“I’ll write a note to Santa Claus,” announces the little girl in an anonymous poem published in the Farmington Chronicle in 1893.

By the late 19th century, Christmas had already become a commercial as well as a religious holiday. Santa was alive and well in the hearts of Farmington children who expected him to provide gifts under their Christmas tree.

By 1820, Christmas shopping was becoming a part of the holiday season in American cities. By 1840, Santa Claus had entered the picture, and newspapers were beginning to advertise their wares for holiday giving.

As the 1800s progressed, more and more stores opened their doors in downtown Farmington, and by the end of the century, the village was bustling with commercial activity, especially in December.

“Make the Children Happy at Christmas Time” announced an article from the local paper in 1893. “In buying your children presents, don’t buy to suit your own age, but gratify the wish of each child’s heart if possible,” the writer admonished. “It is so easy now to surround children with every implement of happiness.”

In 1893, the place to shop for these “implements of happiness” was Jas. F. Sandborn’s on Broadway. Sanborn carried “toys of every description to suit boys and girls of every age.”

One of the toys Farmington boys probably had on their wish list was a gun. BB guns and penny pistols became popular in 1880s, although some parents frowned on the idea even then. Little girls passing by Sanborn’s would have been intrigued by the doll display. Dolls had first been mass-produced in America in 1840. By 1893, even talking dolls were available, thanks to the innovations of Thomas Edison.

In 1893, Farmington holiday shoppers had over 20 retailers to choose from right in the village. Adults as well as children exchanged gifts on Christmas Day, and store owners catered to them as well.

Among the downtown merchants was Miss M.S. Maxwell, who offered hats “trimmed to order with all the deftness of the art.” At the Red Store on the corner of Main and Broadway, Currier Tarbox sold “suits for Christmas gifts with the privilege of exchanging.”

Tarbox proclaimed that “None but the absolute destitute need go naked hereabouts for $3 I can supply a serviceable man’s suit.”

At L.A. Smith’s, also downtown, shoppers would find piano and banquet lamps of silvered metal with onyx bases. Albert Kezar carried a line of smokers’ supplies, including pipes, cigars and tobacco, “which lovers of the weed will appreciate.” Shoppers could find stamped linen tray cloths at Lincoln’s, a holiday special of knotted fringe at the the Remnant Store and richly embellished family Bibles from H.P. White and Co.

Druggist A.W. Pottle did not want to be left out of the holiday shopping frenzy. “Health is wealth” he declared and contended that his own sarsaparilla, as well as his other “pills and potions” would be a “readily accepted gift” for anyone ailing over the holidays.

Luann Yetter has researched and written a history column for the Sun Journal for the past nine years. She teaches writing at the University of Maine at Farmington. Additional research for this column by UMF student David Farady.