Dundee Christmas photos from 70s and 80s recall Yuletide magic of yesteryear

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By Gbam Godwin

Dundee Christmas photos from 70s and 80s recall Yuletide magic of yesteryear.

These old photos from the DC Thomson archives depict Christmas joy in Dundee in the 1970s and 1980s.

Graeme Strachan Christmas is almost approaching, so we’ve opened our archives to look back at Dundee’s seasonal celebrations from the 1970s and 1980s.

These images depict everything from Christmas lights, parties, and shopping to nativity plays and children sitting on Santa’s lap. Were you the child who got a novelty pencil sharpener?

In addition, there are Christmas buskers, festive party hats, and wise men. John Menzies has packed shelves and a rare view of Dundee United manager Jim McLean smiling among the seasonal happiness.

Everything is here – and more. Who will you identify in our Christmastime journey through history?

Meeting Santa

Children posing with Santa Claus, one holding a giant teddy bear.
Children posing with Santa Claus. Image: DC Thomson.

Two small children met Santa in a Dundee store in December 1970. The teddy bear was nearly as large as the girl. This was in the peak of department stores. There was a Santa’s Grotto at G.L Wilson, Draffens, and D.M Brown.

Dens Road Primary

pupils decorating a model Santa with a sleigh and reindeer
Dens Road Primary Santa model. Image: DC Thomson.

Dens Road Primary School students worked on a model of Santa and Rudolph, which was displayed at their open day in December 1971. The model stood eight feet tall. No detail was overlooked.

Can you identify anyone in the picture?

Toy helicopter

Santa with a toy helicopter, watched by a group of small children.
Santa showing off the toy helicopter before Christmas. Image: DC Thomson.

A bunch of enthusiastic children meet Santa at a Dundee shop in November 1975. They were getting ready for the celebrations ahead of schedule.

The helicopter chase toy was battery powered.

 Christmas party

A group of old ladies in party hats seated for a show in Dundee.
Lochee senior citizens party. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1977, these Lochee older people were all smiling and wearing party hats.

They were enjoying a Christmas party at St Mary’s Hall. Star Wars toys were the must-have Christmas gifts that year.

Draffens

Santa with kids at a grotto.
Santa was well liked by the mums and children at Draffens. Image: DC Thomson.

Santa appears to be the most cheerful of the lot here at Draffens’ toy department, located on the corner of Whitehall Street and Nethergate.

Visiting him in December 1978 was clearly a serious affair. William Callander played Santa.

He spent four years in the retail store.

Lochee Christmas lights

A large Christmas tree lit up at night in Lochee, Dundee
A busy scene beside the Christmas tree. Image: DC Thomson.

Lochee’s Christmas tree lights were turned on in December 1979. During the switch-on ceremony, the children sung carols.

The Christmas tree stands in the rear of the once-bustling Highgate Centre.

Keiller Centre

Santa hands over presents in a grotto.
Santa and children at the Keiller Centre. Image: DC Thomson.

In November 1981, a long line of children gathered at the Keiller Centre to visit Santa. Behind the Big Man, there was a phone connected to Greenland.

One girl received a box of “Matchbox novelty pencil sharpeners”.

Barnetts

Santa emerges from the sunroof in a car in the 1980s.
Santa at Barnetts garage through a sunroof. Image: DC Thomson.

Santa landed at Barnetts on Riverside Drive in November 1983. He swapped his sleigh for a Volvo Turbo.

The automobile sped from 0 to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and reached 125 mph.

Nativity play

Children dressed for Nativity scenes in Dundee.
Junior Sunday School nativity members. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1983, children took part in the Nativity Play at St Columba’s Church.

The baby’s manger had obviously seen better days.

John Menzies

Toy shelves at John Menzies.
There was a wide selection of dolls on display. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1984, the John Menzies toy department was located in Murraygate.

The games featured Monopoly, Cluedo, and Scrabble, as well as newbies like Trivial Pursuit, Frustration, Blankety Blank, and Etch-a-Sketch.

Sad Sam, a “life-sized spaniel puppy wistfully gazing down at customers from his wicker basket chair,” was among the “bigger than ever” soft toys on offer.

Ship-shape

A boy unwraps Christmas present in front of the tree
Excited for presents before Christmas. Image: DC Thomson.

