At the end of November, adverts were beginning to appear to tempt shoppers in the lead up to Christmas.
There was obviously competition between shops which sold ingredients for seasonal recipes!

‘Shapley’s for Christmas Presents’ advert
Some Exeter businesses advertised in the surrounding, local newspapers. Shapleys were confectioners in the High Street for many years, also trading as ‘Freeth’s Tofferies’. Their premises were almost opposite the Guildhall.

A postcard showing Tiverton’s Fore Street in the 1950s.
This postcard of Fore Street, Tiverton in the 1950s, shows two of the shops who were advertising their Christmas wares in 1924. The International Stores has its awnings out and in the left foreground is T Kirks.
Just to show the variety of things that are held in the Museum, they may be as large as the Tivvy Bumper (come and see it decorated for Christmas in December!) or as small and as delicate as two paper bags from the International Stores.
Thomas Kirk’s invoice was issued in December 1923 and is one of several in our archive collection along with many posters and tickets which were printed by Kirks.

Invoice from Thos. Kirk, High-Class Printer, Stationer, Fancy Goods Dealer etc.
Like this poster, for the Carnival Dance held in May 1924.

A poster for a Public Dance at the Territorial Hall in Tiverton.
Written by Museum Volunteer, Sue B