Radiorails
master brummie
Memories of Christmas, will of course, depend on the period of time in which you were a child. Christmas was a low key affair in my childhood - food rationing and other shortages saw to that. The families whose husbands/fathers were away in the Armed Forces probably had quite a different time to those who were not combatants and worked in industries or agriculture. I suspect that those at home had opportunities to make or know some one who could make some form of toys; those children of serviceman may have been less fortunate. Larger families often had older, retired members who could turn their hands to making and providing things. Some families had access to their own gardens and/or allotments which provided extras as did those who were able to raise fowl. (Can't raise fowl today in residential areas - people moan about the noise they make ). My own memories are of a scrawny (probably Woolworth) tree which folded up when not in use. I was given coffee to drink (probably Camp), by Nanny and told that drinking too much coffee would darken my skin. I also remember having to queue a couple of times or so at a wine merchants shop to buy a bottle of wine or whatever. The place was only open at certain times and some products I expect were rationed. There were many other things such as fruits, groceries and meats that were in short supply and required joining a queue. The wine shop was close to the Robin Hood island, Hall Green, as I believe it may have been the nearest (even so it was a two or three miles walk away), but on reflection it was not that close to home and maybe Nanny did not want to be seen buying alcohol. Imagine queuing today for bottles of wine etc. She was also particular where she drew her pension money and presumably her allotment, for me, from my soldier father. That was usually at a Post Office in Highgate. At least that gave me the pleasure of looking into Highgate Road bus depot as we passed by. I also got my sweet ration there, it was always a quarter of Dolly Mixtures. The good thing about Dolly Mixtures is they went a long way and lasted a while you could save some for later on. Presents were few but you made the best of what you got. It was, I suppose, good training for later life and not 'crying for the moon', I guess. The religious nature of Christmastide was somewhat more sincere I think. Carols were sung - and meant - and children did often call carolling. Money was not always their reward as sweets and other trinkets were quite acceptable. Children were, at the time, despite the blackout and areas still without street lighting, believed safe out at night and most parents were happy for them to go out carol singing. I remember simple displays in shops. but most traders carried on as usual and were happy with any extra trade that came. I do not recall the frantic, stressful shopping that seems to be part of today's Christmas period. Many places only closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day. Old adages say that to pay out money on New Years Day means that you will pay it out all year. Also to wash on New Years Day will wash away a family member. Whilst WW2 lasted for six years its effects lasted for a few years after that.