Christmas memories

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I have gone quite mad the last few weeks. Have made 5 poppy seed rolls, at least 7 dozen mince tarts, 2 dozen butter tarts, 3 dozen banana choc chip muffins, 2 large batches ginger cookies 1 large batch german vanilla shortbreads with almond flour.
 
For a while in high school and uni my best friend had Christmas Eve get togethers at his place (his parents were down with it and enthusiastically participated when he was home, later it was at his own place in Toronto). Lots of good food, a bowl of homemade nog, gift exchanges (including single malt Scotches). Introducing girlfriends/future spouses when the time came. He also did good Halloween parties (still does, I hear, but I haven't been in a while).
 
When i was a young girl, I received Flintstone building blocks for Christmas.
I also received Chatty Cathy that year, so likely 1962, and i would have been 4.

"Santa" made them into a house, like shown in the image, but, having received Chatty Cathy, I wanted to have a tea party, and dismantled them to make a table & chairs.

Lol, as an adult, I reflect on my Dad's dismay having spent time putting together that house, and then having to help build a table.

ps. have you ever heard styrofoam squeek when rubbed together? that is what it sounded like workign with those blocks.
pps. there were little bits of styrofoam everywhere!


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I have gone quite mad the last few weeks. Have made 5 poppy seed rolls, at least 7 dozen mince tarts, 2 dozen butter tarts, 3 dozen banana choc chip muffins, 2 large batches ginger cookies 1 large batch german vanilla shortbreads with almond flour.
Such a busy bee. I have some seasonal stuff in the freezer waiting for the right day. It is looking like we will have a quiet day for the two of us. Younger folk going to the other side of their family or having to go to work. The Alberta branch hope to join us but are battling revolving flu events.
 
I got my scrapbooking book out , and left it for the grandkids to look through it. They are of an age that they enjoy asking who are these people, and of course, it is a great way to share memories of Christmas's long past.

the reason that i had it out, was i realized a photo of my mom is not in my fb albums. It is of her, with the table all set, ready for the onslaught. She would often be quietly busy on the main floor, whilst mayhem went on in the family room below.

I know that my idea of Christmas is based on my memories of her and her prep.
I have tried to lighten the load and my own expectations, and not pass them on to the next generation.

It was Mom's sacrifice that made our christmas' magical
 
Yes, in the past it was usually our moms’ work that made it possible for us to have magical Christmases as kids. Dads did some of the work (paying for gifts, putting up lights) - but it has traditionally been moms being under-appreciated, and all the credit going to a big fat old white guy lol. …did anybody think of putting out anything for the reindeer? They didn’t even get fed for their hard work, poor things! ;)
 
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Reindeer get lichens ... similar to metaphors of vegetation ... and many do vegetate and not do much!

Lichens are products of cold north climates ... kohl process?
 
When I was a teen at some point, Christmas with family wasn’t cool, so after the early gift giving I went with friends to the movie theatre, which was six theatres in one building and they would play four movies each one after the other in all six. The entrance fee was good for all and you could go from one theatre to the other until the early morning hours….
 
I'm not sure I was ever really a teen. I think I skipped that phase. Always with family over holidays, always away from school friends for Christmas camp, didn't really fit in with the other racers, either, so few invites to friends' places or to go anywhere with them.
 
I remember Christmas being a time to go and see movies at the theatre with family.

Actually, I was looking for Christmas things to do over the past couple of weeks and the Muppet Christmas Carol was playing in a theatre that serves alcohol for the late show, 19+ only, and it was sold out. The afternoon show had seats left but I figured it would be families with kids, noisy, and didn’t feel like going. But that’s something we did when I was a kid.

I also remember going to see the Nutcracker ballet with my friend and her mom. One of the same kids who had Hanukkah and Christmas. And to see the Sound of Music, live. Another friend was one of the kids in the play at a big live theatre one year.

And I remember watching Christmas specials on TV being a family event.
 
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And I remember watching Christmas specials on TV being a family event.
Yeah, Rudolph, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, and few others were standard TV fare for us. Rudolph was probably my favourite, oddly because I was (and still am) a Bumble fan.

Abominable Snowman Yeti GIF by MOODMAN
 
I want to see the Muppet Christmas Carol, streaming, if I can. Micheal Caine was good in it. It’s a fun movie.

I’m feeling a bit glum this year. I was trying to kick myself into Christmas gear but wasn’t successful. Going to a family gathering this afternoon but I feel like staying in and reading a book and/ or watching movies. It’s cold and rainy. Fond memories aren’t matching my energy level. But they’re still nice memories.
 
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As a child I put out a sausage roll and a drink for Father Christmas. Nothing special for the reindeer. Mu kids put out carrots, hay and oatmeal in addition to the treats for Santa.
 
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