Christmas Wishes of Hohenwald's Past

The season of Christmas is upon us, and it is time to, once again, take a nostalgic glimpse at past holiday wishes. Although I enjoy sharing Lewis County history through my weekly “Glimpses of Hohenwald’s Past” article, it is this special “Christmas Wishes” article that I most look forward to compiling each year. I hope your heart is filled with delight and memories of your own childhood as you read some of the letters that caught my attention.

December 16 and 23, 1920

Dear Santa Claus, I have tried to be a good little boy and I want you to please bring me a little wagon with a seat on it, a football, some fire crackers, and candy, oranges, and apples; Please don’t forget Ms. Johnston. Your little boy, Arnold Peeler

Dear Santa Claus, I am a little girl five years old live in the country, I want you to please come see me and bring me a kitchen cabinet little machine and a doll. I have a little brother please bring him a wagon. –Frances Marbet

Dear Old Santa Claus, I am a little girl four years old and I will ask you to please, Bring me a little doll and some nice fruits, apples, oranges, bananas and candy and please don’t forget my little sister Mable, Papa, and Mamma. Your little friend, Lois Browning

December 18, 1930

The Lewis County Herald published, “With a great deal of regrets we are forced to announce that we will be unable to publish letters to Santa Claus this year…”

December 19, 1940

There are no known copies of the Christmas Edition nor any issues from December 1940 available for review.

December 21, 1950

No letters to Santa were published in the Christmas Edition nor did any letters appear in other issues from December 1950.

December 22, 1960

Most requested gifts in 1960 included bicycle, candy, nuts, doll, doll buggy, train, guns.

Dear Santa, Please be good to all first grade boys and girls. Bring me a refrigerator and stove. I have been good. I mop and sweep the floor for my aunt. Give my anut a ring. She is so good. Love, Sandra Anglin

Dear Santa, I have been a good boy. I wish I had a puppy and a bulldozer. Merry Christmas. –Harold Smith

Dear Santa, I want a ballerina for Christmas and a watch and a candy cane full of candy and a play house and my two front teeth and a viewmaster. I will see you Christmas. Love, Kay Poore

Dear Santa, I am 10 years old. My name is Don Pollock. I want you to bring me a pair of cowboy boots, guns and holster, gloves, cowboy hat, billfold, and belt. Yours truly, Don Pollock. P.S. There will be coffee and cookies waiting for you Christmas eve night.

Dear Santa, I am in third grade. We got a record player early, but we still want something from you. I want a baby doll, and some clothes and some records. Your friend, Jane Ann Williams

Dear Santa, Please be good to all first grade boys and girls. Bring me an electric football set. I’ll try real hard to be good till Christmas. Love, Howard Spears

Dear Santa, I am in third grade. I am eight years old. I just want 10 things for Christmas. I already got 4 or 5 things. I wont little toy. My brother is just got 2 things and my other brother is just got 2 things. –Kathy Baxter

Dear Santa, Please bring me guns. Love, Jimmy.

Dear Santa, A horse is too cold, so please bring me a cowboy hat, a rope, drum and rifle. –Jane Bogardus

Dear Santa, I am in second grade. I want a doll for Christmas. I am good. I am 9. –Connie Ruth Hinson

Dear Santa, I want Cheyenne guns, holsters and hat. My sister printed this because I’m only in the first grade. She printed it so that I could read it. –Kenneth Durham

Dear Santa, I have a Christmas gift for you. Now I don’t want to miss! Here it is—I’ll throw it—a great big Christmas kiss! –Tommy

Dear Santa, I am small but I have been good. I want a doll. Love, Darlene Kilpatrick

Dear Santa, Please bring me some shoes. Love, Johnny Lay

December 24, 1970

Most requested gifts in 1970 included a bicycle, Easy Bake Oven, doll, and guns.

