A Pictorial History of the Playboy Gala Christmas Issue: 1953-2009 [57 Photos]

“If you’re a man between the ages of 18 and 80, Playboy is meant for you. If you like your entertainment served up with humor, sophistication and spice, Playboy will become a very special favorite.” Hugh Hefner could not have been more correct.  Fifty-six years ago this month in a kitchen in Chicago, Hefner and Eldon Sellers launched Playboy Magazine and forever changed the way the world looks at women.  To celebrate this momentous occasion, we have compiled every December Playboy Cover printed since it’s conception in 1953.  Times have changed a great deal since then, but thankfully for us, Playboy has stayed true to Hef’s original vision.

Playboy Magazine December 1953

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Marilyn Monroe

Playboy Magazine December 1954

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Terry Ryan

Playboy Magazine December 1955

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Janet Pilgrim

Playboy Magazine December 1956

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Lisa Winters

Playboy Magazine December 1957

Cover Model: Lisa Winters and Linda Vargas

Playmate of the Month: Lisa Winters

Playboy Magazine December 1958

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Joyce Nizzari

Playboy Magazine December 1959

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month:Ellen Stratton

Playboy Magazine December 1960

Cover Model: Teddi Smith

Playmate of the Month: Carol Eden

Playboy Magazine December 1961

Cover Model: Delores Wells

Playmate of the Month: Lynn Karrol

Playboy Magazine December 1962

Cover Model: Sheralee Conners

Playmate of the Month: June Cochran

Playboy Magazine December 1963

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Donna Michelle

Playboy Magazine December 1964

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Jo Collins

Playboy Magazine December 1965

Cover Model: Allison Parks

Playmate of the Month: Dinah Willis

Playboy Magazine December 1966

Cover Model: Nancy Gould

Playmate of the Month: Susan Bernard

Playboy Magazine December 1967

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Lynn Winchell

Playboy Magazine December 1968

Cover Model and Playmate of the Month: Cynthia Myers

Playboy Magazine December 1969

Cover Model: Jorja Beck

Playmate of the Month: Gloria Root

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