Meredith asked me at supper what was the first Christmas present I remember.
I’m not as good at remembering my childhood as she is.
I do remember the joy of anticipation waking up Christmas morning and feeling the weight of the now brimming stocking resting at the end of the bed–my parents’ keep ’em busy while we wake up solution to kids’ five a.m. insomnia.
I also remember retrieving, with a full arm, the perennial orange at the stocking’s foot, with a double sense of disappointment. Too soft to be a cricket ball and the knowledge that that was it, for several hours to come.
We were not allowed into the drawing room until eleven o’clock, where the real stuff was piled ’round the tree.
“We” meaning my brother Peter (six years younger) and me.
The gap between finishing up our orange juice (the oranges didn’t go to waste), bacon and eggs, toast and marmalade–and eleven o’clock was interminable.
A watched clock always runs slow and the contents of the stocking had a limited interest span.
AT LAST the key was turned and we pushed passed Dad into the coal-fire warmth of the drawing room–(central heating was only something my mother dreamed about)–assessing the size of the piles round the sweet pine-scented tree, willing the larger ones to be ours.
This was the early fifties. Rationing was still in operation for some things (including sweets!).
Dad worked for British Railways–our parents did us proud on a limited budget–and we went by train everywhere.
I loved trains.
I wanted an electric train set.
This is the present I remember: An electric train set by Trix–(not Hornby, which everyone had!)
Dad set it up in the Dining room (very cold, but I didn’t mind) and we all spent the rest of the day on our stomachs!
I’m kidding–Ma went off to the kitchen!
Robin Ellis 
Robin, you’re a wonderful storyteller! I look forward to your stories almost more than your recipes (almost….) Happy & healthy Holidays wishes to you, Meredith and your family (and please keep those stories coming!)
Thanks Linda–Merry Christmas too!
That all sounds so familiar. My two brothers and I had the same experience with the stocking, etc. I do remember getting a (gasp!) doll one year, when all I wanted were trucks, toy horses or books. What were they thinking? You and Meridith have a great Holidays, we are lucky enough to actually have some snow this year here in Vermont. Cheers, Shelagh.
Thanks, Shelagh–a Merry Christmas to you too in snowy Vermont.
Merry Christmas, Robin
Your early Christmas memories rekindled similar memories for me;the orange in the bottom of the stocking, the train set (although mine was a Hornby) and my father worked for British Railways too! Being brought up in the Fifties wasn’t too bad, was it.
Thanks Peter and you are right the fifties hold happy memories for me.
(Dad worked at Euston House for the LMS.)
Hi Robin, another Linda here. Enjoying your childhood memories, – you’re an entertaining writer and I love the accounts of your furry feline friends too. Wishing you and yours a great Christmas and awonderful New Year. Trust you weren’t waiting for the alien spaceships down there in the south of France! Love from Linda
Thanks Linda–and merry Christmas to you too. No aliens in view just the Pyrenees this morning and they are not getting any nearer!
Wonderful story, my hubby loves trains and had a wonderful train set as a kid also. Now it’s “Thomas the Tank Engine” everywhere and my granddaughter even dressed as Thomas for Halloween when she was 2. Now she and her brother who is two years younger so they are 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 are looking forward to more Thomas train sets. I always loved going on trains much more fun than cars and planes. Still enjoy the short train trip from our house now into Boston. That was such a treat as a child. Going into “town” to see “Santa’s Village” and the lighted Boston Common and Garden. It was truly a winter wonderland.
Robin have you ever thought of writing a Christmas book for children? That story and I’m sure others would be so nice to pass on.
Have a very Merry Christmas Robin and Meredith..
Very merry Christmas to you too, Pati!
Hi Robin.
A beautiful story, and what comes through is the love your parents had
in keeping traditions.
Merry Christmas to you and Meredith, and your family.
And to you Genie!
I really enjoyed your little train tale. Very charming! Merry Christmas Robin!!
Thanks and the same to you Elizabeth.
Thanks for sharing! Brought back memories of my brothers getting train sets
from Santa Claus. I recall they were always running off the tracks. Not sure why; but my brothers appeared enjoy the entire process. Merry Christmas!
Yes keeping them on track was a constant challenge!
merry Christmas to you too Linda!
