Life — December 6, 1906 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine, December 8, 1906 - Christmas Illustration This is a satirical Christmas illustration drawn by Charles Dana Gibson (famous for the "Gibson Girl"). The image shows a woman's face surrounded by wrapped presents positioned above her head like a halo or crown. The text reads "XMAS 1906," indicating this is a holiday-themed piece from that year. The satire appears to target consumer culture and materialism associated with Christmas gift-giving—suggesting that for some people (likely wealthy women of the era), the holiday was defined by lavish material gifts rather than spiritual or traditional values. The Gibson Girl style and elegant presentation add ironic commentary on holiday excess and commercialism, themes Life magazine frequently satirized during this period.