How many of you ladies have ever opened a Christmas gift from a boyfriend or husband that left you wondering, what was he thinking?? If you’ve ever pondered what inspired the purchase of your mother’s Christmas Hoover in ’71 – or the dustbuster incident of ’85 – I believe I’ve found the answer. We have the mad men of mid-century Madison Avenue to thank for those oh-so-practical gifts! Take a look at some of these vintage ads, and you’ll see what I mean.
Now, in all fairness, the cartoon ladies look absolutely thrilled with their brand new vacuums. There’s no wonder fellas of a certain generation thought the best lady’s gifts were the ones that made it easier for wives to take care of their husbands (to his credit, I’m not sure Santa’s buying it). What more could a girl want?
A toaster! Obviously. After all, as soon as the gifts are opened and the wrapping paper and Christmas bows picked up, it’s time to get busy with breakfast. After that there’s no time to waste. Christmas dinner won’t cook itself, will it? If she already has all the mixers, toasters and pressure cookers she could want – don’t fret. There’s still the laundry!
I admit – I have to give a little leeway on this one. I imagine any woman who was previously using a washing board or an old fashioned manual wringer washer would be well and truly over the moon to receive anything that could cut that particular chore down to hours instead of days. No sympathy on the iron or washing powder, though.
Finally, I’ve saved the best for last.
Thank goodness the ladies of 2014 have SuperJeweler…and our own checkbooks!
Leave us a comment letting us know what you think and be entered to win one of these three jewelry pieces from SJ!
115 comments
Its so funny as most of the gifts bought back then and advertising was revolved around woman working as in vacuuming, ironing, cooking etc lol YUP like that is all they did Well back then I guess the men would only think that is all they did.. Which was wromng They did all that and SO SO MUCH MORE.. Great to see the blast form the past
Yes. I received alot of gifts that left me wondering if he knows me at all! Then, there are those work gifts which include kitchen utensils, vacuum cleaners, or the world famous kitchen apron! The nerve of me to expect perfume or jewelry. ha ha.
lovely things past present and future all combined
I agree. Advertising can persuade people to buy crazy stuff sometimes!
Well gadgets that make chores easier are Cool, but the time to buy or gift them- Is Not For Christmas! LOVE that Purple Amethyst Pendant! I need to be wearing that right now! ;)
I remember my grandmother telling us how thrilled she was to get an automatic washing machine. Love these old ads and the products. My grandmother’s Singer sewing machine looks like the one in the ad.
Wow I remember seeing some of those ads as a kid. Wasn’t the Singer ad in Life? Personally, I’d love the amethyst halo for Christmas,
you’ve come a long way, baby!
Great story and nice jewelry
I think practical gift are needed but not for christmas presents. I would love to win either of the pieces for my wife. She loves jewelry.
I will never forget the first gift my husband gave me after we got married in 1980 – a food processor! I cried when I got it. I told him I rather have a curling iron than that thing. At least the curling iron would be for me not my kitchen! I never used it once. He used it a good bit. PS – He went back to the store and got me that curling iron, too!
Oh yes! How every woman wants a big, new, shiny vacuum cleaner for Christmas or a brand new scale! (Note the sarcasm).
Yes, thank goodness for Super Jeweler and the beautiful jewelry selections that our significant others can choose from to give as gifts or we can buy for ourselves!
Lovely!! The Past will help us get through today and Tomorrow!
So impressed with this blog. I absolutely love this article and the vintage pics. Made me laugh and smh, but how true and informative. It was such a different time back then, but I agree, I don’t think a mixer or Hoover is going to knock anyone’s socks off on Christmas morning! Now on a wonderful up note, we do live in a different time and are blessed with beautiful options for the women of the house, like Super Jeweler treats. This lady would wake up in delight and wonder to find one of those 3 choices under her tree, especially one of the rings. Absolutely stunning!
i remember all these things.i just love the green amethyst
Love the old ads!!! REALLY love the jewelry!!
PS Last year my husband gave me a coffee maker for Christmas & I hate Coffee!! He likes coffee. This year I’m giving him a purse!
My ex boyfriend, that I was living with at the time bought me a dryer one Christmas and then the next year bought me a microwave… hence why he’s my ex!
PS… Loving the old pictures in this blog :)
MY MOM HAD A HOOVER BEST VACUUM WE EVER OWNED REALLY!!! MY GRANDMA & MY MOM HAD old fashioned manual wringer washer GRANDMA & MOM ALWAYS GOT NEW COOKING WEAR AT CHRISTMAS TOO THEY BOTH COULD REALLY COOK MY GRANDMA GAVE IT A LOT OF HEART & SOUL & MY MOM KIND OF DID TOO TILL SHE DIVORCED AND THEN HER COOKING WENT DOWN HILL. I WOULD LOVE TO GET ANY ONE OF THOSE GIFTS FOR CHRISTMAS EVEN THE SCALE. BLESSED BE HAVE A HAPPY & SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON.
hey I’d take a vacuum for Christmas any day! but the scale NO, come on now?! although the retro scale is super cute i wouldn’t want to open that up on Christmas morning!
