GHOSTS OF CHRISTMAS PAST
I have a forever picture in my mind of my Mother on a little step stool, wearing what she called a housedress, decorating the REAL tree -- not artificial or fiber optics. Daddy did the fetching and "heavy" lifting -- and some whistling and singing while he worked. He had a crooner's voice and sounded a lot like Bing Crosby when he sang White Christmas.
I recall those huge colored lights and the endless game of switching the bulbs around to make sure they alternated and weren't 2 reds or 3 greens all in a bunch or row; always making sure there was a clear white one at the top -- the white bulb was the star in the angel topper!
We didn't make paper or popcorn chains like some folks -- but my mother made batches of stuff out of soap and judiciously placed it on the branches and when it dried the tree was covered with "snow"! (Hand-flocked) Later you could buy stuff in a spray can to do this -- or even buy trees already "flocked" -- but we never did!
We all decided where to hang each of the multi-shaped and colored ornaments -- no monochromatic -- except for a remembered overabundance of pink -- my mother's favorite color; we all placed the silver tinsel, just so, strand by strand.
The Manger scene was beneath the tree and had to be placed close to it. This was so another white bulb could shine through the star-shaped cut-out in the stable roof -- the cut-out was right under where the ceramic angel with the little drapery-hook style pin hovered -- and so the wise men had plenty of room to be walking as they followed the star and shepherds could kneel to adore the Holy Babe as the sheep looked on!
Also under the tree were "The Town" -- with angel hair ("Be careful!") snow covered ground and a mirror ice-skating pond; a little dog beside it watched the skaters. (He changed viewing positions frequently throughout the season :) I can still see the little trees in the town! They weren't store bought artificial; my mother picked up pine cones while we were in Wisconsin on "vacation" and she brought them home and turned them into hand painted trees -- some green, some brown, most with white tipped branches.
Oddly, I don't remember presents except the ones that really weren't "toys". (Maybe there wasn't room under the tree? :) My dad worked 2-3 jobs and brought home colored boxes and pictures and gears and things that magically became toys when we played with them!
I do remember getting books and pajamas, though :o)
On Christmas Eve we went to Little Grandma's (the Italian one) where I would sneak pieces of honey-topped fried bread dough. Didn't matter to me if I spoiled my appetite for the traditionally meatless Christmas Eve meal, and tomorrow there'd be ravioli anyway. Then, I'd nap while the uncles had wine and loud "discussions". Then Midnight Mass and being too warm in church since it was always standing room only so you had to either wear your coat or be further scrunched holding it.
I've gone on too long for tonight. Enough!
Merry Christmas and may you and yours be making happy holiday memories to keep!