Christmas Magazines Through The Years Woman’s Own Christmas Annual 1967

What was 1967 like?

It was the 15th year of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign and her Prime Minister was Harold Wilson. There were two pieces of legislation with far reaching consequences passed in this year, both in October. Male Homosexuality was decriminalised, but only for those over 21 and only for consensual acts in private. Despite the less favourable treatment, when compared to heterosexual acts which were legal at 16, and the fact that it was still illegal in the Armed Forces, it was an incredibly brave piece of legislation for the 1960s which, despite the exaggerated prevalence of the ‘permissive society’, was still very traditional at its heart. The decriminalisation of abortion, which was a Private Members Bill introduced by David Steel, later leader of the Liberal Party, was a social and healthcare issue that was costing the lives of women forced into having illegal abortions. The fact that both pieces of legislation continue to be controversial nearly 60 years on shows the seismic effect it must have had on society at the time. One thing Harold Wilson did not get through was his application for membership of the EEC. General de Gaulle who hated the British that had, after all, given him protection during the war years once again said ‘Non’!

In the New Year’s Honours List, one name stood out, that of Alf Ramsey. Still the only England manager to lead the country to World Cup glory, he became Sir Alf Ramsey following their success the previous year. The captain, Bobby Moore, never received a knighthood but he was honoured with an OBE at the same time. Geoff Hurst, who scored a hattrick in the final had to wait 13 years before he also received an OBE while the final five were honoured for their part in the final 33 years later in 1999!

In TV one of the main events was the transmission of the first episode of Trumpton on January 3. 20 years later it was still entertaining a whole new generation of children. The models, the songs and, above all, Brian Cant’s marvellous voice made this a show that has been referred to in popular culture multiple times. On July 1 the BBC started to experiment with the new medium of colour, even though very few colour sets yet existed. News at Ten was shown for the first time on ITV on 3 July.

In music, one event stood above all others in 1967, the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles, an album that ended up defining the 1960s for many people. After missing out on the Christmas Number 1 the previous year, the Fab Four were once again at the top of the charts on December 25 with ‘Hello, Goodbye’.

Woman’s Own Christmas Annual 1967

The first thing to notice on the cover is the quite significant price rise on the issue just two years earlier. It had risen from 3s 6d to 5s. It equates to a price rise of well over a third, and indicates, perhaps, a large increase in costs, as inflation was between 1 and 2% that year. In terms of the content, the magazine was maybe even more traditional than the 1965 version. If you look at the editorial below, the readers are strongly encouraged to get away from the trappings of the consumerist Christmas and to concentrate on the real meaning behind it. It’s interesting, and amusing, to see that the complaint of Christmas becoming too frantic was just as much in evidence in 1967 as it is in 2025. The reminder of the real meaning of Christmas is just as pertinent then as it is now. There is a feeling of Woman’s Own trying to reshape Christmas into one its older readers might recognise. This feeling is enhanced by the first main article ‘The Magic of Christmas’ which takes the reader back to simpler times and older traditions with the comfort of repetition. The author does wistfully reflect upon the fact that more people listen to the Nine Lessons and Carols on the radio than actually go to church, but she excuses them because of how busy the day is! Finally, as with the magazine two years earlier, the magazine looks towards Europe for some traditions that really reflect the season on the continent.

There is a tentative acknowledgement that children are maybe less likely to truly appreciate their gifts and that they are growing up more quickly than they used to. The Letter from Santa bemoans the younger generation and their reluctance to write thank you letters or indeed many letters at all! He suggests getting your children to write to him because they are guaranteed an answer. There is no indication that reinforcing the belief in Santa Claus himself is in any way a bad thing. In fact it is to be encouraged among the ‘doubting or … mentally had boiled child’! The benefits of keeping the wonder are extolled while the more modern concern of ‘lying’ to your child does not even come into it, an approach I wholeheartedly agree with.

However, even the most determined magazine has to accept reality in some ways. Their readership will be from diverse backgrounds with struggling manual workers at one end to the very well off, relatively speaking, professional class at the other. Hence, two articles are pitched quite clearly at the more affluent or more aspirational of their readers. First of all, there are suggestions for presents that will bring some luxury into Christmas for the pockets that can stretch to it. With prices from 25s to over £7, these would not be within the reach of many. However, even those people may find some inspiration from those ideas. If you wanted to impress your guests at a Christmas party, why not turn it into a Bistro party! Absolutely certain that nothing could impress more easily than French food, delicacies like garlic butter, three different types of soup, wine and fresh fruit! Failing that you could go Danish with Shrimp sandwiches, lots of different meats and beer! It would seem that even Woman’s Own would not go too far away from the familiar for fear of frightening the meat and two veg brigade of whatever income bracket!

Final Reflections

This is an interesting magazine in that it is fighting the potentially huge effect of societal changes by doubling down on tradition. This approach would no doubt have chimed with many around the country who were worried about the speed of change. However, these changes would not be stopped and eventually magazines like Woman’s Own would be forced to change themselves or become irrelevant. Despite the way that consumerism has altered the world of the sixties so markedly, there are still echoes of the wish to have a traditional Christmas, however we perceive that term, and return in some way to the magic of our childhood Christmases.

Next time it’s the turn of Woman’s Realm 1970.