DAVIS COUNTY—Since people have walked across Davis County, there has always been something to celebrate in the month now called December. Whether that celebration was the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid al-Fitr, Kwanzaa or any other of the many holidays celebrated this time of year, there’s just something special about it. In this article, we take a look at some of the past goings on right here in Davis as people celebrated the holidays. 

Though Santa Claus may seem a newcomer in the celebration of Christmas, he is mentioned quite a bit in the local newspaper of the 1890s. The occasion in the late 19th century was also punctuated by community dances, presentations, and dinners. Though it may seem simple, the articles of the era reflect a gratitude and joy, as at that point, the settlements that would become the Davis residents know today were barely 50 years old. 

About a decade later, at the turn of the last century, many residents of the county found themselves going to the Bountiful Opera House on Main Street in Bountiful for entertainment and dances. The paper also reports many family members returning to the area to spend time with their parents, siblings, or children. Many meals, both public and private were reported as people made the season merry.

Shopping wasn’t far from people’s minds way back when either. In 1913, the newspaper advertised special deals for the season, including a full men’s suit for only $9.90 ($307.67 in today’s money), and holiday handkerchiefs for a measly 3 cents, (93 cents today). Marriages were announced at holiday parties, live bands played while people danced, and the papers were full of comings and goings.

The 20s and 30s saw the rise of more advanced, mechanical toys, still priced below a dollar, and though consumerism was certainly on the rise, ads featured sayings like, “The glad holiday time never fails to repeat the thought, ‘what will I give?’” Residents could see a live performance for a quarter, learn some recipes of yuletide past, or take advantage of a longer shopping season, which extended beyond the few days before the end of the month.

The next 20 years were marked by both solemnity and joy simultaneously, as many young men and women were spending their holidays overseas. Rationing curbed some spending in 1943, but people still made merry while they thought of their loved ones fighting fascism in Europe and the Pacific. In 1953, the Korean War had just ended not months ago, meaning that many servicemen and women were home once more, indulging in feasts, parties, and more in their own homes.

From the middle of the 20th century on, more and more public programs were brought to Davis County, including singing of Handel’s Messiah, public tree lighting, parades, and more. A more diverse population brought other celebrations and traditions celebrated in public spaces and in homes across the county. While each celebrated in their own way, these traditions served, and continue to serve as a warm spot in the middle of an otherwise cold and dreary time of year.