“Mug” collection: what was given to front-line soldiers for Christmas during the First World War.
During the First World War, many Russian newspapers and magazines announced a collection of gifts for front-line soldiers. Anyone could donate warm underwear, tobacco, boots, soap, threads, needles, paper, pencils and other small items to the editorial office for the soldiers. With the support of leading publications, “circle” gatherings were regularly held:
“On November 19, a two-day group gathering begins in Petrograd and its environs to purchase Christmas gifts for our soldiers. The gathering is organized by Her Imperial Highness Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna…
About 3,000 mugs were distributed. The money collected will be used to purchase gifts for the soldiers. Each gift will consist of: a set of warm underwear, 1 lb. sugar (approx. ~400 gr.), ⅛ lb. tea, ¼ f. tobacco, 1 box of matches, a wooden spoon, an open letter with the donor’s address (for a reply), a printed holiday greeting and a tin of insect repellent powder. All this will be wrapped in a calico scarf…
All prepared gifts will be sent to the active army on special trains, accompanied by authorized representatives, as well as several collectors. Gifts will be delivered to the soldiers before the holidays.
In addition to monetary donations, at the warehouse of Grand Duchess Ksenia Alexandrovna (Moika 106) and at regional points, daily, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., donations are accepted for the preparation of Christmas gifts: warm clothes, scarves, tobacco pouches, cigarettes, tobacco, tea , sugar, soap, gingerbread, nuts, etc.”
The following lines very eloquently testify to the scale of the action:
“…Collectors and assemblers stood on the corners of central streets, were on duty at train stations, theaters and cinemas, and went around government, public and private institutions. By 6 p.m. the prepared million badges with the image of the Bethlehem Christmas star turned out to be insufficient. It was necessary to replace the badges with Russian national flags and flags of allied states. The gathering was especially successful in many secondary and lower educational institutions. Many students themselves participated in the gathering on the streets.”
“ВЧК ОГПУ”