Awww...my favourite time of year again!
There's no mistaking that you are wearing your slippers in this photo Rob! I remember that pouffe too, and the lamp under the table.
One year you made a snow scene Rob, it had a mirror for a pond with an ice skater on it, and a snowman and tree...I thought it was brilliant!
We actually had a real tree every year which I'd forgotten, and it looks stunning here. The lights which we had for years were glass fruits - not sure how they were festive, but they were lovely. Think they were frosted too - perhaps that was the Christmas/season connection. Dad always kept all the packaging, and every bauble, string of lights and decoration was carefully packed away in it's original box or packet....except the balloons!! We made paper chains each year too as they can't be packed away without being squashed!
The tree probably was only bought very near to Christmas day, possibly even Christmas Eve, which was always exciting, and Dad would also pick up the holly and mistletoe from the greengrocer. I loved the tree chocolates, in particular the stripey-papered umbrellas - again, is an umbrella festive?
But Blackler's grotto had to be the highlight of the festivities build-up for me. It was pure magic. It would always snow at Christmas time, and on the Saturday just before Christmas, Mum and Dad would take us all to Liverpool (another country when you're a child!). We'd queue for ages in the snow whilst street sellers would be tempting the kids with toys that the parents didn't want to buy. The grotto itself was simply spectacular , then to finally meet Santa, AND come out with a present from him was just too much! Often it would be dusk as we walked back to the train station, tired and ready for home, but the glistening snowflakes seen through the amber glow from those Liverpool street lamps would seal that magic to a perfect day, and set a magical memory in me forever.
I loved our family Christmases then and I love my family Christmases now...thank you Mum and Dad...and Santa!!!
I think I remember those trips over to Liverpool Anne. I like your description of the lights and snow. What year do you think this christmas is? 1964 or 65? Rob looks so much like Steve doesn’t he.
ReplyDeletemust admit i was really pleased with myself the way the plaster of paris and mirror looked so real and the little ducks etc...we used to bring it out most christmas,s.....
ReplyDeleteDave i was in short pants so i think it was 63 i would be 12...the year before was one of the worst snow in history the village was so deep in snow and spookily quiet....
ReplyDeleteDo you still have that snow scene you made Rob? If you do you should take a photo and put it here on the blog. :)x
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