Although not as practical, I definitely prefer the gift of today…so much more beautiful, and way more exciting to find under the tree! All of that jewelry is stunning, and I’d be thrilled with any of it!! Thank you for the giveaway!
I love these ads. I also love the sapphire ring.
Super Jeweler you hit it right, had to laugh, it happen to me more then once but after 60 years maybe I will get one of the Amethyst, like JWL 15747 shaped Amethyst pendent.
Well yes back then every kind of Appliance, cooking pans, Irons Etc. We advertised towards Buying them for their Moms , Wifes etc. I Myself do not see anything wrong with getting an appliance you really want for Christmas!! I would love to get a Nice Big Mixer. With the Bowls and different beaters..I think they are made by kitchen aid. I guess I am a Little Old School!! Merry Christmas~~
I adore the sapphire ring…. so ornate….. it’s unbelievable to think a modern woman would be appreciative of receiving for Christmas, any practical household items that were featured in the advertising samples!!! it shows, today, how much women have evolved in the world and how we are no longer accepting being stuck at home to cook and clean and maintain the household….
I might have liked the washer back then – beats washing clothes on one of those wash board things. I got Christmas lights as part of a present one year – not what I wanted, especially when they are always 1/2 price off after. But it wasn’t the only present so he was ok. Love the sapphire ring.
This was awesome- loved looking at the old ads with your new twist. If I got an iron, or heaven help my partner a scale, it would be a bad day for him :) Now your jewelry would be a good day for both of us :) Happy Holidays!
Have to say prefer to have diamond studs then a toaster! Interesting read Liked <3
they will do just about anything to sell a product at Christmas won’t they? LOL! if my boyfriend or husband bought me that scale i’m afraid he would be making a little trip to the urgent care to have it removed! LOL! now if i got any one of those beautiful pieces of jewelry i would be thrilled.
tammy ramey
trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com
I am guilty of asking for “practical” gifts! lol Anything that makes your life more efficient, more productive, and easier really IS a gift. But jewelry is always #1 on my list :)
It feels like we’ve come so far…yet most women will be hustling all week to prepare their homes for the holidays! Thankfully, jewelry makes it all better!
I remember when getting household appliances was the norm. Thank goodness times have chanded.
I don’t feel like a “throwback” but these sure do make me re-think myself with a smile
good things
It leaves me wondering what makes them think that we like cleaning? Just because I am a woman and I clean doesn’t mean I like it, we all do things we don’t like. I don’t want a vacuum cleaner , a mop, a rug cleaner. You want to buy me a reasonable gift buy me a mixer , a blender, the state of the art cooking supplies because I love to cook. Not everything has to be shiny and gold.
It shows you how times have changed and women know their own minds and are much more independent and outspoken. If my husband gave me any of the appliances for the house I would throw them at him! While very practicable they are not very personal and I would much prefer some jewellery this year. Any of the three pieces would be very nice. I’m glad we are more independent and not so much “at home little housewives”, seen and not heard – we deserve so much more – thank you.
Some of those items I wish were still for sale. LOL the Domestic Goddess.
OMG !!!! I just Love the One on Christmas Morning she’ll be happier than a HOOVER BAHAHAH and I got a Hoover Wind Tunnel one year for Christmas too LMBO !!!! I was So Mad ! That Was the Year I told My Lovely Husband NO MORE HOUSEHOLD PROD WERE Aloud for Christmas anymore ! Bless His Heart But Yes It Was Those Adds !!!
These ads are terrific – a reminder of how things were back in the day. Maybe, they should be updated with guys doing all the chores & weighing in!
Sometimes it’s just nice to be remembered and get a gift at Christmas. I usually get gifts for the whole month in advance. I’d rather not but someone can’t wait for me to open them.
Merry whatever you celebrate!
I was recently looking at old newspapers that my
Parents had and the ads that were in there. The 40s- when women dressed like women in longer skirts and button down sweaters- regal- sophisticated. Then you see the ads for vacuums, ironing boards, mops…. lol. You wonder- when did they wear all this gorgeous clothing when they were portrayed as baby makers and cleaning women. A sign of the times – and advancement- but I still would’ve loved to be there at that time!
I found this article exactly on point. Gals now days if you want something special get yourself.
Would love to get a present for Christmas. The only present I get every year is being able to spend time with the grandchildren which is special to me. I do not get gifts but do give gifts to them. It would be nice to have a piece of jewelry but I would be happy for any present even if it was a vacuum. I am grateful cor what I got.
