CHRISTMAS PAST

Well, Christmas is nearly here again. I'm too old to talk about father Christmas and all that, but I am old enough to remember many Christmas days that were a lot different than nowadays. When I was a lad, Christmas day was a real family affair. My father would appear home from work two days before the 25th with a Xmas tree loaded on top of his bicycle. My sisters and mother would spend a couple of days decorating it with nice lights and chocolate coins. The smell of the tree is something I always remember. I also remember the mixed smashing smell from the kitchen all week as cakes, Christmas pudding (with a sixpence buried in it) and jellies were turned out in one long production line. My father and I were given a warning - pinch anything, and you go without pickled onions and red cabbage (our fav with salads and cheese). Pickling went on all year as well as father's winemaking - parsnip wine was the best. One glass, and I spent all night giggling. We were only allowed one at Christmas unless mother wasn't watching. The day started with sitting under a blanket and opening the Christmas stocking, which always contained a small torch, bag of sweets, a tangerine, and a small game. We all had a couple of presents downstairs and made a mess with wrapping paper amid screams of delight and lots of laughter. Later just before lunchtime, our uncles and aunts and grandparents would arrive carrying more food and drink. Twelve of us would sit around a long table and enjoy dinner until we burst. After, as the women washed up and gossiped in the kitchen and the men sank into armchairs and snored, my sisters and I would open presents bought by the rest of the family. The evening was a light tea followed by games we played all night. By the time our relations went home, we were half asleep but went to bed excited and looking forward to Boxing Day and a family cricket match on the green outside our house.

So what of today. Children still get excited, and Christmas dinner is still enjoyed. Unfortunately, the best part of Christmas has been lost. Family is what makes Christmas for me, but today with TV, video games, mum queuing up for store sales on the 26th and dad working through - we have lost those magical moments and the warmth of love from all those around us - perhaps family we don't see from one year to the next. It is a sad reflection on the pace of life and the need for more and more money for those struggling to meet mortgage payments and put food on the table. This Christmas I am spending with neighbours, and when I curl up (full of gin), I will fall asleep with a smile remembering all my yesterdays.

Goodnight all.