there were too many of us, even as teens we got stuck in the front room on a card table
with a magic marker ... checking toys off
every roll but the fruit flavors
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When you were a kid...
- Thread starter vraiblonde
- Start date
there were too many of us, even as teens we got stuck in the front room on a card table
with a magic marker ... checking toys off
every roll but the fruit flavors
Probably this ......
the tree did not go up until Christmas Eve ....
so it was a big deal, turn the lights out and watch the different colors flashing off the ceiling
the year my dad passed away [in Nov] we took the train to Grandma's house so that was interesting ..... leaving Union Station in DC and getting off track side in the dark in an exposed platform
step right down into the snow
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mitzi
Well-Known Member
Anyone remember the Life Savers candy "books"? I was probably the only kid in America who actually liked those and looked forward to them.
I loved those and got one every year. I carried on the tradition and got both my kids one every year. I saw them in Rite Aid the other day and they sure aren't the same. I should have bought myself one for old time's sake.
Cali Transplant
Have boat will travel
kom526
They call me ... Sarcasmo
Helping my Nana make stuffed ham. Serving midnight mass with my brother. Now it's making stuffed for the family using my great grandmothers and the LW's G-Grandma's recipes, sitting in the LR with just the Christmas lights on and a drink in my hand. Listening to my oldest play violin during Mass in Christmas Eve.
Hey chicka! Sounds like you are all doing great! Glad to hear you are all so happy.
The holiday was good. My family as all out of town, so I went over to a co-workers who like to take in holiday strays (former Navy) and had a good day with them. I spend most of my time either at work or at home, but I was out ALL day today. Nice change up!
No idea when I'll get down there for a visit, but I do hope to do so eventually!
LightRoasted
If I may ...
If I may ...
You know, mAlice, the professional daydreamer from Wonderland, my "If I may ..." started as a funny thing to do, and, has just become a kinda permanent thing. Similar to your avatar titles, I write mine out each time. But when I say it IRL, I do so with a snobbish and high brow English accent. Just kidding. I don't say it out in public. Don't know why it bothers you. Of all the twisted things being written in these forums, you need to pick on something I've been doing for nearly two years. It means nothing. Insinuates nothing. It's just fun for me to do each time I post. And there have been many times I've nearly forgotten to use it before I hit the "post" button. I think there might have been one or two times in which I posted where I forgot, but noticed immediately and then a quick edit. So now it's become a quirk of mine. Apologizes if it offends you, or others. But I am not ready to stop doing it. So if you really have to "iggy" me, well, go ahead. But you know, if you do that, you just might miss out on some that awesome, thoughtful, and insightful commentary of mine. And you don't want to miss that, do you? Have a very Merry Christmas.
Why is everybody picking on me?
[video=youtube;AbBr2bgAbcM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBr2bgAbcM[/video]
You know, mAlice, the professional daydreamer from Wonderland, my "If I may ..." started as a funny thing to do, and, has just become a kinda permanent thing. Similar to your avatar titles, I write mine out each time. But when I say it IRL, I do so with a snobbish and high brow English accent. Just kidding. I don't say it out in public. Don't know why it bothers you. Of all the twisted things being written in these forums, you need to pick on something I've been doing for nearly two years. It means nothing. Insinuates nothing. It's just fun for me to do each time I post. And there have been many times I've nearly forgotten to use it before I hit the "post" button. I think there might have been one or two times in which I posted where I forgot, but noticed immediately and then a quick edit. So now it's become a quirk of mine. Apologizes if it offends you, or others. But I am not ready to stop doing it. So if you really have to "iggy" me, well, go ahead. But you know, if you do that, you just might miss out on some that awesome, thoughtful, and insightful commentary of mine. And you don't want to miss that, do you? Have a very Merry Christmas.
Why is everybody picking on me?
[video=youtube;AbBr2bgAbcM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbBr2bgAbcM[/video]
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Bann
Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
We were also military, so my favorite Christmas memories include all the YUM Italian treats we would get. I was young, when I lived there, so I remember the cakes, the pastries, the candies. They had awesome chocolate candy. Since I was young, I don't remember all the names of them, though. 
They didn't celebrate Christmas on Dec 25th, of course, they celebrated Epiphany on January 6, and for those years we lived there, we had the best of both worlds. 
Home was whereever we lived at the time, so we did adopt traditions from other places along the way. (Stuffed ham, oyster dishes,etc.)
We had no TV over there - but we had awesome Christmas music, which they played a LOT during the holidays. All the greats: Bing Crosby, Jim Reeves, Burl Ives, and others from that time. When I moved out on my own, I even made a cassette tape of all the favorites so I could have them at my own place. Then later, I found a CD from Reader's Digest (Christmas Through the Years) which I played when I had Thing1 and then later, Thing 2. We always played them while we decorated the tree and around the holidays, especially on Christmas eve. My absolute favorite Christmas Carol is O Holy Night. I love that song and have it by many different artists.
My mother used to make Christmas "bars" (not cookies) and also fudge and divinity - both of which I loved and I cannot seem to duplicate myself. I mean, I have the recipes, but apparently, I lack the patience and finesse for candy-making. MY thing is cookies. Not necessarily decorated Christmas cookies, although I have done those. No, when I became the cookie baker, I made my all my dad's favorites: peanut butter, chocolate chip and a few other assorted cookies through the years have rotated in and out of favor. My boys love the "no bake" snacks. Foxhound likes Oatmeal Raisin.