Wow what a blast from the past, appliances have certainly,evolved over the years and one ours will be posted as the old clunky models and so,etching new bright and shiny and no doubt much smaller and faster will have replaced them too. Certainly glad the hoover and sunbeam irons have changed….
Yep… I remember buying my mom a vacuum she loved for mother’s day and a brand new electronic sewing machine for Christmas. In all fairness, my mom didn’t want much… and I did buy her jewelry for her birthday!
These ads made me remember the Christmas when my Dad bought my Mom a portable dishwasher for Christmas. She wasn’t happy, but didn’t let on until he was out of earshot! Then, the kids heard about how appliances should never be given as gifts!! I don’t need any appliances, but this jewelry sure would be nice! 8-)
These ads really make you smile, and I like the sapphire ring.
this is a very funny story and the jewels are amazing
I told my husband, I don’t want anything expensive but don’t get me something I NEED, get me something I would WANT!
I love your jewelry it is beautiful,
I like the ring #JWL 15747
I like the ring # JWL 15747, THANK YOU
The sapphire ring for me
I love the classics, whether they’re vintage ads or beautiful jewelry as pictured above. I’d love to open those presents on Christmas morning!
I remember my Dad every year buying my mother something to clean with! Dad is 80 and my Mom is 82 – I love everyday that I spend with them, my sisters and I have paid for a cleaning service for their Christmas gift for the last 10 years so my Dad buys much better gifts now. :) The Sapphire Halo is gorgeous!
My Grandma had the Sunbeam iron!
so glad giving those practical gifts are not the most prevalent things of the day
My! How times have changed! Women are no longer in these appliance ads looking THRILLED that they got a new vacuum! haha
I hope to live long enough to enjoy those jewelry pieces as vintage. :-D
They are all pretty, but I really like the Purple necklace it’s my favorite! But purple is my favorite color. I have so any things to wear it with I would really appreciate winning it. It could be my perfect Christmas gift.
Oh my goodness, I’m am truly blessed for having been born later. Poor women, I feel so bad for them. Even in the 80’s some were still of the mentality that pressure cookers and such made perfect Mother’s Day gifts. I always found that odd, and made it a point to give the woman something that SHE can use. So I would usually give perfumes, night gowns, those gift sets of soap and things like that. Today I give gift cards to spas, department store gift cards or Visa gift cards. It’s much easier nowadays to gift a woman. If the woman is someone close to my heart then jewelry is a must. Now to be fair the ladies were happy to get washers and such for Christmas because the alternatives were not fun, but I’m sure those ladies would’ve been happy to have received a nice piece of jewelry that showed some thought behind it from it’s giver. Back then pearls were a big thing. Today’s woman is more independent and will go out and get it herself, but it’s always a better feeling when you’re given jewelry as a gift. Like the green Amethyst Halo ring would’ve knocked their socks off for sure. Those were certainly different times, but the scale, well, that’s a tad too much! I love the vintage adds.
Husbands really thought these were great gifts! I love anything from my hubby it shows he’s thinking of me!
Those women sure love their Hoover.
Love this…although I want Jewelry for Christmas…Brings back memories from grandparents.Would love to win!!!
Boy those ads remind me on how far we have come
Memories.Love your jewerly
I think it is a great idea and yes Christmas past does carry fond memories at times. Thanks for asking our opinions.
Oh those ads are so funny! Just what a woman wants. NOT.. I remember getting a tackle box for Mothers Day one year. I was not happy!!
I love all these vintage ads! But please don’t give me a scale for Christmas lol! I love that green ring <3
Sadly I have gotten some of those things for Christmas presents in the past.
Actually the vintage adds themselves on metal or wood would would be awesome gifts lol,but I would soo settle for the green amethyst halo lol
I actually don’t mind getting household things as gifts for Christmas…but those rings would be even better ;)
I honestly believe God rest his soul that my husband shopped by the ads. He always got me practical gifts that he thought I would love to do more work around the house. He was so excited when I opened them. I acted excited because I knew he was but 98% of the time I wasn’t. Never let him know tho.
love it
I think it is fun to see. I had completely forgotten about some of this.
I’ve never received a toaster or a vacuumas a gift,thank goodness. I love jewelry much better!!
I think I recall that scale. My mom was on a diet, and i remember watching her weigh herself regularly. The sapphire ring is on my wish list!
Ah, the fifties. When women contently cooked and cleaned in dress and pearls. Naturally if these women did not have an underpaid black maid doing for them.
This was so funny to read, although probably not so funny for those women. Those days it was all about cooking and cleaning and doing for everyone else. I suppose if it made their lives easier it was a good thing to receive, even for Christmas. I would absolutely prefer the green amethyst halo ring instead.
I love the old ads but I love the new jewelry even better.
Ugh, something that is chore-related is not a gift! Jewelry is much better!
I love chances to win something.