Dear Santa, I want a crane and a bulldozer and I have been a good boy and I will leave you a glass of milk. From, Tommy Keith Lawson

Dear Santa, Bring me a coloring book and fill my stocking. –Laura Ann

Dear Santa, I won’t a big, big, train. And a truck that picks up dirt. I want a monkey that plays tricks. A G.I. Joe, the one with black whiskers. I want two dinosaurs. I have been a good boy. My sister Pam helped write this letter. I love you. –Dale Floyd, 4 years old

Dear Santa Claus, My name is Nancy Fay Sharp, my Cissy name is Ernestine Edwanetta. We have been good girls all yar. Please bring me a Velvet, and a talking telephone and some doll clothes. Also a school bus. Please bring Cissy a Baby go by by, some doll clothes and a school bus. Thank You Santa. Nancy Fay and Cissy Sharp

Dear Santa Clase, I have been almost a good boy. Bring my brother a toy too he has been good, better than I. Bring two trucks and two guns for me and Timmy my brother. –Bobby Baker Voorhies

Dear San, I been a good girl and send me a doll and some candy and apple. From Bertha Sparkman

Dear Santa, I would like to have a car for Christmas. And I hope I have a very merry Christmas. Love, Paul Vaughn

Dear Santa, Well it is this time of the year when it makes all of us children happy. I depend on Santa for my presents. This year I would like a mini bike and bebe gun plus some new clothes. But what ever I may receive I will still be happy. Love, Larry

Dear Santa, I want a B B gun for Christmas. Love, Ricky Ayers

Dear Santa, I am little. Will you please bring me Bee bee gun. Hohenwald, Tenn. Box 42. I boy. –Brownie Hankins

Dear Santa, I want a cowboy suit, and a gun and hoster, motor cycle, cow boy boots and a hat. Don’t forget to fill my stocking. Love, Mike Odom

Dear Santa Claus, I love you, I know you love, Santa I want a wooding wagon, a teddy bear, a dog. Santa I am good at school when I am doing my work the boy in front of me he copys off of me. I love you santa. My name is on the room helpers. –Unsigned

Dear Santa Clause, Please bring and a gun and hoster, motor cycle, cow boy boots and a hat. Don’t forget to fill my stocking. Love, Mike Odom

Dear Santa Claus, I love you, I know you love, Santa I want a wooding wagon, a teddy bear, a dog. Santa I am good at school when I am doing my work the boy in front of me he copys off of me. I love you santa. My name is on the room helpers. –Unsigned

Dear Santa Clause, Please bring me a Barbie doll, a Barbie doll house, and a bicycle. I have been a good girl all year. Bring my brother a bicycle and gun and holster set. We love you. Thank you, Sherry Yates

I love you Santa Claus, I have been good. I seen you in the parade. I am sorry this is not much for a letter to Santa Claus from Brenda Sadler. I am 6. I am in the first grade. Love and kisses. Merry Merry Christmas. I want a doll, doll clothes, spirgraph, Xyolophone, dishes, and movie parojector.

Dear Santa, I want you to bring me a battlon top game and a football also. Be nice to my teacher. Shes very nice to me her name is Miss Hinson. I also want to think you for the guns you gave me last year. Please be nice to our soldars in the Arm Forcies. Have to brothers in there one over seas one in the states. Please don’t forget. All my love, David Raymer

Dear Santa, I want a Chatty Cathey. Santa, Please Get. –Rhonda Hankins

Dear Santa Claus, Please bring me a race car set and some things for my tractor, a plow and a big bag of candy and some games like on T. V. Thank you. Love, Ernest Paul Conner

Dear Santa my name is Benny Pace. I want some toys. I want you to bring me some toys. My house is yellow. That is all I want to say. Like Benny the Boy. Love, Benny Pace My mother has my toy rote down on a piece of paper. That is all.

Dear Santa, My name is Cheryl Webb. I have been a real good girl all year. I would like for you to bring me a sock it to me doll, a vanity and stool, a Dollihin doll and some clothes; some clothes for my Dawn. Don’t forget my brothers Paul Jr. and Eric. Thank you, Cheryl Webb

Dear Santa, I love you very much. We sang Christmas Carols in the lunch. –Stevie Anthony

December 18, 1980

Most requested gifts in 1980: Star Wars toys, dolls, BB guns, Hondas, Sno-cone machine, record player and records.

