Reminiscing about My Childhood Christmases.
When I was a kid the first part of Christmas began at the evening service at our church where Santa Claus handed out a bag of Christmas candy to each child. My parents always took us to their friends' home where all the church people gathered for hot cider and everyone went up and down the street Christmas caroling.
We never opened presents on Christmas Eve so sleeping was difficult. My sister and I were not allowed to go into the living room until our parents were awake. We usually managed to get them up close to 5 a.m. Dad had to go into the living room and turn on the tree lights and get his movie camera ready before we could enter and see our gifts.
We always got great presents. The ones I remember most are a wonderful Shirley Temple doll with a baby carriage. Unfortunately, the doll had a China head and I broke it one day taking her for a walk in the carriage. I always received about three books which I usually had read by the time the day was over.
My dad built me a two story doll house and my auntie made all the furniture for it.
During the war no one could buy a bicycle so my dad built two (one for me and one for my cousin) out of pipes and parts he scavenged from here and there. Wow! That was a great present.
As I got older, clothes were the favored gifts. I remember angora sweaters and of course, more books.
On Sunday afternoon we went to my grandparents in South Pasadena for a big dinner, using all of Grandma's good China and glassware. Dishes had to be done before we once again opened gifts from our grandparents and our aunt and uncle.
Later in the day, my sis and I often walked up Grand Avenue and peeked in the gates of all the mansions.
What great Christmases they were. Looking back, I know my parents didn't have a lot of money, but they managed to provide wonderful memories for us.
Marilyn
We never opened presents on Christmas Eve so sleeping was difficult. My sister and I were not allowed to go into the living room until our parents were awake. We usually managed to get them up close to 5 a.m. Dad had to go into the living room and turn on the tree lights and get his movie camera ready before we could enter and see our gifts.
We always got great presents. The ones I remember most are a wonderful Shirley Temple doll with a baby carriage. Unfortunately, the doll had a China head and I broke it one day taking her for a walk in the carriage. I always received about three books which I usually had read by the time the day was over.
My dad built me a two story doll house and my auntie made all the furniture for it.
During the war no one could buy a bicycle so my dad built two (one for me and one for my cousin) out of pipes and parts he scavenged from here and there. Wow! That was a great present.
As I got older, clothes were the favored gifts. I remember angora sweaters and of course, more books.
On Sunday afternoon we went to my grandparents in South Pasadena for a big dinner, using all of Grandma's good China and glassware. Dishes had to be done before we once again opened gifts from our grandparents and our aunt and uncle.
Later in the day, my sis and I often walked up Grand Avenue and peeked in the gates of all the mansions.
What great Christmases they were. Looking back, I know my parents didn't have a lot of money, but they managed to provide wonderful memories for us.
Marilyn
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Marian