Yule logs, holly, mistletoe and carol singing became popular. The roast turkey dinner also came about in Victorian Britain, replacing the older meals of beef and goose.

“Many attribute the change to Queen Victoria, and claim that it was her marriage to the German-born Prince Albert that introduced some of the most familiar aspects of Christmas,” The Canadian Encyclopedia notes.

Photos from around 100 years ago show Toronto residents enjoying many of the same traditions as today, with some differences.

Christmas stockings looked much simpler.

A child opens a Christmas stocking in 1925. Photo: Toronto Archives

Animals were hung in Christmas displays.

A Christmas Display at the St. Charles Hotel on Yonge Street in 1908.  Photo: Toronto Archives

Market displays had fresh produce and meat.

A North York Christmas market in 1920.    Photo: Toronto Archives

Companies celebrated with holiday parties.

Christmas at Wood Gundy in 1922.    Photo: Toronto Archives

People sang Christmas carols at work gatherings.

A Christmas carol sing at Bell in 1925.    Photo: Toronto Archives

Shops displayed the latest electric goods.

A shop window display with “electrical gifts” in 1925.  Photo: Toronto Archives

Santa Claus was used in advertisements.

A General Electric window display in 1920.    Photo: Toronto Archives

Christmas trees were decorated at community halls. The first time a Christmas tree was lit by electricity was in 1882 in New York.

McCormick’s Hall is decorated with Christmas trees in 1915.  Photo: Toronto Archives

Santa Claus climbed a ladder at the end of the parade in Toronto.

Santa Claus at the Toronto Eaton’s department store in 1925.    Photo: Toronto Archives

People had a special Christmas dinner with family.

The James family sits down for Christmas dinner in 1913.    Photo: Toronto Archives