ROBIN. Love the story! My favourite gift was my EZ bake oven! Thought I died and went to heaven! I too used to get a stocking with tangerines. And unshelled nuts in the toe which I promptly skipped over for the candy. Merry Christmas to you Meredith and all the critters! I wish a. blessed and peaceful Christmas to. My Poldark friends around the world. Its snowing here by The Chesapeake Bay!!
Merry white Christmas, Judy!
A wonderful Christmas memory for you Robin – bet you were chuffed to remember that one (sorry!). Best wishes to you and Meredith for a very Happy Christmas and New Year.
Merry Christmas, Jackie.
What a lovely reminder of Christmases past. I remember my brother getting a train set and the hours of fun we had with us…….until the transformer packed in! Happy Christmas to you and Meredith. Really enjoy the recipes and the blogs.
Happy Christmas, Carmel.
Merry Christmas Robin.
My brother is still a train fanatic some 50 years after receiving Hornby & Triang models from many, many Christmas days past. I think it has rubbed off on me as I still know the gauges! I always remember the excitement when he had smoke coming from the funnel of one (intentional smoke I’d better add!)
It’s quite hot outside this Christmas morning with blue skies in Dunedin, NZ, about 22 degrees and rising.
Thank you for your always delightful stories, magnificent recipes and thoughtful observations.
Very best wishes to yourself, Meredith and of course the puddy tats!
Lana
NZ
Merry Christmas down there in NZ, Lana!
Wonderful childhood memories! That’s strange, we had the same topic at dinner today. In Germany gifts are always distributed under the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Before that, we have dinner and as a child it took all so long and we were all so nervous and excited that we didn’t really know what we ate. We grew up on a farm and our parents were mostly at work before we finally all went into the living room. Always impressed me the festive atmosphere and the beautifully decorated tree and of course the presents underneath.
Today, Christmas was more like spring. We had over 20C which is a new record for Christmas Eve! A few weeks ago we had a lot of snow.
Frohe Weihnachten to you and Meredith
Happy Christmas, Martina!
Robin what memories you have brought back,I still remember feeling for that sack at the bottom of the bed at some ungodly hour conveniced that santa had just been,and finding that orange in the toe.
I still think that a steam train is far more tinteresting and romantic than the ones that we have now – maybe we were the lucky ones after all in the fifties.Meredith and Robin have a wonderful time this holiday with family and your lovely pets.
You too, Elaine!
Merry Christmas Robin And Meredith!, All the best for 2013!….
We had stockings hung on the fireplace – real knee socks, not the fancy store-made ones I hang now! An orange or tangerine and some walnuts, perhaps a candy cane. If we were lucky we went to Radio City to see the stage show and a movie, watch the skaters at Rockefeller Center and the great tree – still the most impressive one at about 75 or 80 feet. Merry Christmas from Chicagoland!
Merry Christmas Judith. I went to Radio City once–it was/is vast!
We had a similar rule in my house — we could have the stockings (with orange in the toe) but never touch the others until the parental units were up and had their coffee. My dad had an H-O gauge train (smaller than the ones most people had); he’d get a new car for every year with a few more sections of track to expand the oval around the base of the Christmas tree. He also worked briefly for the B&O Railroad in the fifties, thus the train collecting.
Merry Christmas, Robin and Meredith! And many blessings in the New Year!
Wait, I think the H-O were the larger trains, but we had the smaller ones, heavier for their size, and they were called Lionel, now that I recall it. Anyway, I do miss having a train set up for Christmas.
Thanks Nancy–nice to know about your father and the B&O–(Baltimore and Ohio Meredith tells me).
Hello, Robin & Meredith,
My sister & I were always in heaven when we found a Breyer horse (statue) under the tree…and later it was Beatles or Wings records! I was also enthralled by my parents’ spinning color wheel that I only recently discovered went with those silver metal Christmas trees from the 50s. For some reason, my grandparents kept the tree, but my family had the wheel! Did they have those in the UK?
A very Merry Christmas to you both! Give the cats extra hugs from all of us, too!
Love,
Dianne & Gene
Thank you Dianne and Gene and a Merry Christmas to you both too!
I don’t remember a spinning wheel–just a spinning head after drinking too much at lunch!
