The following excerpts are from Henry Starr's diary of 1852 - 1853

Thursday, December 23, Last night it rained and has been warm all day. This afternoon made garlands of evergreens for Christmas.

Saturday December 25, Christmas has come again, and another year is nearly past. This morning when I awoke, I found my stocking was filled with figs, candy and almonds. After breakfast, received from Mother a book called Sunnyside, an Indian Rubber Ball, and a hair comb. Grandpa gave Florry and I The Book of Gems. Florry gave me a bookmark, and Lizzy a little looking glass, and Eunice half a dollar. Father's present was his share in the library. I gave to Grandpa an ink stand, and to Father a nail brush, to Mother some Motto makers, to Florry a platina comb, to Lizzy two little tables and a book, to Channy a mouth organ, to Eliza a Book of Psalms, and to Eunice a bottle of Cologne water. The children had fur tippets, books etc. and all the presents were arranged on a table which looked beautifully. Yesterday Florry and I dressed the back parlor with evergreens, which makes it look very pretty. I skated all the forenoon, and then it began to snow, and continued a part of the day. In the afternoon Mother played games with us.