Christmas memories

[sophisticatedsarcasm]

Was just flicking through the Christmas radio times, noticed they have a lot of good movies this year as opposed to the last few. It reminded me of when I used to finish school and spent the days with my Nan and grandad because my mum and dad worked. Used to go shopping for the Christmas dinner and literally spend the rest of the time watching movies. No worries, no work just chilling. The only thing that went through your mind was wether you were gonna get that toy you wanted.

What were your favourite Christmas memories in the run up to Christmas as a child?

I say this every year but I remember walking home on a cold, frosty Christmas Eve from my gran's. Like you, my mum worked full time and I went to my nan's after school (she had the tiniest Christmas tree but some of those amazing Cinderella coach lights). I just remember skipping home so damn happy to be alive, 6 and it to be Christmas Eve.
That was the year I woke up to find doll sized wardrobe, cot and chest of drawers, made during the autumn by my grandad. My Mum bought me the pram and dolls and had Marjorie up the road knit loads of clothes for the dolls.
Looking back, the only thing that had been bought was the pram and dolls. Everything else handmade. But it was the best Christmas ever.

Not much about the actual day (except the year I got a Sindy caravan) but the build up, mum coming home with shopping bags, excitement on Christmas Eve in bed with my sister, putting up the dodgy foil decorations. Wanting to eat the orange and lemon jelly slices.
I’m much more in to it than my parents were, think my two will have more memories (I hope)
Probably not, after all that effort.

I was just talking to people at work recently and saying how I remember ITV used to put on a televised panto every year (back in the 90's, and my cousins and I couldn't wait to watch it every time... I think most of the actors were soap stars and C listers (at best), but we loved it every year.

Also, I was 8 when I stopped believing in Father Christmas, so my DM let me stay up late Christmas Eve to help wrap the gifts for my little DSis, and this kind of became a tradition of ours for many years after... as I got older DM had a few more daughters and every year just I'd help her wrap all the gifts for everybody Xmas eve, whilst everyone else slept... it only actually stopped the year I had my own child 4 yrs ago, by which time I was 25 ... I still actually miss our little yearly tradition but I stay at my own house Xmas eve night now and prepare everything for my DS.