Dear Robin & Meredith, very nice story! Merry Christmas to you and your family and also to your best friend Donald (Captain McNeill).Hughs, Chantal.
Thank you. Merry Christmas to you too, Chantal!
Robin and Meredith and everyone here,
Merry Christmas,happy holidays! Christmas brings out the childlike joy that is im the heart of all of us.Robin,your story so resonated as did the stories of others here. I guess this is a day when the world is a gentler place.
Just brushing of car for my commute to Quebec City…thank heaven for snow tires:-)
Janet
Merry Christmas to you too Janet–safe journey too!
Christmas greetings, Robin and Meredith!
I too remember those long ago Christmas mornings. But Christmas mornings were preceded by Christmas Eves when we hung up our stockings and also put out a snack for Santa. In the morning the snack would be gone and our stockings would be filled with goodies — an orange, nuts and a small “stocking stuffer” present or two. I still have my stocking that my grandmother made and it is hanging from my mantle now.
Below the tree lots of presents would be spread – but never including a train. After opening them, we would have breakfast with eggs and bacon and toast. Then later in the day we would have a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings — cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing, sweet potato pie with nuts, a veggie or two, and for dessert a yummy pecan pie! Ah, those were the days.
Here in Santa Fe, it has snowed over night, so we will have a white Christmas (Irving Berlin would approve). In the late afternoon I am going to my next door neighbor’s house and will take with me a variation on what we used to call “ambrosia.” My variation is a mixed fruit salad with orange and pink grapefruit sections, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and lots of shredded coconut — all decorated with sprigs of mint. If I’d been thinking, I would have gotten pineapple slices to cut up an add to the rest, and/or mango chunks. However, it will be ample and good and a refreshing conclusion to what will no doubt be
a large, very filling dinner.
Btw, your book arrived a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been enjoying it a lot.
May your Christmas be very happy and the New Year filled with good things,
Nancy
Bon apetit, Nancy!
I, too, remember the orange in our stockings–and they were just our everyday socks, not some giant special Christmas stocking. I remember a couple dolls, my brothers’ train set (I enjoyed it as much as they, girl or not!), and being required to sing several carols & then Silent Night in German for our grandmothers before we’d be allowed to open any gifts. All good memories. Hope our kids have as many good memories as we did in the 50’s.
I’m sure they will and pass yours on too to their kids.
Dear Robin, what a lucky youngster you were. A Trix Railway set. Wonderful. I’ve never received a Christmas present. It wasn’t a custom nor tradition. Our presents did hang on Christmas tree. A few sweets, chocolates, shortbreads. I recall the biggest and the most welcome were Pepin apples carefully preserved in dry straw since the harvest in Autumn. How shining were their red faces hanging on Christmas tree.
I recall three Christmas days. The first was reserved for the members of the family. The second and the third day were visiting days. But the most important day was Christmas Eve. A handful of hay was placed under a white tablecloth. This represented the Manger. In the middle of this was placed an oblong or square white wafer similar in taste and texture to a communion wafer. The meal consisted of 12 meatless dishes representing the 12 Apostles. After a prayer the wafer was shared among the people around the table with a greeting: “God bless you until next Christmas!” This represented Peace and Unity of the Family. It always included one or two unknown poor and homeless people. After all the Holy Family was homeless too.
Before beginning the meal the head of the Family reserved a spoonful of every dish for Family’s pets and animals if there were any. I don’t think they ate it but it was also an old tradition that at Midnight every animal spoke with a human voice. I don’t think that anyone ever heard their talk…
No wine or any other type of alcohol was used during this meal. Water or a fizzy drink made at home from dark rye bread and yeast was permitted.
After the meal there were games, guessing of the future, guessing of the future harvest and great story telling until at Midnight everyone went by horse drawn sleighs to Midnight Service.
The table was always left uncleared. People firmly believed that the ghosts of the past came back home to have their Christmas Eve meal too.
Dear Meredith and Robin, a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year to you both.
Thank you for these rememberings Odette, recalling a very different world. Where were you–in France?
Odette, this almost sounds like the Polish traditions in Warsaw–the wafers, meatless meals, empty seat…and I’ve always heard the animals spoke at midnight, too! (We usually stay up until then…just in case!) So where were you from?
