Despite the war, Christmas goes on as usual

“The Christmas spirit is much in evidence,” said the Advocate of December 6, 1944. “Little Johnny and Suzie do not have to be coaxed and threatened to wash behind their ears, wood boxes and cob baskets are being filled as if by magic, and stocks of holiday merchandise are beginning to appear in stores. They are surprisingly good when present conditions are taken into consideration.“ As had been done for a number of years, Laurel merchants began handing out little red tickets with each $.25 purchase. The stubs would then be dropped in collection boxes around town for chances to win prizes in one of the drawings. Drawings were held on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons beginning December 16. This year the prizes would be war bonds and stamps instead of merchandise.