The tree was cut, always cedar....decorated with mostly handmade stuff and angel hair pulled over it to make it magical.
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| A typical cedar tree for Christmas |
When I was younger .. the magical stage where there was some gifts, but there was Santa Clause. Those were wonderful times. I got one gift from my grandparents. I had one gift from my Aunt Frances. She always, every single Christmas had a gift from her under the tree. She always lived a distance but the postman always brought it in time for Christmas. Everyone should have an Aunt Frances. I cannot remember getting a gift from my parents. Well, except for one Christmas, but that is another story.
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| Nurse, baby doll and high chair... I had all of these |
I got a Nurses set one year and spent hours and hours listening through the stethoscope and giving out pills or using the syringe to give shots.I cannot forget the paper doll book and coloring books and crayons.
There was always a stocking filled to the brim. Filled with oranges, tangerines, apples, peppermint sticks,unshelled pecans, walnuts and Brazil nuts, and some chocolate candy. The stocking itself was one of my socks or one of Grandaddys'. That was IT. No fancy ones, just practical ones.
There was also the gifts I had gotten for Grandmother and Grandaddy. Usually I made them or when I made some money babysitting I would buy something. Grandmother got a handkerchief that was embroidered and Grandaddy got some pocket ones with his initial. Do men still carry handkerchiefs, I wish they would. So classy. Granddaddy always had a bunch of presents. He was a bus driver and policeman and people gave him lots of wonderful things. Cookies, cakes, socks and more socks.
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| Like mine, but prettier. |
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| no telling the hours spent with these |
Santa always brought me my most desired dream. Usually one or two things were under the tree. I remember getting dolls on many Christmas mornings. Some would need their diapers changed, some would need to be fed and a couple were just plain beautiful. There was often a game. Monopoly or something to make my mind better. One year I got a set of Compton's Encyclopedia. I also got Lincoln logs and tinker toys and a cowgirl outfit complete with a six-shooter.
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| Lincoln Logs |
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| Tinker Toys |
There was some clothes. I remember several coats and some beautiful boots. Aunt Frances sent me blouses. They never quite fit, but they were always beautiful and I kept them because she was the only person who remembered me except my grandparents.
Christmas presents were pretty much the same until I went away to college. Well, they became more age appropriate, but never a bunch of stuff. Nicely selected just for me. One year I got a record player that was in a suitcase like carrier. It played both 33 1/3 and 75 records. One record that I played over and over again was Oklahoma. I remember my sister visiting and laying across the bed listening for hours.
When I left home, I pretty much left home. I was never there again except for Christmas and of course presents were practical but given with much love.
The first present I ever received that was not from my family was in 1954. It was probably the most exciting one I ever received. I had met a boy in April and was pinned. At Christmas he gave me a short sleeved black CASHMERE sweater. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I kept that sweater until late in the seventies..just to look at from time to time.
Isn't it funny. I remember some presents, just a few. But I remember the really bad times and the really important ones like the warmth of the tree, my grandparents consistency in making sure I had a good Christmas, the loving care they gave me. I remember special times like the little house in Lake Mary, the Christmas at the Beach, a time in Daytona, a time in Pinehurst.... More on Christmas memories...later.
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