My parents were good at Christmas–they did my brothers and me proud.
December was a very exciting time.
It was the fifties–the second half of the 20th century.
Molly and Tony had grown up–spent their childhood–in the brutal first half .
They’d survived the war and were in their prime, building a family, relatively young parents for Peter and me though Ma was 40 when brother Jack was born.
They were of a mind to enjoy it all–I guess and did their best to make it magical for us.
Ma always started early–making the cake and the pudding back in September–dripping a little brandy onto them each month.
A young woman au pair from Scandanavia introduced the advent calendar to the household–so the countdown started on the first of the month.
It was sweet agony as we opened a box each day and the time ticked slowly by.
Late-ish on Christmas Eve, Santa sent a sign that he was overhead–a flame in the open fire turning greeny blue.
This was our cue.
Convinced–we eagerly scuttled off to bed. (Only later in life did we discover the trick of a teaspoon of salt cast on the flames by a scientifically savvy Dad!)
I never managed to wake up later than six on Christmas morning—always feeling the gorgeous weight of the stocking at the end of the bed–never doubting that Santa had come up trumps–apart from the perennial orange.
We weren’t allowed into the front room before eleven o’clock and the gap between a bacon and eggs breakfast (still indulged in chez nous) and eleven was difficult. The stocking presents were, of course, welcome and even interesting–up to a point; but eleven o’clock was the magic hour. That’s when we would move into the ‘family presents zone’.
Over the years, train sets, bicycles, puzzles, board games, footballs, cricket bats and cricket balls–how did my parents afford it on Dad’s modest British Rail salary?
(Years later, not long after they had both died, I was sorting through their DESK and found hundreds of unopened Lloyds Bank envelopes containing his bank statements. Dad’s answer to financial worries was clearly to operate in the land of the blissfully ignorant.)
insouciant Dad?
The door to the “front room” was unlocked as the grandfather clock in the hall was chiming eleven and in we trooped  to the sound of Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony (no TV  ’til the sixties) on Dad’s treasured gramophone system–it was like entering wonderland.
The tree covered in lights and baubles, a coal fire in the grate (it was the time of London pea-soupers), a pile of presents for each person.
The pretty order of things was soon laid to waste in a sea of torn wrapping paper.
Bliss!
And the reassuring smell of the roasting turkey wafting from the kitchen confirmed there was more to come….
BONNES FETESÂ as they say here to everyone, with
Many THANKS! Grazie! Merci! Gracias!Â
for your seasonal “Good Wishes” and continuing interest, over the past year–much appreciated.
…and to all a good night…!
Robin Ellis 
Happy Christmas to you .i have enjoyed all recipes long may they continue.
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks Gill–same to you!
That was lovely, took me back to my childhood about the same time…. I remember having real candles on the tree!! How dangerous was that??? Happy Christmas
Thanks Anna–dangerous but flickeringly pretty I imagine!
This was lovely. Bonnes fetes, bonne annee et bonne sante!
Thanks, Elaine and the same good wishes to you!
Your early Christmases sound very similar to ours…oh that wait in the morning, sweet agony! Wishing you both et les chats a very happy & peaceful Christmas and here’s to much success in 2014 x
To you too, Rachel–warm good wishes!
What a beautiful story, and what joyful memories! Thank you, Robin, for opening your life to us, and for giving us your warm and tasty recipes. I am so much more aware of eating healthy and enjoying it because of you. Happy Holidays to you and Meredith, and best wishes for a lovely new year!
Genie Pohl
Thanks, Genie–warm greetings to you too!
This made my Christmas Eve, Robin! So generous of you to share your exquisite memories with us. God Bless you and all you hold dear to your heart.
Thanks, Karin–Season’s Greeting to you!
Robin! I see a resemblance to both of your parents but especially to your
Dad! Of COURSE he was very handsome. I love the stories of Christmas’ Past.
I wish you, Meredith and the fur babies a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with Peace and Love and MUCH LAUGHTER!
We wish you the same, Judy–thank you!
This is an absolutely beautiful story, and you are so blessed to have it be yours! I didn’t grow up with a tradition of christmas, but your story makes me see how wonderful it can be within a strong and playful family. Happy Holidaze to you and Meredith and all those cats!
