“Why does Christmas always come just when the stores are so crowded?” is a jocular question about Christmas. “Shame that Christmas comes just when stores are so crowded” was cited in an Ed Sullivan (1901-1974) newspaper column in 1949.
24 December 1949, Philadelphia (PA) Inquirer, Ed Sullivan column, pg. 11, col. 4:
NEW YORK, Dec, 23.
MY SECRETARY, AFRICA, SPEAKS.—Dear Bosss: “Shame that Christmas comes just when stores are so crowded,” moans Sang Werris.
27 December 1954, Bristol (PA) Daily Courier, pg. 5, col. 4:
Can’t understand why they have Christmas at a time when the stores are so crowded.
22 December 1955, Los Angeles (CA) Times, “Yule SHopping List” by Jack Guyer, pt. 2, pg. 5, col. 1:
And Christmas always comes when the stores are so crowded.
2 November 1964, Chicago (IL) Tribune, “A Line o’ Type or Two,” sec. 1, pg. 24, col. 3:
PROBABLY
Suppose Christmas will come again this year
Just when the stores are so crowded,
Q dear!
L’il Amy
Google Books
No hang-ups II
By Cliff Carle
Los Angeles, CA: CCC Publications
1986
Pg. 11:
Boy, can anybody tell me why Christmas always comes when the stores are so crowded!?
Google Books
Phillips’ Book of Great Thoughts, Funny Sayings:
A Stupendous Collection of Quotes, Quips, Epigrams, Witticisms, and Humorous Comments for Personal Enjoyment and Ready Reference
By Bob Phillips
Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House
1993
Pg. 68:
Why does Christinas always come just when the stores are so crowded?
Google Books
Henny Youngman’s Bar Jokes, Bar Bets and Bar Tricks
By Henny Youngman
New York, NY: Wings Books
1994
Pg. 127:
Why does Christmas always come when the stores are so crowded.
Twitter
🌸 Ellie 📎
@EllieM72
Why does Christmas always come just when the stores are so crowded?
3:45 PM - 16 Oct 2010
Twitter
Brandon Lyon
@BrandonLyon19
“Isn’t it a shame Christmas comes at the time of year when the stores are so crowded?” #Christmas #holiday
9:05 PM - 24 Dec 2014
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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