The Lighter Side is a division of The Johnson Smith Company, one of America’s oldest catalogs companies. In 1905, Alfred Johnson Smith, started selling his novelties and practical jokes in Australia. The company was officially founded in the U.S.A. in 1914, when Mr. Smith shipped his first package from Chicago. Today, the Johnson Smith catalog is known as “Things You Never Knew Existed.”

The Lighter Side catalog was added in 1979 and is a unique collection of over 500 lighthearted gifts of “wit and whimsy, merriment and mirth,” The Lighter Side is famous for its collection of licensed and nostalgic collectible merchandise.

UPDATE: In 2020 The Johnson Smith Company brands were acquired by Winston Brands. Johnson Smith Catalog brands included The Things You Never Knew Existed Catalog, The Lighter Side Catalog, and Betty’s Attic Catalog.  Winston brands indicated that they are “moving forward and blending them into” their current family of Collections Etc.” Here’s a link to The Lighter Side & Betty’s Attic collections, (now combined?), at Collections, Etc.

Bonus Unusual Gift Catalog Link:

The Things You Never Knew Existed section of the Collections, Etc. website

Bonus Additional Shopping Source:

Collections, Etc. Store at Amazon.

This catalog is also featured on our top 5 list for unique gift ideas. You may find other great catalogs there that you can’t live without!