Christopher Berry of Muirfield Street, Dundee, couldn’t wait to find out what he was getting for Christmas in December 1984.

It is unclear why he looked to be dressed as a sailor.

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Camperdown Church

Youngsters in costume for a Dundee nativity play.
The Sunday School nativity performance. Image: DC Thomson.

Camperdown Church Sunday School performed a nativity in December 1984.

The stuffed donkey stole the show.

Tannadice Park

Santa with Paul Sturrock and Jim McLean.
Jeff hands over £250 cheques and two kegs. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1984, local publican Jeff Stewart dressed as Santa Claus and gave awards to Dundee United manager Jim McLean and scorer Paul Sturrock.

Santa’s visit on behalf of a brewery brought United good fortune.

They won their next two Premier Division games, a 1-0 triumph over Aberdeen four days later and a 2-1 victory over Celtic to end the year.

However, Aberdeen finished the season as champions. United finished third, behind Celtic.

Valentines of Dundee

A lady with a giant Christmas card.
An exhibition of the new cards was held in the Swallow Hotel. Image: DC Thomson.

Fiona Colbron, receptionist of the Swallow Hotel, displays the most recent and largest Valentine collection of Christmas cards for 1984. “Famous throughout the world” was the company’s logo. Valentines produced cards, postcards, and calendars in Dundee for over 150 years before ceasing in October 1994.

Carolina House

A man hands over electronic items to a group of Dundee youngsters in the 1980s.
Smiles all round for the residents of Carolina House in 1984. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1984, oil rig workers dressed as Santa Claus and handed out gifts to children at Carolina House in Dundee.

The men earned £1,200 for Christmas and donated a collection of clock radios and other technological devices, including a video recorder. Carolina House cared for children and young people.

Overgate Centre

Two people busking dressed as Santa.
Nick and Jeremy performing amongst concrete and graffiti. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1985, two former students added a Christmas touch to their busking in the pedestrian tunnel of the old Overgate Centre. I wonder how much they made? The initial caption merely mentioned “Nick and Jeremy”. The original Overgate was dismantled in 1998 and replaced by a modern shopping centre.

Linlathen

Santa with two Dundee kids.
Linlathen Christmas fair in 1986. Image: DC Thomson.

In November 1986, two youngsters saw Santa Claus at the festive fair held at the Lincraig Centre in Linlathen.

Meeting Santa was always the highlight of children’s pre-Christmas season.

Wellgate Centre

A shopping centre at Christmas.
People heading down the escalators. Image: DC Thomson.

Christmas shoppers at the Wellgate Centre, December 1986. These were the retail mall’s glory days.

City Square

Santa Claus on his sleigh in Dundee City Square.
Santa Claus before the Christmas lights were switched on. Image: DC Thomson.

Santa arrives at Dundee City Square in 1987 for the Christmas lights.

The sleigh appears to be being hauled by a horse. A large audience gathered for the switch-on.

Rosebank Primary

Children line up in a nativity in Dundee.
A nativity scene backstage before the concert. Image: DC Thomson.

Rosebank Primary School’s Christmas concert was held in December 1987.

These children were suited up for the Nativity scene. The concert was held for parents.

Christmas Card

Santa and children beside the Dundee Christmas lights.
Santa and children beside the Christmas lights. Image: DC Thomson.

In December 1988, Santa was in City Square with children.

Dundee District Council had already begun forward planning. It was a photo shoot for the council’s official 1989 holiday card.

Can you identify any of the young people?

Dundee fan mail

Santa and a small child beside a computer in Dundee.
Santa with Richard Lindsay of Newton Road. Image: DC Thomson.

Technology was improving throughout the 1980s. In December 1989, Santa visited the Kirkton Community Centre playgroup to pick up fan letters, and he was accompanied by two-year-old Richard Lindsay.

Horse and cart

Santa on a horse and cart in Broughty Ferry.
Santa on a horse and cart in Broughty Ferry. Image: DC Thomson.

Santa rang the bell as the Broughty Traders’ Association festive horse and cart paraded through the streets in December 1989.

 

He was spreading holiday cheer while raising funds for worthy causes. It is the last image in our Dundee festive gallery.

Did these bring up any memories for you?

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