All the best, Dianne & Gene
Hi, Dianne,
how wonderful it is to know that out there is someone to whom this traditional Christmas Eve meal is known. My family’s origin is Lithuanian. But I was born in France and have spent my early childhood years in Lithuania. After the war we were able to return to France. Also as you most probably know the history of that particular European region Christianity reached Lithuania from Poland by peaceful means only in 1387 bringing with it the old Polish traditions. They have changed over the centuries but the Christmas Eve meal “Kucios” has remained until this day… Merry belated Christmas, Dianne, and a Happy New 2013 Year to you and to everybody yours…
Wesołych Świąt from Gdansk.
Hi, Liz,
you live so near my parents’ homeland. Thank you for Christmas greetings. In Poland people say: “Wesolych Swiat”. In Lithuania they wish each other: “Linksmu Svenciu.” I send you and your family my warmest greetings from South Australia and every happiness to you all throughout the coming New Year. Our world is becoming very small indeed…
Thank you very much for such kind greetings, Odette. My best wishes for the New Year to you and your family. I look forward to meeting you again here (with Robin’s permission!).
Dear Liz,
thank you for your caring message. It has reached me today at 2.38 a.m. Australia has several time zones.
It is mid-winter in Baltic region. How well I remember the snow and the biting cold. In those days I was not much taller than the knee of a grasshopper and walking to school the snow was well above my head. I have never dreamt that one day I shall live in a very hot climate. So hot to an European that it becomes almost intolerable at 42 deg.C+. We have been warned that it may become even hotter.
What else could I tell you in a couple sentences? It is mid-summer. The grain has been gathered. The harvest is good even with perpetual lack of rain. The fields are yellow and brown unlike the green fields in Europe in summer. The early apricots and peaches have ripened. In late March the grape harvest will begin in earnest. I live in the vicinity of World famous wine region Barossa Valley. Later in the Autumn the almonds and the olives (oil) will be ready to pick.
Robin wrote in his comments that we live in very interesting times. He is right. Technology is very advanced and there is no end in sight. The man made storm that shook Europe from Atlantic Ocean to Ural Mountains left it divided into East and West for almost 50 years. The families were dispersed and lost. Later some were fortunate to find the loved ones and some were not. There was a courageous man working in Gdansk dockyards. His name, I believe, was Lech Walesa. He became 20th century David who stood fearless against modern Goliath. And the idea of Solidarnosc was born in Gdansk. A tiny pebble that rolled into a boulder and Goliath was defeated. Europe was reunited. Dear Liz, I wonder how many young Polish people remember this European Hero…
I hope this will find you well and happy. My best wishes to you all.
Sincerely Odette
Hi Robin,
The first Xmas present I remember was a doll my parents gave me. This was about 1961. I remember it so well because my father walked Xmas Eve day in a snow storm for several hours( to the store and back) to make sure I received a present for Xmas. The snow storm was so bad that all the buses had stopped service.
I remember my father walking into the house that day after his adventure covered with snow including his face and glasses. His nose was bright red and his eyes tearing.
I received one present every year for Xmas because that was what my parents could provide at the time.
We had no family in America at that time. So for a long time it was just the 3 of us at Xmas.
There is one other special memory at Xmas from the 60’s. My parents and I would receive phone calls from family around the world Xmas day (Canada, Sri Lanka, Australia and England) . This was the one time in the year the phone calls would be made.
I do not know why we did not speak with family in the 1960’s more than once a year. Perhaps it was just very expensive (now I speak with family overseas several times a month!).
The once a year Xmas phone calls were so special because we had no family in America. It was exciting and bitter sweet to receive these treasured calls.
The de saram family Xmas has expanded to include not only my parents but my 2 sons, their girlfriends and other friends who do not have family to visit at Xmas time.
Any way, Merry Xmas Robin and Meredith and everyone else on the Blog.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Ann.
I forgot to tell you about the special train gardens set up each year in Baltimore. Judy from MD on the blog can probably add to this.
I grew up in NYC so when I came to Baltimore I was very surprised to find an Xmas train garden tradition in Maryland. Many of the fire houses in Baltimore and the surrounding area open their doors to families at Xmas time to view train/winter gardens. Fireman use this as a fund raiser.
