Christmas Times Past
Memories
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas this year something to remember and look back on with fondness. In years to come you too can recount your memories of Christmases past.
My earliest memories are when Granny got out the Christmas tree and then you knew it was Christmas. In November 1929 my Mum was born and in December of that year my Grandad bought a Christmas tree and decorations for his new daughter. Around 2 foot high and made of green feathers the tree was trimmed with glass baubles and candles in metal holders that clipped onto the branches of the tree. When Mum and her brother were small the candles were lit for just one hour on Christmas Day and despite being a fire hazard the tree survived well. My Granny decorated this same tree until she passed away so I remember it well. We still have many of the original multi-coloured baubles together with some other decoration from the 30s 40s and 50s. How things have changed. No outing last year’s decorations to be replaced by the “in” colour for this year in those days. The original tree had a fairy on the top which was treated to a new set of clothes every couple of decades. She is still being used, a bit moth eaten now but so would you be at 95 years old!
We always had a stocking at the end of the bed and Santa left an orange, some nuts and a new shiny coin in the toe together with a few little wrapped gifts like a colouring book and crayons and a bar of chocolate. The big present came from Mum and Dad, Grannies and Grandads bought the books (my favourite as I grew older was the Princess Ballet Book and I still have a full set from the late 50s through to the late 60s) or accessories for the big present, a bell for the bike, home knitted clothes for the new doll or extra lead soldiers for the fort.
Aunts and uncles bought selection boxes, sets of new hankies, hats scarves and gloves, bath cubes for older girls and perhaps the odd new torch.
Christmas activities centred round the church with the build up being the nativity story and what part you were cast for in the nativity play, then learning your lines and Mum making your costume. The nativity scene appeared in church before the day but baby Jesus did not get put in his manger until the Christmas morning service when he was often bought in by Mary. I was always an angel because they said I had a nice singing voice for the part .I think that comment was just to lighten my disappointment at not being cast as Mary. Every child knew the story of the nativity and it really was the most important part of Christmas. Christmas day consisted of Dad getting up early to put the turkey or goose in the oven before we opened our presents and dressed in our Christmas best for a trip to the church for our Christmas morning service. Back home for lunch, tidy up, listen to the Queen’s speech, play with your new toys while the grown ups had a quick snooze then the whole family would get together for Christmas tea, sandwiches, sausage rolls, pork pie, mince pies and Christmas cake and of course Nana’s sherry trifle which even the kids were allowed to eat at Christmas.
At the family party we played simple games, pass the parcel, pass the matchbox on the nose or the orange under the chin and our favourite dress the lady. A team member ran and collected an item of women’s clothing from the box at the end of the room and ran back to put it on their nominated man. The first team to get a fully dressed “woman” complete with balloon bosoms was the winner. I always found it hilarious to see my Dad in my Grannies long pink knickers and a bra.
How times have changed but what happy memories remain of Christmas past.
Compiled by: :Susan Strong
Member of Coleorton Heritage Group
January 2025