What Was a Grand Rapids Christmas a Long Time Ago?

Over the years Christmas has changed so much in Grand Rapids. Downtown was the center of excitement with large department stores bustling with crowds, seeing Santa, the beautiful Christmas decorations throughout downtown, and the fabulous animated windows of the stores. There was Steketee's, Herpolsheimer's and Wurzburg's. Wurzburg's always had those fabulous windows.

Last December 2021, Fubble Entertainment, a local production company formed by Patrick Ziegler and Teresa Thome, produced a Christmas TV special, "Twas The Night Before Christmas," all based around Grand Rapids. And, with that special, an original song was created, and it's a joy!

For long-time Grandrapidians, it will bring back so many memories and a Christmas from Grand Rapids' past. It was before the malls and suburban spread, when people came downtown to shop.

Let me take you back with the song and this beautiful video Patrick and Teresa produced. It will bring back so many memories, or, for those who never got a chance to experience those days, probably create a longing for a simpler, joyful, time in Grand Rapids.

Teresa and Patrick, along with Teresa's husband Fred wrote the song and local music composer and director, Scott Patrick Bell, wrote the music. It was sung by Edye Evans Hyde, and she's the best.

It was a magical place, downtown Grand Rapids, over the holidays. Kids wide-eyed with anticipation, visiting Santa, maybe riding the Herpolsheimer's train above the shopping floor, mom, dad, grandma, and grandpa gobbling up presents for Santa to put under the tree Christmas morning.

Times have changed as they always do, but hopefully not the love and hope for good times with family and friends, especially at Christmas.