N'oublie pas mon petit soulier
A history of Christmas presents
Whether it's big, small, round, square, bulky or discreet, the Christmas present is a source of impatience for children, who are busy drawing up the list of coveted toys, while adults are on the lookout for the original surprise. This year, the Castle of Gruyères is delighted to unveil the history of Christmas presents and long-awaited presents.
The N'oublie pas mon petit soulier (Don't forget my little shoe) exhibition retraces the evolution not only of the Christmas present, but also of the precious decorated paper we love to unwrap.
Exhibition curator,
Marie Rochel
Opening
Friday 22nd November, at 6 pm
Origins of the Christmas gift
Gift-giving has a long history, but Christmas presents only date back to the industrial era. The New Year's gifts given to subordinates gradually made their way into the bourgeois family sphere, where social practices and consumption patterns were evolving. Pampering one's children and family gradually became an essential part of Christmas celebrations, and affection was expressed through the gift of playful, luxurious or utilitarian objects that craftsmen and industries began to mass-produce.
The N'oublie pas mon petit soulier exhibition retraces the evolution of the Christmas gift, from its appearance and variety, to the way it is given and the beginnings of decorated packaging. With over a hundred objects, posters and letters to Santa from the collections of the Spielzeug Welten Museum and the Museum der Kulturen in Basel, the Museum für Gestaltung in Zurich and the Museum für Kommunikation in Berne, the exhibition takes us into the world of surprises and expectations, for young and old alike.
Exhibition views
With the support of
