Christmas Eve once we left Arizona and came to Victoria, was always spent at Grandmas ( of course Grandpa was there also for many many years) . Some years Uncle Alan and Auntie Sally came down with cousins Sheila, Janet, Terry and Ronnie.. so I was a real family gathering.. because every year without fail.. Auntie Adele, Uncle Chris, Kara and Hil were there…
Goodies at Grandmas was a cold spread, where we made our own ham sandwiches, had the treat of orange soda pop, and certainly grandmas shortbread with the cherry centers.. the pickles, usually two varieties, . Chips and Dip came into vogue late 60's so that became a Christmas Eve Staple..! Grandma being a cool up to date as best she could Grandma.. ……made sure there was lots of dip.
Wooden bowl with nuts an d nut crackers were to one side of the chip bowl. And a brass bowl of ''Jap'' oranges on the other.. warm mince tarts always, and Never forgotten, was the dish of licorice allsorts !
Often in the early days, grand children would take turns performing… reciting or singing.. or even a dance or two… sometimes we would actually do a repeat performance of a skit or play that had been done on the church stage earlier.
Then it was time for the gifts.. a gift for everyone from Grandma ….and from Auntie Adele.. Grandma was usually on the practical side,( except for the year that she bought nova an e.t. toy thinking it was the cool Christmas toy of the year.. not knowing that e t had terrified nova in the film… ( a film that Grandma later said she didn't think was suitable as it scared so many children ).
Adele's gifts were the strawberry shortcake or the superman lunch bucket or ??? that cool and current toy or item…always…….. until that magical year !
Well.. actually the year of the de- magic – ing. When each Childs'' 12th year came around it was the beginning of Christmas socks or tie or gloves or panties.. ! something that was more of a token…I believe this co insided with the year that Hil and Kara moved into the teens..!
After the party at Grandmas, we bundled up and went home to Chaucer or Haultain for pajamas , a little tree time and the begging to open ''just one gift puleeeez"". The wish was always granted. And then great effort to calm everyone and herd them to climb the wooden hill and in to bed to listen to the Christmas Record! The Story of Toyland… with the HO HO HO.
It was often very late before the last child was settled down and Santa could get to work. After Grandpa passed away, Christmas still carried on on Lulie Street..
Then when Grandma moved into Oak Bay Lodge, Christmas eve just moved with her…We all visited her there.. After she passed away Christmas eve came to Haultain for the before and after party ! Auntie Adele, Uncle Chris, Kara and Hil of course followed..
Then the move to Texas.. I don't know what happened to Adele's family, John, Jim, Jill and channa would have to make their own tradition ! (Please let me know what you did ) . With Nova, sparky, Paige and Eden.. we now had a Texas Christmas… party party party our house was the party house…
By the time we came back from Texas.. everyone had their own Christmas..except Eden…… and by now much water (or snow) under the bridge has happened and everyone has carried on some of the family traditions ( Evie shortbread eggnog stocking on the end of the bed ) etc) and . blended traditions with the spousal families.
A lot of love and effort goes into making their own Merry Christmas.. Christmas eve at grandmas is but a long memory… Thank you Grandma and Grandpa..
Please don't hesitate to share your memories of Christmas Eve at Grandma's
And tell of your Christmas Eves now… Love Mum.
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