Paddy Eger's Blog - Posts Tagged "christmas-in-1940s-19950s"
Christmas in the 1940s-1950s
As us old folks say, "those were simpler times". Around Christmastime that was especially true. For example:
Christmas Trees
Mid-December, we bundled up and put on our boots for the drive into the countryside to locate a tree. We drove slowly along, sizing up the fir trees along the road in hopes of finding the perfect tree. Sometimes we ventured into the woods or went out along a logging road to locate a tree. Either way, it was a family outing with an accompanying thermos of hot chocolate as we turned back home.
My Dad build an x-shaped stand and tacked the tree to it and we were set. First the bubble lights went on, then family ornaments and finally silver tinsel to make it sparkle day and night. The tiny manger sat front and center on the floor under the tree.
Christmas Socks
Since we didn't have a chimney, I remember hanging my Christmas stocking near the Christmas tree so Santa could sneak in the front door and fill it. In our home that stocking was one of my Dad's since mine were too small.
The next morning I knew most of what I'd find: walnuts, a peppermint candy cane and a red tissue wrapped Mandarin orange. Sometimes it also contained a surprise trinket like a small game where you slide the tiny balls around and try to sink them into slots or a jump-the-peg game intended to entertain me as we took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle to join our relatives for Christmas Day.
Christmas Presents
Waiting for presents to appear under the tree was the greatest of excitement of all. No rattling or shaking allowed. I sit and look at the boxes, reading the tags, counting up my total, usually two or three gifts. I always knew one was clothing or pj's, but the others hopefully answered my Santa wishes. Usually they did.
What Christmas memories or stories have you heard about the 1940s to 1950s that you'd like to share?
Christmas Trees
Mid-December, we bundled up and put on our boots for the drive into the countryside to locate a tree. We drove slowly along, sizing up the fir trees along the road in hopes of finding the perfect tree. Sometimes we ventured into the woods or went out along a logging road to locate a tree. Either way, it was a family outing with an accompanying thermos of hot chocolate as we turned back home.
My Dad build an x-shaped stand and tacked the tree to it and we were set. First the bubble lights went on, then family ornaments and finally silver tinsel to make it sparkle day and night. The tiny manger sat front and center on the floor under the tree.
Christmas Socks
Since we didn't have a chimney, I remember hanging my Christmas stocking near the Christmas tree so Santa could sneak in the front door and fill it. In our home that stocking was one of my Dad's since mine were too small.
The next morning I knew most of what I'd find: walnuts, a peppermint candy cane and a red tissue wrapped Mandarin orange. Sometimes it also contained a surprise trinket like a small game where you slide the tiny balls around and try to sink them into slots or a jump-the-peg game intended to entertain me as we took the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle to join our relatives for Christmas Day.
Christmas Presents
Waiting for presents to appear under the tree was the greatest of excitement of all. No rattling or shaking allowed. I sit and look at the boxes, reading the tags, counting up my total, usually two or three gifts. I always knew one was clothing or pj's, but the others hopefully answered my Santa wishes. Usually they did.
What Christmas memories or stories have you heard about the 1940s to 1950s that you'd like to share?
