“Come on, Grandpa,” the young ones cry....

“Come on, Grandpa,” the young ones cry. “Tell us what Christmas was like when you were a kid, way back in the olden days.”

After Grandpa reminds the little smart alecks that calling his youth the olden days is not politically correct, or diplomatic, he can take them to see a 1920s Christmas today at the Homestead Museum in the City of Industry.

“What we’re trying to show (is) that, by the 1920s, the Christmas we know was already around,” said Max A. van Balgooy, the museum’s director of education and public affairs.

People sent Christmas cards, decorated trees, and “it was a ‘20s thing, when electric lights became more and more popular,” Balgooy said. “Much safer than candles, and you can get different colors and you can decorate outside.”

The museum also features exhibits on what Christmas in Southern California was like in the 1840s and 1870s.

“We’re looking at how dramatically Christmas changed,” Balgooy said. “In 1840, it was a

completely different idea.” Because the area was mostly inhabited by Mexicans at the time, the feast centered on the religious festival, with food, dancing and visiting with family and friends.

Balgooy pointed out that many current traditions came from other places. Christmas trees come from Germany. Gift giving, cards and holly are all English. And Santa Claus is Dutch.

“These traditions got mixed up and became an American Christmas by the 1870s, but on a very limited basis,” Balgooy said.

By the ‘20s, the traditions were all very familiar. And today only, a museum guide will tell you all about it during the special hours of 4 to 9 p.m. The last tour will begin at 7:30. Special admission for this event is $3, $2 for students and seniors. Kids under 5 will be admitted free.

The exhibit, at 15415 E. Don Julian Road, will be in place through Jan. 3. Regular hours are Tuesday through Friday, 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tours begin every hour and admission is free.