Dear Santa, Santa, I want a toy Honda, and toy truck. I want a toy jeep, a football game, one of them you know, stuffed dogs. I always wanted a Superman watch. I want a big Santa Claus coloring book. A Tonka toy too. Love, Travis Hinson

Dear Santa, I love you lots and lots. I have been good. Please bring me a motorcycle, drums, and a typewriter. Love, Ricky Duvall

Dear Santa, I have been a good girl this year. Please bring me an adopted little people, Connect Four, Operation Game, and a Dolly Pop Poptown. Also, if you have room I would like some roller skates. Don’t forget Cassie. She’s been good too. Love, Heidi

Dear Santa Claus, I want a three wheeler. My sister wants a doll. My mother and daddy want a stereo. That’s all. I love you. Lee Ann Dabbs

Dear Santa Claus, I want a kick and go and a Barbie doll. I love you. Bobbie Runions.

Dear Santa, I love you lots and lots. I have been good. Please bring me a puppy, and a teddy bear, a book and things for school. Love, Russ Adcox

Dear Santa, I have been good this year. Please bring me lots of toys. I would like a baby doll, doll house, Dummy BB gun, and Mini Cowboy. I love you, Clasha Hinson.

Dear Santa Claus, I have been a good boy and the gift I want most is a go-cart and I believe in you too. Love, Robert Gene Brewer

Dear Santa, I love you. I want you to bring me a game and a toy, but you got to have them before you can give them to me. You are cute. Do you love me? Yes or no? Love, Angie Bean

Dear Santa, I am a good girl. I want a doll. Love, Lisa Pevahouse

Dear Santa, My name is Josh Powers. I am 4 years old. I want Star Wars toys, a barn with cows, dump truck and cowboys and Indians with a wagon. I have been a good boy. Love, Josh

Dear Santa, I love you Santa you are nice and I like you. You live in the North Pole and I love you very, very much. Love, Autumn

Dear Santa, I want a picture of you Friday morning. Some children will sit on your lap and then I want to take my picture with you. I want a 4 x 4 and a Team America for Christmas weekend. Love, Derek Tubbs

Dear Santa, Hi Santa. How are you doing? Christmas is Fun! Merry Christmas Santa! Will you bring me some make-up? Will you bring me some doll clothes? Will you bring me a doll? Will you bring me a Book? Love, Joanna Ferrell

December 20, 1990

Most requested gifts in 1990: Ninja Turtles, Big Foot trucks, WWF toys, Barbie dolls, Nintendo, and New Kids on the Block items.

Dear Santa, My name is Chase Inman and I am six years old. I have been a pretty good boy this year. I would like some Ninja Turtles, a wrestling ring and some wrestlers. I will leave you some cookies and milk. Love, Chase

Dear Santa, For the homeless people I wish they could have a house to stay in and food to eat and all I want for Christmas is some Barbies and a guitar. Thank you, Sara Odom, Love you!

Dear Santa, For Christmas, I would like a G.I. Joe and a remote control car and a Nintendo game, a football, a baseball glove, and a tape for my radio. Thanks, Kip Kelsey P.S. Merry Christmas

Dear Santa, I want a horse for Christmas and a cowgirl suit. I also want a Rainbow Brite and I will leave you cookies and milk. Love ya, Tammy P.S. I also want for my daddy not to have to go to Saudi Arabia.

Dear Santa, I want a bike please! --Michael Patterson

Dear Santa, I can see you. Everybody and I love Santa Claus. –Alicia Whitehead

Dear Santa Claus, I am in the first grade. My name is Andrew Rogers and my sister is Crystal. I want a go cart and a Nintendo and some Turtles. Thank you, Andrew

Dear Santa, My name is Brandy Pulley. I can’t wait till my Daddy’s work has their Christmas party so I can sit on your knee. I really want a lot of toys for Christmas but I really, really want a Barbie doll with the house and Ken doll. Santa, I love you a whole lot. Do you remember last year when I pulled on your beard? I’m sorry if I hurt you. Love, Brandy Ann Pulley

