Christmas was a happy time on the farm. Trekking through the woods, chopping down the perfect tree. Dragging it home and decorating with colorful lights, hand-crafted ornaments, candy canes, popcorn strings, paper chains, and tinsel hung like icicles. The Star topped our masterpiece.
Christmas Eve candlelight services were a beautiful, moving occasion to reflect on the reason for the season. Then home for hot chocolate and cookies before bed, anxiously anticipating Santa.
Christmas morning, up early eager to see what lie under the tree. With presents beautifully wrapped, we always found, tucked in our stocking’s toe — an orange.
99 Word Challenge from Carrot Ranch, Dec 3rd – Traditions
My parents were simple folks – hard working, probably poor in the monetary sense, deeply religious and committed to their family. Mom was one of 9 and Dad one of 4. The families were big and we would visit both for Christmas in one day, meal one with Mom’s family and meal two with Dad’s. Everybody would be there. I remember Christmas being about family and food — it was such fun.
Miss Judy Writes 
Are you sure that’s not 1970s? I recognize those traditions.
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It was probably 60’s. I was remembering when I was about 10 or 12 – late 59’s early 60’s.
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What a rich tradition full of warm memories. You bring it all home with the orange in the toe of the sock.
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Thanks Charli. It was nice remembering those days so long ago.
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I remember the orange in the toe of the Christmas stocking. We’d also find a few nuts in there, as well a shinney new sixpence (if we’d been especially good that year).
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Yes, always nuts. Thanks for commenting.
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A lovely story that made my day. Thanks for sharing those great memories. ❤
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Thank you! You have made mine.
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Pingback: A 1950’s Christmas – Throwback Thursday – Miss Judy Writes
My dad was born in 1950 and is the youngest of 7 so I recognise some of this from his stories, he told me my grandad always bought him a toy soldier every year to add to his set and an orange as well (although I think when he was very young there was still rationing in the UK of these so I think that was when he was a bit older).
He also used to have a fair few hand me down things from my uncles and aunties growing up as well.
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Oranges were hard to come by in the US as well. Some how my mom found a way. We got hard candies too; they were a real treat. Mom also was a very good seamstress and taught us, so we had new clothes – Lucky for us. Thanks for commenting, Michael.
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