Ha! Great! And at the same time sad that this was caused by Madison Ave. How shameful those men were. I remember once though I wasyoung my Mom sitting on the floor crying after receiving such a gift because it meant my father only thought of her as the maid. Then he got mad because he spent hard earned money to help her. Etc etc. Man. That makes me mad. But at least you put a light spin on this and gave it a perspective. Thnz for another great read. N HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! E
Great blog! It is interesting how advertising forms societies and individual ideas. And also how some “buy into it” and some don’t. At least the women in these ads are not half naked. I love all of the jewelry pieces!
Gracias a Superjeweler los regalos nos traen esencialmente a la belleza y no a la utilidad
Amo sus joyas
Gracias a Superjeweier tenemos la posibilidad de reciber regalos de belleza y no de utilidad
Amo sus joyas
Looking at those ads explains why my mother and grandmother said any gift for the house was not a gift for them.
great to see the old ads…
I love this!! Sad thing is I rember half of them,my Grandmother had most of them,,,anyway,Merry Christmas to everyone,and good luck!!
Companies wouldn’t spend billions advertising if it didn’t correlate to direct sales
My Dad bought my mother an oven — and she loved the gift!
I’ve learned from experience that appliances are not gifts women want for Christmas! Jewelry is a sure hitter – you never go wrong with that! And you become a hero around their friends!!
Enjoyed the old ads for appliances.
Such pretty jewelry at great prices
These crack me up, almost like propaganda. Love both the amythest.
love it
I think these things were wonderful to the women that got them back then but they still should have gotten something romantic from their husbands or boyfriends. I like getting things for the kitchen or the house but I still want one gift with sentiment. Thank you for giving us the chance to win a beautiful piece of jewelry from you !!
What a funny blast from the past. I’m really blessed to say my dear husband has never given me a gift like those.
I got a vacuum cleaner for Christmas once – was hoping for jewelry, so this TBT just made me laugh since I could totally relate!
I’m a very practical girl and a practical gift-giver. I never give anyone anything that I don’t think that they would actually use and I don’t like getting gifts that are going to clutter up my already cluttered-up home. If I need a vacuum cleaner, I WANT a vacuum cleaner. HOWEVER—– I would NEVER turn down a beautiful piece of jewelry!!! And I WEAR IT! so,it’s a practical gift too! LOVE all 3 of these pieces! Happy Holidays to EVERYONE!
I remember seeing lots of those old ads. I have a friend who told me her husband bought her a bread box for Christmas one year. So, she bought herself 6 karat diamond earrings and told him she loved the gift from him. Needless to say they aren’t married anymore.
Great blog of “yesteryear” I think we as men & women have some of those core values still adoring certain appliances & gadgets that make her or his life easier BUT I have prewarned everyman I have ever been with that an appliance is a household need, not a “my need” & therefore will not be an acceptable gift, with the being written, that Amethyst shaped pendant is gorgeous & definitely acceptable.Happy Holidays & thank you for the opportunity.
These made me laugh! I remember them so well, along with remembering the year my dad bought my mom a Veg-O-Matic! He thought she should be really excited because now her task of making french fries was streamlined. Too funny. Nothing says love like “make me some fries.” Super J. knows what women really want!
my wife likes to get useful gifts but i bought her jewelry this yr
Those poor deluded males thinking that what the little woman really wanted was something for the house rather than something for themselves!
Jewelry is always my favorite gift! First Christmas we were married my husband gave me a ring his mother would adore! I on the other hand, thought it was hideous. I debated about telling him it was nice and never wearing it, but I decided if I was going to receive a lifetime of jewelery from this man, I better be honest and get what I want. Now we go shopping together on the Sunday before Christmas and pick out a beautiful piece, and them enjoy a nice lunch.
Interesting old christmas ads
the ads made chuckle, the jjewelery picks are far better! :)
the ads made chuckle, the jewelery picks are far better! :)
interesting read, clever marketing..all the jewelery pieces are so pretty!
Love seeing the ads, so funny, but I would take the toaster or Hoover vacuum- it just a fun gift.
These are hysterical. I think all husbands buy their wives at least one “practical” holiday gift. If they do it again, they become ex-husbands.
How cool to look back at ads,we have come a long way.We are not afraid to say how much we all love jewelry.It makes us so… happy. I would love those earrings,and they are in white gold.
I so so remember some of items posted back then thou were the days> Just say you really have too work doing laundry so on. things were made from scratch so on. The good ole days. All 3 pieces shown are so amazing gems thanks for a chance
i remember those ads how strange to look back now. I love your picks. HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all of you
I was given a vintage wash board because my now ex. thought it would be fun to learn to play it as a musical instrument. It was fun .. but, I dont think we could say we were good at it. (He plays banjo, normally! So, I think the wash board was a gift to himself .. at least,he took it when he left!)