This picture reminded me of childhood Christmases.
For days we would settle down to making Christmas decorations, paper chains to hang, star cut-outs for the windows, tinsel shapes for the tree. Our table was full of little bits of greenery, wooden cotton reels, walnut shells....(with a toothpick mast and paper sail, they were hung on the tree as the three ships)
The cotton reels were painted red and branches of fir stuck in them to make mini Christmas trees.
The excitement grew when we were allowed to have sparkly shiny bits to stick on...this was before the days of aerosols.
Certain smells remain with me that immediately create my childhood Christmas.
The newly cut aromatic pine branches of the tree.
The scent of tangerines only available at that time of year.
The glass of sherry drunk by the adults.
And the smells from the kitchen of sage and onion as Grandma made the turkey stuffing.
We had huge knitted stockings, I think they must have been from a fisherman, and they were hung near the fireplace on Christmas Eve.
In the morning their shapes had changed, and knobbly things were pushing their way out of the tops.
We spent very little on things, this being not long after the end of the war. Decorations were made. presents were made, food was cooked from scratch.
We played games together, there being no television.
We sang carols around the piano while my Aunty played.
I think we were all the better for the simplicity.
(I read today that 297 people have booked tables at Claridges for a Christmas meal, costing £225 per person.
There are no words.)
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