Have you ever stopped to think about how Christmas has changed over the years?

Unless you have the incredible hindsight of columnist Laura Hinds, sometimes it's hard to remember what past Christmases looked, felt, and even smelled like.

So, for the week leading up to Christmas, we've done our research and are providing a daily look back at what Christmas in Onion Town was like, starting with sixty years ago, 1951, and ending with twenty years ago, 1991.

In the meantime, we want you to tell us what your favorite memories of Christmas in Danvers are. A certain local shop? The best present you ever received (or gave?) Let us know in the comments.

This Week in Danvers History: Christmas 1961

• The merchants in Danvers Square, described as "the friendly shopping center," were open for business every night leading up to Christmas Eve until 9 p.m. Free parking for shopping convenience was also added.

• The Blue Angels Drum and Bugle Corps, a group of 75 boys and girls ages 15-18 spent the week before Christmas caroling at destinations around the North Shore including Danvers Square, Danvers State Hospital, Hunt Hospital, as well as Salem and Beverly City Halls.

• Christmas week weather consisted of 2 inches of snowfall the Sunday before Christmas, followed by sub-zero temperatures. Intermittent snow flurries with a possible snow storm around Christmas were forecasted.

• Almy's Christmas bonus buys included Eskimo jackets for $12.98, Quilted Gift Dusters for $8.98, and Men's Arrow Shirts for $4.50. 

• A nativity scene was donated to be displayed to the public in front of Essex Aggie from the Essex County Women Advisory Council and the Extension Homemakers Club. The holiday creche included life size figures with live animals, a donkey, sheep, and cow.) The Nativity scene was a popular visitng place for North Shore residents.

Christmas History:

Christmas in Danvers: 1951