Last updated at 00:45 21 December 2007

Children make paper chains and collect mistletoe, families gather to put up the decorations, and even footballers blow up balloons.

These heart-warming photographs of Christmases from the last century prove this time of year doesn't have to be an orgy of self indulgence.

These were the magical days before electronic games, health and safety fears and overpaid Manchester United players behaving badly with young models.

We could enjoy what so many people are now yearning for - a simpler Christmas.

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