Seventies child here. I remember there being a whole sequence of events to look forward to.
At primary school we'd start rehearsals for the school nativity and carol service. There would be craft sessions to make table decorations and calendars. Lots of blu tack, tinsel and sprayed pasta shapes. There was also a toy swap morning where kids brought in unwanted toys to swap.
There was a post box in the lobby and every day one of the teachers would come around dropping off cards. It was a small village school and everyone sent cards to all their class mates plus the teachers , caretaker cooks and dinner ladies.
The last few days before break up was hectic. There was always a school party with a disco and games and a buffet with salmon paste buns and jam tarts. One of the school lunches was a proper Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.
Everyone brought in games to play the last couple of days and I remember watching cartoons on the projector in the main assembly hall.
The Christmas show was an evening and it was always exciting to be in school in the dark shoeing off to family. Adults had punch and mulled wine and we had hot black currant . The headmaster dressed as Santa and little gifts were given out.
It was a church primary so we'd attend a Kriskringle carol service with our orange and candle. My family were very churchy so I'd attend all the services and invariably had to sing a solo. Not that I could sing that well. There just weren't many congregants.
On the Sunday before Christmas there'd be mince pies in church after the service. When I was older we were allowed to join the carol singers. The best evening was the farms and outlying houses. Lots of walking but there was always an invite in for cake and treats. Grown ups were usually pissed by the end and went to the pub.
There were other village events too although I guess we probably only went some years. A pie and peas barn dance, the rotary kids party, the village players panto.
The lead up to Christmas was busy. We only had a small artificial tree that was a little battered but it was a real treat to decorate. We had our own section of wall to stick up our cards. Lights were always going off. Only one set of course.
We only had one tv but one Christmas mum rented a Betamax video for two weeks from rumbelows. It was the best thing ever. We looked forward to the radio and tv times special Christmas editions and circled the films we wanted to see.
The fridge started filling up with Christmas stuff. Blue cheese, brandy butter. Bowls of nuts. ,marzipan dates and for some reason Bombay mix appeared although we weren't allowed them till Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve itself was board games and cards. No telly. When we were older we went to midnight mass with my granny and great aunts. We had pillow cases as stockings and always left a carrot and a mince pie out.
Christmas Day was an early start always at home with my widowed granny staying. We did stockings in my mums bed. Then the family presents under the tree after a cooked breakfast that always included fried tinned potatoes. My favourite
Mums friends and the neighbours popped in for a Sherry or baby Cham throughout the day. We ate late after the queens speech which meant I always missed the Bond movie. I guess dinner was fairly traditional although I always preferred the cold turkey and bread sauce butties later on.
I remember the period after Christmas Day as been lots of house visits with cold buffets, Christmas cake always with Wensleydale and lots of walks.
Sorry for the long post. I'm sure no ones going to read it lol. But gave me pleasure to recall such memories