Christmas Past

The other day, as I sorted through Christmas decorations, I found myself tripping down memory lane and thinking back to when my Dad was in the RAF and no matter where he was stationed, we as a family, always went home at Christmas time. When I say home, I really mean my Grandparent’s house in Cornwall.

Nan and Gramps lived in an old mill house, in the village of Tregonissey just outside St. Austell. It was an old stone house with no central heat, no running water and no indoor plumbing.

Even after all these years, I still have vivid memories of Christmas when my Grandfather would go in search of the perfect Holly tree. I never knew where he found it but he somehow managed to bring one home, much to everyone’s delight. He would then set it up in the front room and I, along with my Mom and Dad, would help decorate it. When it was completed we would light the little candles for a few minutes. Yes, you read it right…real, live candles on a real, live tree! Looking back that may have not been the smartest thing to do but that’s what people did back then, and nobody burned the house down…amazing!

Back in Christmas BC (before computers), gifts were simple and delightful. A game of Snakes and Ladders, a book, a rag doll; all gifts were appreciated, not matter how small. Most presents were hung on the tree and nothing was touched until after Christmas dinner was finished and dishes were done. Finally everyone gathered in front of the fireplace and a ‘Santa’ was selected. Presents were open one at a time, and displayed for everyone to admire. It always seemed like there were a lot of presents but actually there weren't, it just took so long to open them! Waiting for your turn could be agonizing when you were only 5 or 6 years old.

In the early evening, the oil lamps were lit and all gathered at the table for Christmas pudding. I HATED Christmas pudding! My only incentive to eat it, besides my Mom giving me her famous ‘mother look’, was the hope of finding the sixpence, wrapped in wax paper and hidden somewhere in the pudding.

While the ladies cleaned up, Gramp would crank up the old gramophone and slowly Christmas Carols would fill the room. Before I knew it, Mom would remind me that it was bedtime and because I knew there was no point in presenting the ‘but it’s Christmas argument’, said my goodnights, collected my hugs and climbed the long stairway. The only warmth provided was from an antique space heater and a huge, red hot water bottle. I always tried to fall asleep fast, before I froze to death!

What fond childhood memories of Christmas do you have?