This ad from a 1954 copy of the Birmingham Daily Gazette. Queueing up the back stairs at Lewis's to see Father Christmas in his grotto with Uncle Holly a highlight of the season for many. I hope that you all get your heart's desires this Christmas.

Sample of a telegraph cable manufactured by Webster and Horsfell - 1600 tons of wire was drawn at a special engine shed in Hay Mills, Birmingham, in 1865 for the transatlantic telegraph cable from Europe to America. On display at Thinktank, Birmingham.

Anyone relate to this feeling during the run up to Christmas? This little finial was found at Weoley Castle and is part of the collection managed by Birmingham Museums' Trust.

Crescent Cycles Catalogue, 1900. Printed in Birmingham by Percival Jones Ltd. It's a lovely image and the sentiment of 'Free Wheels' must have appeared highly liberating for women wanting to shrug off the constraints of the 19th century.

A couple of recipes, in case of necessity.

In 1945 people were looking forward to a post-war Christmas. Times were still tough, but the Birmingham Daily Post carried some top festive tips.