Christmas.........

As a child growing up in War time Belfast and shortly thereafter, Christmas was very simple. There wasn't a lot of money, sweets were rationed. BUT..... what has that to do with anything?

I would hang up my stocking, an ankle sock and ultimately search everywhere for it next morning. It seems like I did always receive a new doll because I remember the smell of it, and while my Mother cooked a fine dinner my Dad took my two brothers and me for a walk. We always ate brussels sprouts for dinner so I associate this veggie with Christmas. The big shops had a Santa's Workshop and for a small charge we would get on a "sleigh" and ride through the toy department made to look like the North Pole. "It's a Small World" at D'land always "reminds" me of this activity. Anyway, at the end of the ride we met Santa, I guess made a request and received a gift. Thus the "small charge".

I remember when I was about 8 receiving a scooter. As I remember it was a BIG scooter but I realize my eight year old size made it seem big, but it did hold both of us kids. Anyway, the neighbour kids and my brother Joe and I would go to the end of the street where there was a "hill" and we would ride our various toys down this hill. What joy, what a grand time as my brother stood behind me and did the necessary work to mobilize the scooter and both of us "sailed" down the hill. :o)

My Mother was a great cook and laboured hard to fix a traditional Christmas dinner complete with Christmas pudding and even managed to set fire to it as you have seen in "A Christmas Carol" with Alistair Sim. We always went to the Pantomime, and sometimes the Circus. So for me there were not a lot of gifts maybe one or two small ones, but the excitement of "once a year" treats were to be anticipated.

We also went "round" the Christmas Tree at City Hall. I'm talking a LOT of years ago and lights were very minimal. But there were always crowds of people and Christmas music and it was wonderful.

When I was ten years old we moved to East Belfast and a nicer neighbourhood, I don't remember getting many gifts after turning about twelve. Maybe a pair of slippers and a box of chocolates. A small box.

As as teenager 14?15? I used to go to dance studios to learn ballroom dancing, my Mother encouraged this as she felt this was an important skill to have. So now Christmas took on a new additional form of entertainment.

My Mother died when I was 15 and Christmases didn't hold much joy for a few years.

But happier times did return, so watch this space.