Dear Santa, I am 6 years old. My name is Brett Hinson. How are you doing? My brother Joe is 12 years old. I have two dogs. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Dear Santa, The greatest present I could receive would be the troops returning home to America. I would like to find under the tree on Christmas morning, a baby doll, chalk board and Nintendo. Please bring my brother Dane a choo choo train. I love you, Jasmine Cotham

Dear Santa, I want a hundred dollars. I want a four-wheeler. I want a shotgun. I want a pistol, real one. I want a knife. I want a swimming pool. I want a trampoline. I want a real Ninja set. Your friend, Bobby

Dear Santa, I have been a good girl this year. I love the presents you gave me last year. This year, I would like you to bring me a Walking Go-Go dog, Holiday Barbie, a Donnie doll, and a New Kids on the Block tape. Please bring my sister, Candace, some good stuff, too. I love you Santa. I will leave you some cookies and milk. Love you, Crystal Finerty

Dear Santa, Santa got a big white heard and he got 8 reindeer. He is fat. I want him to bring. –Jessica Autenried

Dear Santa, I want GI Joes, clothes, Nintendo games, cars, basketball goal, new bike and a skateboard. –Chip Spears P.S. Come through the door not the chimney

Dear Santa, Even though I screamed and was scared of you, I still love you. Please bring me a doll and anything that has buttons to push. I love books and colors. Bring Ciji some of those since I’ve tore a lot of hers up. Love, Jena Bastin

Dear Santa, Hello, my name is Shaina and I am 5 years old. I have been very good this year. For Christmas, I would like Baby Alive, Magic Nursery Baby, My Pretty Ballerina, Western Fun Motorhome, Sunrunner Barbie horse, and Barbie doll, also Little Miss Magic Hair. Please bring my little nephew Britton Allen something special, he has been very good. Merry Christmas to you, Mrs. Claus, all your reindeer and elves, have a safe trip and I love you. –Shaina Collins

December 21, 2000

Most requested gifts in 2000: Nintendo 64, color Gameboy, various movies, play jewelry and make-up, scooter, bikes, Power Rangers toys, Pokemon cards, and Barbie dolls

Dear Santa, I would like a key chain with flowers and a purple ring and the Land Before Time Part 4 movie. Thank you. Love, Janelle Stutts

Dear Santa, I have been a good girl. Please come to my house on Christmas eve. I like these toys: toy cat, a scooter, and Barbie doll. I want markers in my stocking. Love, Jessica Stacy

Dear Santa, How are you? I’m fine. I would like Rugrats in Paris CD, a new and old N’Sync CD, a Backstreet Boys CD, a Rugrats First movie CD and Cristina Augillar CD and a Gameboy color and scooter. Love, Sheridan Brewer

Dear Santa, I have a few things I want for Christmas. I would like a scooter, books, blankets, blankets and food for the poor, a TV in my room, a Tennessee jersey for my cousin, Anthony and a smiley face bed for my cousin, Jessica. I would also like some clothes for the poor. Love, Deidria Dicus

Dear Santa, Merry Christmas! I’m looking forward to your visit. I would love for you to bring me a boombox, goose, diary, new boots, and a Barbie steering wheel. I hope you and Mrs. Claus are doing well. I will leave cookies on Christmas Eve. Thank you Santa. Love, Lexie Adams of Lewis County Tennessee

Dear Santa, I love you. I would like to have a new bike and also a Barbie Nails Maker and everyone needs to pray for peace on earth and I will leave you some cookies and I am waiting for Christmas. See you soon. –Christian Brewer

Dear Santa, I want a Nintendo 64 and a Pokeman game and a remote dirt bike. Love, Chais

Dear Santa, Santa, have a good time flying and make sure you dress warm. Also have a good Christmas and I love you. Could you please bring me a Nerf Bazooka, rollerblades, and some gloves. Santa, please bring me a new movie and an animal playset, please bring a kitchen playset and an ice cream maker, and also a picture of you. Love, Michael Greene

Dear Santa, I’ve been good. Please bring me some presents instead of a lump of coal. I would like a horse, a Color Game boy, a watch, and a Max Steel car. I also need a fence for the horse. Thank you very much and I would appreciate you. –Jacob Thompson

Merry Christmas to all and may your 2021 be bright, happy, and prosperous.