Father Christmas delivering presents to the Children's Aid and Adoption Society at Leytonstone, London. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 20th November 1931

One-year-old Paramount child star Baby LeRoy plays with his new toys under the Christmas tree. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 1933

A children's Christmas party at the Hoxton Mission, London. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 18th November 1933

A family at Christmas tea time with chocolate cake, a candelabra and holly on the table. (Photo by General Photographic Agency/Getty Images). Circa 1935

Father Christmas hands out presents to children at the Aid And Adoption Society home at Leytonstone. (Photo by Gerry Cranham/Fox Photos/Getty Images). 7th December 1938

A seasonably attired young shopper climbs on to the sandbags to get a closer look at the toys in a shop window in the West End of London. (Photo by Hudson/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). December 1939

Two policemen regard London's 64ft Christmas tree, a gift from Norway, illuminated in Trafalgar Square, in front of the National Gallery. (Photo by Warburton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images). 1st December 1948

Two children waiting for Santa Claus. (Photo by George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images). USA, circa 1950s

A young girl hangs a Christmas garland on the door of her cottage home at Northleach, Gloucestershire, in accordance with an old local custom. (Photo by Fox Photos/Getty Images). 24th December 1954

A young patient in the pediatric ward of the Lenox Hill Hospital, America receives an unexpected Christmas present from student nurse Linda Gross. (Photo by Vecchio/Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

When decorating a Christmas tree use a firm stepladder and don't be like this woman who is standing on a chair and leaning over too far. (Photo by Orlando /Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

Happy Christmas shoppers happily gaze at the window displays of the shops of Washington DC. (Photo by Orlando /Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

A close-up of a woman making Christmas tree decorations in Crisfield, Maryland. (Photo by Evans/Three Lions/Getty Images). Circa 1955

A traditional festive dinner table decorated with sprigs of berried holly. (Photo by Chaloner Woods/Getty Images). Circa 1955

Three young carol singers give their rendering of a Christmas song in the falling snow. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images). 1957