Like most people; I love Christmas.
I like the food, the conviviality, and seeing the children so excited. My only seasonal moan is that it all starts too early. I really do think we should stick to the traditional 12 days of Christmas; 12 days of festivities is enough.
Christmas, for me, wouldn't be the same without the smell of roasting Turkey, baking mince pies, and the aroma of cinnamon scented hot spiced wine (Glögg).
But mostly it's a time for remembering times past. It's when I think back to when I was small, and the effort that my mother put into making every Christmas wonderful. Mother was always a little 'over the top'; we had far too many presents, far too big a Turkey, and far too much excitement all round.
The more I age, the more I find myself becoming quite emotional about those days in the 1950's. I just wish my people were still here to enjoy the festivities, just as they always had; but with a few extra great-grandchildren around, the one's they never got to meet. I would like them to know that we continue all those family traditions from way back, and the festive table would be exactly as they remembered it. Alas this is not possible.
So I simply think of them instead, and being quite an emotional person, I might ever shed a few private tears as well. I see no harm in this.
I do hope your memories are as happy as mine.
49 comments:
I can't really remember childhood Christmases. They must have been ok, and probably chaotic.
What a lovely post .... you have summed up my Christmas feelings completely. Memories of many happy childhood Christmases and all of those family members now gone. Although it makes us a little sad, we can be so grateful that we have such happy memories., can’t we Cro ? XXXX
My Dad didn't enjoy Christmas but his grumbling became a festive tradition. I miss it.
I'm a 3 days of Christmas person. When my parents were alive it was a period when we did everything we could to get down from Scotland to see them and my brother's family. Our parents have died. My brother still celebrates Christmas in a big way. I'm definitely a Christmas yah boo humbugger.
My Mum didn't enjoy Christmas visitors but then she didn't really enjoy anything but we had a pillowcase of presents with always a pencil and a rubber at the bottom and our next door neighbour always brought an extra present round late morning which was something to look forward to
"far too big a Turkey" .... yup!
Turkey vol-au-vents, turkey sandwiches, turkey Supreme, turkey curries [plural]and a turkey soup that used to last until mid-January at its earliest!!
Oh yes.... I remember it 'ell [w or h, your choice!]
We are having a pintade!!
We moved around too much in my childhood for me to associate Christmas with any particular place. But I do remember one Christmas in Hastings when Toby, the new kitten, climbed the Christmas tree and I disgraced myself by trying out my new magnet on my cousin's new watch.
Lovely post Cro. I too think of my childhood and friends and family no longer with us. This year will be a challenge to feel the joy for many reasons. But, I will be trying my best. Have a great Christmas.
Coming from a big family, 9 children, Christmas was always huge, having 1 bowl of fruit or tin of Quality Street would not have lasted long, my mum always made loads of magic, and yes I agree with you the smells of Christmas lunch and pastries are bliss.
They are indeed Cro and like you I find the tears come more easily. Those mince pies look so good I can almost smell them.
Chaotic is OK.
All my memories of Christmas are good. Not a single bad one.
You have to have at least one grumpy old person; it wouldn't be Christmas without them!
I have a big job to limit it to the 12 days. My wife has been pestering me to cut down the tree for the past week.
You Mum sounds fun. My father never really showed outward signs of enjoying himself, but that was simply his way.
Your mother and mine probably attended the same 'How to make your Turkey last for a month' course.
We were discussing this morning, what we would do if I can't find a Turkey. We talked of Pintade, but eventually decided on a brace of really good Chickens; which we know the boys would like.
I'm sure I will find a Turkey... I won't stop until I track one down.
Oh dear; but a few disasters at Christmas are traditional.
Thanks, we will. We have family with us, with two small grandsons, so I'm sure all will go well.
I really need that smell of roasting Turkey in the house, anything else simply isn't the same.
They were made yesterday (more than in the photo), and most are already gone. It keeps her out of mischief!
One day, far in the future, your own children and great grandchildren that you won't get to meet may be thinking the same thing about you and Lady Magnon. That's a nice thought....the family Christmas chain of love going on in both directions....
A lovely sentiment and well put.
Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Those mince pies look exceedingly good. I have mixed memories of childood Christmasses, some happy, some sad.
That's a nice thought. I hope it comes true.
Thank you Margie. A Happy Christmas to you too.
Luckily all mine are very good. I was fortunate.
I don’t remember one particular Christmas, but remember the feeing around them, my mom trying to make everything wonderful, my dad getting a second job at the post office and getting home at 11 pm most nights during the season, the relatives stopping by all day, a doll for me under the tree, playing with my cousins, and all over joy. We did not have a lot, but we were always surrounded with love.
Money only plays a small part over Christmas, mostly it's a matter of feeling good about everything. A child with a £1,000 present gets no more enjoyment than one with a £10 present.
Making an English sort of Xmas was important to me and now my children and grandchildren love all the traditions , some of which are simply ours and some from childhood. It's a fun time and so far we are doing it all together again this year despite the obstacles
Yes, we shall be cutting no corners. All traditional fare, excess in everything, hangovers, etc.
Lovely post today. I also love Christmas but Polish and Southwestern traditions all mixed in together.
Oh gosh Cro, it must be one of those days, you're the fourth person I've come across that's feeling emotional today, including myself and I too shed a tear or two! Oh well, tomorrow's another day and it'll all be forgotten and hopefully the wind will blow, the rain will keep away and I can get my washing dry at last. (that wasn't what I shed a tear over by the way!) But I could do if it doesn't dry soon....
I love your cherished memories, and (just a little bit) envy the warm feelings they create for you. Our parents over-indulged with gifts, but not with love and affection. They were just unhappy folks....
It is lovely to have your memories to gather around you. Not all of us were so blessed, but the one thing that I know is that I tried my best to provide the 'over the top' Christmases that your mother did.
I like this post.
Cheers to you and yours. Happy Christmas with all the memories, good food and wonderful grandchildren.
Great post Cro. Hope it is a great Christmas that brings warm happy memories in your future.
What lovely memories and sentiment. You're perfectly entitled to sit in a chair in the corner, having a sentimental weep into your gluggy-cups, you're now the Patriarch who can do as he wishes! I'm sure the full circle will come when your descendents will toast you and Lady M, with warm tears and fond memories.
I suppose we are now a mix of English/French/Swedish.
Lady M does mostly manage to get everything dry, but we do occasionally end the day with washing hanging over the fire. I imagine in the 300 year history of this little house, that that has always been the case.
I'd personally prefer the love and affection above fancy presents. All parents have their own ways of expressing themselves.
Good for you Debby. Treasured memories are made of such things
Am I too late to wish you a Happy Hanukah. I hope not.
That's what it's all about! Thank you.
Thanks Doc, and I wish you and yours the same.
That's a lovely idea, and I hope that happens too. I expect all generations are much the same.
We have decided on a pintade this year.... it was rib of beef last year.... I'm thinking Chapon next year.....
We always had goose as mum loved the flavours.
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