For the last time this year, I’m dusting off a Christmas memory with Sian.
At Christmas we….
….took old sheets, corrugated cardboard and tinsel….
….a (too large) glittery purple hat….
….and an older cousin’s page boy waistcoat….
….and turned our children into cowboys and angels.
Thanks Sian for bringing back Christmas Club. Same time next year?
It’s time for another edition of Sian’s Christmas Club.
At Christmas we….
….gathered at my Gran’s house for Christmas lunch.* After the washing up had been done and the Queen’s Speech watched, my Uncle would pour a drink for the grown ups and the present opening would commence. My turn to give them out that year, resplendent in crackly green polyester and with only half a head.
At tea time, around the kitchen table, we’d have sandwiches, followed by trifle and Christmas cake. Cousin M’s turn to cut that. I love that her lava lamp, a much longed for gift, is in the picture. My brother’s turn to have half a head.
Back to the living room and we’d be allowed the crackers from the mantel piece and off the tree. I love my Mum’s face in this picture. My brother had clearly had enough of his smart tie by this point. The waste paper basket would be almost overflowing with nut shells by now. Not sure what the game board on the floor is. Anyone?
We’d stay the night and spend the next morning playing with our cousins, before driving on to my other Aunty and Uncle for a Boxing Day lunch. I’d have to wear my Christmas dress again for them, which is why I’m dressed the same and my cousins are not. The mantel piece now free of crackers and oranges, but the chocolate decorations were still on the tree. We’d be given those in the new year when it was taken down.
The composition (and the focus) may not be the greatest, but I’m so happy to have these photos. I haven’t cropped them at all, because I love all the little details that have been captured inadvertently. The stuff that memories are made of.
* I think this was 1977.
PS I’ve been ignoring the Word Verification that has appeared on a lot of blogs recently. I write my comment and hit publish, without filling the numbers in the box. Seems to work for me.
I didn’t have a blog of my own, when Sian hosted the Christmas Club, back in December 2010. I’ve shared some Festive memories here previously though, so I had a quick trawl through the archives to make sure I didn’t repeat myself. Then I saw this post from December 2011 and I knew that I wanted to repeat myself!
At Christmas we….
….put on a show. Here I am, circa 1976, playing the cat in The Four Musicians of Bremen. How I loved to be on the stage. It was my absolute favourite thing about Christmas, throughout my primary school years. From Snow White’s wicked stepmother, through Saint George and Mary, to Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat, I loved every single part I got the chance to play.
My little brother wasn’t quite so keen. Here he is playing one of the “Two Little Dickie Birds” from the rhyme. Whether he was Peter or Paul, I can no longer recall, but I do remember that he didn’t want to wear the red tights. They were mine and he had to fold the feet over inside his daps, because the legs were much too long.
Thank you Sian for bringing back the Christmas Club and giving me the chance to join in this time around.
PS There are different photos and more of a story in the other post, if you missed it.