The trains sets are placed on long extended tables. These trains travel up mountains, through cities…what ever the firemen have created in their winter garden. One garden had an electronic skier going up and down the mountain.
A Baltimore friend says that the interest in MD for these train gardens is due to the B@O railway (Baltimore and Ohio). This is why NYC did not have this tradition.
I would take my sons when they were young to several train garden shows. We enjoyed them so much. It was part of our annual celebration of Xmas.
The creativity of the firemen were amazing. The firemen enjoyed seeing the children’s faces of rapture watching the trains.
Merry Xmas
Paradise for a 3 year old (boy I suppose) and upwards!
Yes Ann Love The Fire House trains The B and O was on a deadline to get tracks laid. It provided a lot of employment to immigrants. . I have always loved train gardens.The ones with little villages. There is something so romantic about trains. Our snow melted over. Night!! It was beautiful though.
The memories of Christmas Past come flooding back and all the changes life brings can almost overwhelm one. I enjoy reading your comments, I wish you and Meridith a most Merry and blessed Christmas! Eileen Thomas – Lakeville, Minnesota
Merry Christmas Eileen!
Nice to see another fan from Minnesota, where we almost always have a white Christmas…. I do love Robin’s stories.
Thanks Eileen–and wishing you the same.
My father had a Lionel train set from the 1940’s that had lights in the train engine. My sisters and I loved to watch the train lights swirl around the room. Every so often a piece of tinsel would happen to fall on the track and cause a spark.
Good morning, Robin. I wrote my childhood rememberings at a very late hour on Christmas Day. I’ve found your message only this morning on Boxing Day. 54 messages later.
This Christmas Eve meal so deeply seeped in tradition happens in my parents native land Lithuania. And to some extent in Poland. After two centuries of constant battle against Teutonic Knights and their “cruel faith” Christianity at last came very late from Poland by peaceful means in 1387.
Although I was born in France my early childhood was spent in Lithuania until WWII when after the war as refugees we returned to my native land France. It was fascinanting to read all these Christmas messages on your “blog”. I wonder how many people realize and appreciate that in fact it is a great uniting hand of so many people living in different parts of our globe? For this, my dear unknown friend, I am deeply grateful.
We live in interesting times, Odette! The internet allows us to communicate in ways hitherto unknown.
But it takes people to bring it to life. Thanks for being so communicative on the blog and telling us about your remarkable life and background. Happy and a healthful New Year!
… thank you, dear Robin. And the same to you! You lead such a happy life. May the Almighty grant you a very long one too…
Looking back on past Christmasses and remembering the people associated with them is both moving and strengthening. Your story sparks memories for me too. I was interested in dolls AND trains (an early memory is seeing the last train from Crystal Palace High Level Station and we travelled to grandparents on the Master Cutler – steam, of course). I wished for and eventually received a clockwork train set. It’s somewhat strange that, here in Poland at any rate, toys still seem to be designated as either boys’ toys or girls’ toys, the latter usually highlighted in pink. Perhaps France has moved on?
Belated wishes for a continued Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Liz and same to you!
Merry belated Christmas! Domitilla
To you too Domitilla!
Robin, the neighbor boy’s train set (Lionel) was ever so much more exciting than the “girl” presents I usually got. I loved getting new books, paint sets, or a new robe- but seeing his new train car every year was pretty fun, too! I’m glad the post-war years didn’t stop you from having warm Christmas memories… It was quite a while before families could get as much butter, sugar, and flour as they wanted, right? …Sorry it took so long for the U.S. to get our act together and help out our closest ally. I know some British people were near starving after the war. But Christmas always brings hope and joy! Happy Christmas from Stillwater, MN. And an early Happy New Year to you and Meredith and your critters.
Thanks Les and the same to you!
Lot’s of love from me to you. I missed the christmas blog, I catched a cold,
I can hardly say a word because I have to cough very badly.
Happy end of the year, Caroline–hope you are on the mend soon.
A train for Christmas! I so, so wanted a toy train, but in Cleveland, Ohio in the 1950’s little girls didn’t have trains, and my parents were not ones to do anything unconventional. My mother had a baby when I was nine, and she told me that if the baby were a boy (no ultrasounds then!) that he would get a train, and I could play with it, but alas! the baby, was a girl. She was a nice baby, but still.
