From holiday classic to cultural curiosity:
The story behind Schlitz's famous 1950s Life magazine Christmas ad

Few vintage Christmas advertisements tell the story of mid-century America quite like a Schlitz Beer ad that appeared in Life magazine during the 1950s. The illustration features a husband standing comfortably in the kitchen pouring himself a glass of beer while, in the background, his wife wrestles with a freshly cut Christmas tree. Today the image is often shared online as an example of outdated gender roles, but at the time it reflected the idealized vision of postwar American family life that advertisers were promoting. Following the end of World War II, millions of families settled into new suburban homes, consumer spending surged, and magazines like Life became showcases for the latest appliances, automobiles, and household products. Beer companies, including Schlitz, marketed themselves not just as beverages but as symbols of relaxation and domestic success.

Christmas preparations at the time were portrayed as a family affair, yet advertising frequently depicted husbands enjoying the rewards of the season while wives handled much of the decorating and holiday hard work. Modern audiences often view the image with a mix of amusement and disbelief, but historians view it as an authentic snapshot of the era's culture. The ad has become one of the most recognizable holiday advertisements of the 1950s, offering a fascinating window into how Christmas, marriage, and family life were portrayed during America's postwar boom years.

More than seventy years later, the Schlitz story is coming to an end. In May 2026, Pabst Brewing Company announced it was discontinuing Schlitz Premium after 177 years, citing rising production, storage, and shipping costs along with declining demand. Before the final curtain falls, Wisconsin Brewing Company received permission to brew one last commemorative batch, giving fans of "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous" an opportunity to raise one final glass to one of America's most iconic beer brands.

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25 Towns, One Big Christmas Dream: Hallmark’s 2026 Contest Heats Up

Hallmark’s search for America’s merriest Christmas town has entered its next phase. What began in July as a nationwide invitation for communities to show off their holiday spirit has now been narrowed to 25 finalists, each of which has earned recognition as an Official Hallmark Christmas Town. The competition is part of Hallmark Channel’s 25th anniversary celebration. One lucky community will ultimately have the opportunity to be featured in a future Hallmark original movie.

The nomination period officially closed on August 10, and public voting opened on August 14. Fans can now cast a vote each day through September 4, giving the finalists several weeks to rally residents, visitors and, presumably, every cousin, coworker and Facebook friend. The contest is designed to recognize communities that capture the ingredients Hallmark believes make Christmas special: community spirit, holiday traditions, neighborhood charm and goodwill.

The 25 finalists represent a broad slice of Christmas America. Among the communities attracting attention are Marlborough, Boerne, Carlinville, Bemidji and Lewisburg. Each has its own Christmas personality, from historic downtowns and elaborate lighting displays to parades, markets and traditions that have been bringing communities together for generations.

All 25 finalists are already winners of sorts. Each will receive Hallmark’s Official Hallmark Christmas Town designation, along with promotional materials designed to help communities celebrate and publicize the honor. But the grand prize winner will receive the contest’s most cinematic reward: the chance to have its town featured as the setting for a Hallmark original movie. For communities that have spent years hearing visitors say, “This place looks like something out of a Hallmark Christmas movie,” this competition offers the tantalizing possibility that the cameras may actually show up.

The contest has also sparked a burst of hometown campaigning across the country. In Boerne, Texas, local supporters are highlighting the town’s Dickens on Main celebration, holiday parade and German heritage. Marlborough, Connecticut, is pointing to its seasonal traditions and picturesque Lake Terramuggus, while Bemidji, Minnesota, is promoting its annual First City of Lights celebration. In Lewisburg, West Virginia, supporters are showcasing the historic downtown and its Magic of Christmas festivities.

Voting continues through September 4, after which Hallmark and its judging process will determine which community ultimately earns the title of Hallmark’s Merriest Christmas Town. The winner is expected to be announced around Halloween, providing a particularly festive piece of news just as the Christmas season prepares to kick off. Until then, the 25 finalists have a few more weeks to prove that when it comes to Christmas spirit, their town is the one where Hallmark’s cameras should come calling.

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For many Australians, Christmas in July isn't just a fun novelty. It's a chance to experience the kind of holiday that people in the Northern Hemisphere have enjoyed for centuries. Since Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas falls during the height of summer, with temperatures often soaring into the 80s, 90s, or even over 100°F. That means Santa arrives amid backyard barbecues, beach trips, cricket matches, and Christmas dinners served with the air conditioning running.

July, however, brings Australia's coldest weather of the year. In the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and other cooler regions, fireplaces are in full swing, frosty mornings are common, and some areas even receive light snowfall. That's when hotels, inns, and restaurants host elaborate "Yulefest" celebrations featuring roast turkey, glazed ham, Yorkshire pudding, mulled wine, Christmas pudding, and carol singing.

The tradition began taking hold in the 1980s when travelers staying in the Blue Mountains asked local inns to recreate a traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas. The idea proved so popular that it spread throughout Australia and neighboring New Zealand. Today, Christmas in July festivals, themed markets, ugly sweater parties, and special restaurant menus can be found across the country, attracting both locals and tourists.

While Americans celebrate Christmas in July because it's a fun excuse to think about the holidays early, many Australians celebrate because July actually feels like Christmas should. They often joke that December 25 is "the official Christmas," while Christmas in July is the one that finally comes with sweaters, hot cocoa, and a roaring fire.

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Our latest review!

At first glance, Santa Camp appears to be a lighthearted documentary about professional Santas gathering in the New Hampshire woods to perfect their craft before the Christmas season begins. And it's true that this 2022 HBO documentary certainly delivers plenty of charming moments, from beard grooming and costume workshops to lessons on portraying the big man himself. But beneath its cheery surface lies a much different story about identity, inclusion, and who Santa Claus represents in our ever-changing world.

Read the full review of this movie, as well as all our mini movie and soundtrack reviews, by clicking here!

For fans of Elvis Presley and Christmas, Christmas with Elvis by Robert Elder offers a nostalgic look back at the King's iconic connection to the holiday season. With vintage photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and historical insights, the book explores how Christmas became an important part of Elvis's personal and public life.

Learn more about Robert Elder's Christmas with Elvis, as well as all our featured Christmas books, by clicking here!