Christmas Memories

 My first Christmas memory is from when I was around 4 years old, we were living in Sutton Coldfield at the time and I think that there must have been a special  Christmas service at a local church for John and Denise's school. I remember sitting in this old church with stained glass windows and listening to the Christmas Carol 'O Little Town of Bethlehem' being sung. We didn't attend a church at that time but this must have made an impression on me and this carol has always remained a favourite.

On Christmas Eve we would lay a pillowcase at the foot of our bed, it was always exciting, wondering when Father Christmas would come and I can remember sometimes waking to check whether the empty pillowcase was still on my bed or whether it was filled, I still have a plastic pillowcase with a picture of Father Christmas on it which I used. In the morning we would carry our filled pillowcases to the living room and open our presents under the Christmas tree. When we lived in Scotland we had a silver Christmas tree with fuchsia pink ribbons and coloured lights (very retro).

When I was about 8 my Mum began a new Christmas tradition, after our traditional Christmas dinner of turkey and roast potatoes etc. followed by a real Christmas plum pudding with hidden coins, which I think where put in the pudding to encourage the children to eat them, and the Christmas crackers with party hat and joke. A small self made snowman would be set on the table. This little snowman, which was a large jar covered in cotton wool with a removable head, sometimes Mum used a white balloon with a face drawn on, which would be popped when the meal was over. The snowman was filled with little presents for everyone, even though we had been spoilt rotten by Father Christmas this little present after dinner was always looked forward to by me, infact I still possess one of these presents, a little plastic clip purse.

I have carried on this tradition with my own children and grandchildren and even though it is sometimes difficult to find presents small enough to fit in the snowman's body it is still a much appreciated tradition. 

Underneath are some photos of my Christmas memories- my pillowcase and snowman gift and a film of Christmas 1972 when we were living in California.