This in-depth, comprehensive book is a great guide for Christmas collectors and enthusiasts who are interested in how Christmas was celebrated in the United States between the years of 1940 to 1959. Detailing the history, traditions and Christmas decorations associated with these years, it explores how American Christmas customs and holiday decorations changed as a result of World War II. This period of Christmas history witnessed the advent of machine-produced glass tree ornaments, bubble lights, Matchless Stars, and a proliferation of decorations produced in Japan, Europe, and the United States. The detailed text is accompanied by many historical photos, color pictures of decorations and ornaments from each decade represented as well as an introduction, "Our European Past," that gives a brief overview of an American Christmas from 1850 to 1939.

Soft cover book has 160 pages with 496 full-color pictures and 54 black and white illustrations, photographs and catalog reprints. 11" high by 8½" wide and ½" deep. This revised 3rd edition is copyright © 2007 and has an updated value guide.