Christmas in the 1900’s in Ipswich was a special time with The Queensland Times running advertisements throughout November and December for local businesses to encourage local residents to purchase from their wide selection of gifts for the family. Presents varied with each mother, father, wife, son, daughter, sister and brother receiving something special and memorable:

Gifts from the family –

F.A. Whitehead photographs: For a personalised gift to friends and family order your portraits through Ipswich photography studio F.A. Whitehead on Brisbane Street.

Shelton Bros. Photographers: Order your enlargements and portraits ready for Christmas with our up-to-date photography processes from our studio on Nicholas Street.

Reed’s Furnishing House: Purchase some extra special Christmas furniture for the family to enjoy over the Festive season at Reed’s Furnishings.

Gifts for your wife –

Richey & Co.: Why not purchase beautiful Christmas presents and novelties for your wife at Richey’s with a wide selection of hand stitched and embroidered linen handkerchiefs and silver trinket boxes and vases.

F. Goleby saddle, harness and collar manufacturer: Afford your wife a lovely leather purse, belt or dressing case through Goleby’s and she is bound to be impressed with its splendid workmanship and practicality.

Rawlings Bros.: A new pair of shoes may be the perfect gift for your wife this Christmas. Rawlings Bros. have a broad selection of women’s shoes that have been produced in some of the best factories in the world and especially ordered for the festive season.

Loynes’s: Buy a suitable Christmas gift at Loynes’s for your wife, with a splendid selection of 10 piece tea sets, 6 piece toilet sets and a beautiful selection of fancy crockery.

H. Arthy Jewellers: Purchase something personalised and special for your wife at Arthy’s best value jewellery store. A solid gold pendant, gold lace pin or an English enamel buckle may be the perfect gift.

Gifts for your husband –

Richey & Co.: A new white straw boater hat may be just the right present for your husband this festive season and why not purchase a stylish new tie as an accompaniment (available in numerous colours).

F. Goleby saddle, harness and collar manufacturer: Goleby’s have a wide assortment of leather belts fit for your husband at Christmas as well as many styles of men’s purses. You may even want to afford him a new saddle or well-built whip.

M. Pond the people’s tailor: Drop into Pond’s tailors for a special Christmas suit fitting or record your husband’s measurements and have his suit specially made in a one off pattern.

Gifts for the children –

Aspinall’s Beehive Boot Bazaar: Purchase something special for your children this Christmas with dainty fancy flapper heels for your daughter, smart shoes for your son and beautiful baby booties for your little one.

Martoo’s: Pop in to Martoo’s for their ‘Great Removal Sale’ this festive season. They have a wide selection of toys for the children to open and enjoy on Christmas day.

Food for the family at Christmas –

Barry & Roberts: Drop in to pick up your family’s Christmas treats at Barry & Roberts with its special Christmas cakes, nut selections, Christmas stockings, lollies and the all-important, ham.

J.P. Bottomley & Co.: Place your Christmas meat order in at J. P. Bottomley’s Butcher for fresh quality meat. Order special Christmas mutton, ham, veal, pork, suckling pig and a pickled or smoked tongue for the day.

Lee & Reed’s: Goodies galore at Lee & Reed’s with a variety of dried fruits and nuts as well as a wide selection of tinned fruit, jams, tinned fish, biscuits, chocolates, hams and cordials.

Christmas advertising fans for the Cribb & Foote store, 1933 – Image courtesy of Picture Ipswich