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MEET MISS BETSY MCCALL!


  
      Today I'm participating in Vintage Christmas Monday hosted by potting shed anything goes here, please click on her button on my sidebar if you would like to join in the celebration or to see all the other wonderful ladies who are participating.

       I'm not posting about ornaments or Christmas decorations today.  Today, I'm posting about a Christmas gift that I remember receiving as a young girl many years ago.




     When my family returned to the states after WWII it took my father quite sometime to become fully functioning.  The war affected him deeply, and my mother had to work to support us for as long as I can remember.  My father finally improved and became an accountant - but during those lean years Christmas was a pretty spartan time for us.  Perhaps like it is today for those folks who have been hit so hard by our economy.  Anyway, the one gift I do remember getting was a Betsy McCall paper doll set.






These paper doll sets came free in the McCall Magazine, a popular magazine of the day, but you could also by the paper doll set in a book.  I would spend hours dressing her in her outfits and making believe that my family was something other than it was.  My imagination would run wild as a 10 year old girls will and it seems I was totally satisfied with this small gift at Christmas time because somehow I
knew it  was the only thing my parents could afford.




.Please dear friends enjoy this time of year with your families and loved ones whether it is a big event with lots of presents  or a more modest affair like my Christmas of so long ago.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU ALL!
    Thanks to the Graphics Fairy for supplying the wonderful paper doll memory.

Comments

  1. CCDecember 20, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    I remember Betsy McCall..and always thought she was so cute. Thank you for sharing such a touching memory...Have a most wonderous and blessed Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. PostcardyDecember 20, 2009 at 8:41 PM

    I remember the Betsy McCall dolls in the mgazine. I didn't know they had sets also.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Simple HomeDecember 20, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    What a special gift, thanks for sharing that special memory. I remember cutting those paper dolls out of the McCall's magazines. Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marie December 20, 2009 at 10:23 PM

    Those are precious! Look at those cheeks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Julie MarieDecember 21, 2009 at 4:35 AM

    Oh Jo, your Betsy MCCall paper doll is adorable! I so remember my grandma in New Mexico saving her McCalls magazines from the year for my little sister and I to have the paper dolls when we would visit each year... I never knew they sold a set of them... what a treasure you have and such happy memories to go with them! Merry Christmas to you and your family! xoxo Julie Marie

    ReplyDelete
  6. KeKeDecember 21, 2009 at 8:04 AM

    I used to play with the Besty McCall paper dolls too. Each month when my mom received her new McCall magazine, I'd have her tear out the page with Betsy on it so I could start playing with it right away-The good ol' days...

    ReplyDelete
  7. anythinggoeshereDecember 21, 2009 at 10:30 AM

    Lovely sentiment and so important for us to remember now when times can be tough for us again!

    Thank you so much for participating in Vintage Christmas Mondays!

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

    xo Joan, your hostess

    ReplyDelete
  8. Debra@CommonGroundDecember 21, 2009 at 12:47 PM

    I used to wait every month for the magazine to appear at my grandmother' house. Oh, how I loved collecting and pretending. This one is just so precious! Have a wonderful, Merry Christmas!
    Blessings, Debra

    ReplyDelete
  9. BonjourRomanceDecember 21, 2009 at 1:55 PM

    Oh to go back to those simpler times, at least to the time we appreciated gifts that truly come from the heart.
    WIshing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownDecember 21, 2009 at 6:56 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousDecember 21, 2009 at 7:56 PM

    I enjoyed paper dolls so much as a child that I bought some for my niece. Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  12. JaneanDecember 21, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    awwwwwwwwwwww i remember betsy mccall! glad to see her reappearance! yay!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Just a bed of rosesDecember 22, 2009 at 8:45 AM

    So happy you did your vintage christmas with betsy mcCall, I had forgotten all about her and I love that your reminded me of playing with her and all her fun things. See you soon I hope as we go onto more fun blogging adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Barbara JeanJanuary 3, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    What a great memory.

    I just found these on the graphic Fairy too.
    I'm printing them out for my Granddaughters.

    I tried to Google them and find out more but only found a more slim version.
    This one is so much sweeter and age appropriate for my girls.

    blessing

    barbara jean


    PS I am sooo enjoying my visit here!

    ReplyDelete

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