1943: The Christmas season gets underway in Laurel

Despite the war, the 1943 Christmas season went on almost as it had in the past. The season officially began on December 1 when merchants began handing out tickets with each $.25 purchase. For example, each dollar spent would be worth four tickets. Shoppers then wrote their names on the tickets and deposited them in boxes in the different stores. Beginning on December 11, drawings were held each Saturday night until Christmas. Due to the wartime scarcity and rationing, war bonds and stamps were given out instead of merchandise and cash as had been the custom in the past.