Plastic Items/1950s
By the late 1940's, World War II had ended, the American economy experienced
tremendous growth, people by the droves moved into the suburbs, and as a result,
the country was transformed into a consumer nation. With the country's new-found
prosperity came a sense of renewed patriotism and the desire to purchase products
that were "Made in America". After years of war restrictions, and the lack of
manufacturing, consumers' tastes changed from European made decorations to those
made in the USA. Additionally, products imported from Japan and Hong Kong also became
fashionable. This new era of wealth, manufacturing and consumerism had a profound
effect on the way we purchased and decorated for the holidays.
Due to an abundance of new materials and modern methods of mass production,
Christmas ornaments and figurines during this period were relatively inexpensive
and easy to produce. Light-weight decorations made of hard plastic, Styrofoam, aluminum
and other non-breakable materials are characteristic of the 1950's and 60's. Santas,
angels, bells, candles, lights and a myriad of other novelty ornaments in festive
colors of red, white and green flooded the market. Other popular items included
lighted Santa and Rudolph figurines, Vac-U-Formed plastic lighted decorations from
NOMA's Glolite division, stocking stuffers, party favors, and candy containers in the
shapes of Santa or a jolly snowman, usually holding a bunch of cellophane wrapped lollypops.
Royal, Bradford, Good-Lite, L.A. Goodman ,NOMA, Raylite/Paramount , Rosbro, Miller Electric,
Union Products, Brite Star, Empire, Shiny Brite and TICO Plastics are just a few of the many
companies that produced plastic Christmas items during these years.
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