This thread has made me so teary, it’s passing of time with wonderful memories with loved ones still here and some sadly not…
I also agree that mums are the true magic makers of Christmas.
Some memories that stick out for me, the annual police childrens party (my dad was a copper) thin white party tights with with snowflakes on them, a puff ball skirt with netting underneath that my mum would make every year, seeing piles and piles of different shaped presents and Santa always giving me a tea set, I could never understand why he didn’t remember that’s what I always got, jelly and ice cream and little red plastic bowler shaped hats with elastic that cut into your chin.
The round table’s Santa sleigh that would go round my mum and dads friends road every year. I remember thinking the loud Christmas music, flashing light and glowing Rudolph was the most magical thing I’d ever seen….
The feeling in the air from late November when you could almost feel the excitement of December and Christmas start to build. It felt much colder then (80’s child) and the sky late afternoon was just magical, I do remember the weeks feel excruciatingly long when I was a child, unlike being a parent now and September to Christmas Eve going in the blink of an eye.
The Harry Secombe Christmas Album, especially “That’s what I’d like for Christmas” my lovely dad still phones me up and plays it down the phone when my parents put the tree up.
Going with my Dad to pick the big box of parcels up the RM train from my grandparents on Christmas Eve, being allowed to put them under the tree and one feel.
Going out carol singing with my riding school the ponies draped in tinsel, collecting money for charity, mulled wine and hot chocolate on return.
My mum getting all teary listening to Coventry Carol when the tree lights were switch on.
My Dad taking an age on Christmas morning to check if “he’s been” and finally being allowed into a room which felt absolutely fell of magic, the chewed carrot from Rudolf, the sacks of presents, the carols, candles everywhere..
My Gran sitting folding every sheet of wrapping paper on Christmas morning and in turn my mum now doing the same thing.
The pasting table coming out for all us children to have our Christmas dinner on. The laughter and cheer of all family members together, the delicious smells, the once a year treats, wine flowing…just full of magic.