We also used to get the Sears & Roebuck catalog overseas. Hours and hours were spent looking through it! And we loved the Lifesavers candy books - definitely a stocking stuffer of ours.
They didn't celebrate Christmas on Dec 25th, of course, they celebrated Epiphany on January 6, and for those years we lived there, we had the best of both worlds. Home was whereever we lived at the time, so we did adopt traditions from other places along the way. (Stuffed ham, oyster dishes,etc.) We had no TV over there - but we had awesome Christmas music, which they played a LOT during the holidays. All the greats: Bing Crosby, Jim Reeves, Burl Ives, and others from that time. When I moved out on my own, I even made a cassette tape of all the favorites so I could have them at my own place. Then later, I found a CD from Reader's Digest (Christmas Through the Years) which I played when I had Thing1 and then later, Thing 2. We always played them while we decorated the tree and around the holidays, especially on Christmas eve. My absolute favorite Christmas Carol is O Holy Night. I love that song and have it by many different artists.
My mother used to make Christmas "bars" (not cookies) and also fudge and divinity - both of which I loved and I cannot seem to duplicate myself. I mean, I have the recipes, but apparently, I lack the patience and finesse for candy-making.
MY thing is cookies. Not necessarily decorated Christmas cookies, although I have done those. No, when I became the cookie baker, I made my all my dad's favorites: peanut butter, chocolate chip and a few other assorted cookies through the years have rotated in and out of favor. My boys love the "no bake" snacks. Foxhound likes Oatmeal Raisin. We also used to get the Sears & Roebuck catalog overseas. Hours and hours were spent looking through it! And we loved the Lifesavers candy books - definitely a stocking stuffer of ours.
Sleeping in my brothers room trying to stay awake to hear Santa land on the roof, talking about what we hoped Santa would bring us. Then running downstairs first thing in the morning to see if the cookies and milk were gone.
My nephews are just about at that age where they won't be believing in Santa much longer and it's breaking my heart.
My nephews are just about at that age where they won't be believing in Santa much longer and it's breaking my heart.
littlelady
God bless the USA
I love your story. I forgot about all that. Thanks. I know what you mean about the getting too old for Santa. I have a Christmas pillow that I love that says 'Believe'. I take that sentiment to heart all year round. My first grandchild will experience her first Christmas at 11 months old. The magic will begin again!
Merry Christmas, Inkd. You have always been one of my favorite members here.
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SamSpade
Well-Known Member
1. Mainly, the anticipation at the foot of the stairs while my parents went down to "light up the tree".
2. The all day playing of Christmas music. Now, of course, it plays non-stop starting at Thanksgiving, but back then it was unusual.
3. The rush as you FIRST saw the presents and toys under the tree. And thinking it got there by *magic*.
4. The quiet after an hour or so when Mom and Dad went back to bed (why were they so TIRED?) and we all played anyway.
5. Crumbling bread with dad to make stuffing for the turkey.
6. The night before, when we sat around the tree in the dark and sang songs and my dad - who had the worst singing voice ever heard on the planet - would sing the only time we'd ever hear him.
2. The all day playing of Christmas music. Now, of course, it plays non-stop starting at Thanksgiving, but back then it was unusual.
3. The rush as you FIRST saw the presents and toys under the tree. And thinking it got there by *magic*.
4. The quiet after an hour or so when Mom and Dad went back to bed (why were they so TIRED?) and we all played anyway.
5. Crumbling bread with dad to make stuffing for the turkey.
6. The night before, when we sat around the tree in the dark and sang songs and my dad - who had the worst singing voice ever heard on the planet - would sing the only time we'd ever hear him.
Bann
Doris Day meets Lady Gaga
I remember the year I knew Santa was not real. My dad had written a note from Santa and placed it on the door to our living room. It said for ME to wake our parents up first before going in.
My dad was left-handed and had very distinct handwriting, so... yeah. I knew it was his writing. I was probably in 3rd grade, so about 8 years old.
My dad was left-handed and had very distinct handwriting, so... yeah. I knew it was his writing.
I was probably in 3rd grade, so about 8 years old.My mother is from Houtzdale. Lots of fond memories of visiting my grandmother, just not on Christmas.
HeavyChevy75
Podunk FL
My brother's and I would also....we had so many things on our wish list it was unreal. lol
Every year we would be allowed to open ONE present Christmas eve that mom and dad had selected. Usually it was new pajama lol. We would go to the candle light service at church and at the end everyone would get out of their seats and make a big circle around the pews. The candles would be lit and everyone would sing. It was beautiful. Also usually my older brother would almost always puke when we got home from the excitement of Christmas.
No one was allowed to open presents until everyone was out of bed. So the lazy brother who like to sleep would get dragged out of bed by one of us. Everyone would open stockings first and the present opening was very organized. Dad would hand them out. We all had equal amount of $$ spent but sometimes one would get more presents because of the cost of them.
Pre-Christmas traditions - baking tons of cookies with mom. Driving around looking at the Christmas lights.
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I love your story. I forgot about all that. Thanks. I know what you mean about the getting too old for Santa. I have a Christmas pillow that I love that says 'Believe'. I take that sentiment to heart all year round. My first grandchild will experience her first Christmas at 11 months old. The magic will begin again!
Merry Christmas, Inkd. You have always been one of my favorite members here.
Merry Christmas to you as well.