No trains for us now, either. Some people have good cats, but we don’t. There are nine of them at the moment, all bad, which is why we don’t have a tree, either. I spend a lot of my time sewing, which means that I count every pin I use and everything gets put away in boxes which even smart cats cannot open when I am done. We keep our bread in the oven because they cannot open that, and there are baby locks on the cabinets.
We wouldn’t trade any one of them for anything. Not even the loveliest toy train. (Imagining the feline reaction to a predictably moving train on tracks.)
I am a bit late for Christmas, but I wish you and Meredith, and everyone who posts here a happy new year, and many more to come!
Thanks Barb and the same to you and all nine cats!
A belated Happy Christmas to you and Meredith, Robin!
I have been travelling until yesterday, so have only just caught up with your memories.
Being a child of the fifties too, we children had stockings in the (early) morning, and then had an agonisingly long wait for other presents until after the Queen (3pm) had delivered her message on the radio!! The time dragged so, and the gifts looked so appealing under the tree. Cannot remember any specific item, but it was always a magical time. For one thing we were allowed to stay up quite late. Then there was the longing for a few snowflakes – not very likely in London – and looking forward to Boxing Day when the whole family went for a long walk, returning for soup and roasted chestnuts by a roaring log fire and playing games.
My own children have continued some family traditions, but the next generation do quite different things, mostly concerned with phones and computers!
Lucy, 7, likes to cook with me, and perhaps she will continue what began with her gt. gt. grandparents.
Thanks and the same to you Sophie-Jane!
Good for Lucy–there’s hope!
Dear Robin, Meredith & cats…just catching up on blogs & enjoying all the wonderful comments on this post too…when used properly, the Internet is a miraculous thing! My sister & her 3 children are visiting from Australia this year, so we have been 11 for every meal…quite a change, but such a happy one! I cooked the Christmas dinner…a feast comprising 7 types of vegetables with a little meat to accompany them…you would have approved! A very Happy Christmas & everything good to you both in 2013 . Thanks for the wonderful blog & anticipating the new book eagerly…Rachel x
Thanks Rachel. The same to you for 2013.
7 veggie dishes is impressive!
Life is truly wonderful as precious memories accompany our days.
Some of my fondest memories of Christmas are of the ones spent growing up with my Brother, Sister, Mother and our Grandparents.
Early in the morning before one gift was exchanged, it was my Grandfather’s delight to cook the traditional breakfast of scrambled eggs and sausage links.
To this day, it remains as my favorite breakfast!
I loved watching my Grandmother consult her inevitable “list” for the turkey dinner event that would find the whole family gathered around the table in the early evening.
We were all amazed at her culinary talents and grateful, for her kind heart as well as the veritable feast she excelled at.
When my own children were growing up, my family and I continued those traditions.
Though they are all grown up and have their own families now, those delightful traditions are alive and well in their own households and in spite of the thousands of miles between us, in a very real sense they continue to serve to bring us all together again.
Oh and as for that traditional breakfast I love so much?….
My husband Charles has taken on my Grandfather’s mantle and once a year that lovely tradition graces our Christmas morning. Perfect!
Christmas presents…indeed.
Merry Christmas Robin and Meredith, and as the New Year approaches I wish you both a wonderful New Year filled to overflowing with all of God’s Blessings.
Thank you, PaulaKate–bacon and eggs featured chez nous Christmas Day too. Happy to hear your family tradition continues.
Another Post I enjoyed, Thank you. I hope that the last few hours of 2012 come to a pleasant end and wish you all the bext for 2013.
Andrea
the best….
Dear Robin & Meredith,
You must be busy visiting friends & family! We are leaving in an hour to have dinner w/Gene’s cousins–thankfully, it’s someone else’s turn to cook, haha! We had 18 for Christmas–great ham, pierogis, butternut squash, the works! But we know you’ll be singing “Auld Lang Syne” before us, so we had to write to wish you and your families, and cats, of course a wonderful, healthy, Happy New Year!!! We treasure you both! 🙂
Hugs & kisses at midnight!
Gene & Dianne