Same to you, Keri and thanks!
Dear Robin & Meredith and all the lovely pussycats, Thank you so much for these nice memories.It’s good to see your feeling better.Have a very nice Christmas and if you see Donald (McNeil) wish him also the best from me.Big hughs, xxxx.
I’ll be sure to, Chantal–thanks!
Lovely evocation of holiday joy! Merry Christmas to you, Meredith, and assorted animal family!
Merry Christmas to you, Cathy–thank you!
Thank you ! Merry christmas to Meredith and Robin from New Britain Pennsylvania. I loved your essay about Christmas morning – It was just like mine growing up in Lancashire. Happy New Year. Margaret.
Merry Christmas Margaret and thank you!
What a delightful account of such special moments in your life. So enjoyable to read. I immediately thought of some special moments in my childhood, but lingered more on the memories of Christmases we had with our little ones, so joyous. My much-loved mother-in-law always gave ‘noisy’ gifts to our children and never forgot to include batteries! Hahaha. How our kids loved that. Now our family has dwindled to only a daughter nearby, my aged mother and our 2 beloved cats. Our Christmas joys are simpler and we watch our grandsons celebrate over Skype. Thank you for your delightful column , may you and your family experience health and love in this new year.
Thanks, Nan and Merry Christmas to you too!
Thank you for the lovely story and all your other posts over the year, I get a real sense of the happy life you are living with Meredith and the cats.
Happy Christmas and Hope it’s less windy and wet where you all are.
No wind–yet, Jayne. Though I hear something coming down the chimney now! Rain tomorrow they say. Beat wishes to you too!
A lovely Christmas story! A Merry Christmas to you both, dear Mr. & Mrs. Ellis, and a Happy New Year of peace and good health!
The same to you Pamela–peace and health surtout!
Robin, that’s lovely! I really enjoyed reading your memories of Christmases past – how clever we’re our folks!! Happy Christmas again. Love Jane x
Thanks, Jane–and they were!
What a lovely Christmas story about your family! Love your cookbook and your blog. Merry Christmas to you and Meredith (and your cats).
The same to you, Jackie–and thank you!
Merry Christmas, Robin. And thank you for a wonderful year of recipes, lovely photographs and inspiring blog posts! Jean Fiorelli, New Jersey, USA
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks to you too, Jean and Merry Christmas!
Just loved this story of your childhood Christmas and the wonderful green flame as the sign of Santa arriving. Magic is essential! Just a pinch of salt!
Thank you for your wonderful on top of wonderful recipes and the stories that produce them. Merry Christmas to you and your family-four paws included!
Victoria
Thanks for your kind words, Victoria–Very Merry Christmas to you too!
Robin,
Your Christmas story is one of the highlights of our Holiday…brings back many of our own fifties memories! Best wishes to you, Meredith, and the kitties. Mike, Gail and our four kitties from Connecticut.
Thanks, Mike, Gail and the kitties! Warm good wishes to you too!
Robin,
Thank you for your wonderful holiday memories; it was truly a pleasure to see.
Thank you for all your great recipes; they are a delight to read.
And thank you for being such a great actor; every time I see Poldark, I can feel the wind blowing off the cliffs and hear the surf.
Happy Holidays to you, your wife and family. Many Blessings to all,
Stephanie Welch
Boston, USA
Thanks to you Stephanie and Bonnes Fetes!
Who knew that borrowing Poldark from the library about two weeks ago would lead to such a delightful email on Christmas morning! Just after 8 am here in Australia and it is a beautiful sunny day, promising to be rather warm.
Thank you for sharing your childhood memories of Christmas Day. How lucky you were and what marvellous parents. Love the colourful wish filled heart and the lovely Advent picture. Really uplifting – all of it!
I look forward to trying your lentil recipe soon – received yesterday.
Warm wishes to all your family, from Andrea
Thanks and Merry Christmas down there, Andrea–just after midnight here!
Happy Christmas to you too. Everyone in my family still has a stocking – husband and 2 teenage daughters and 94 year old mother. Jill
Good to hear that the STOCKING still rules! Merry Christmas, Jill!
Every vegetable in the house peeled and chopped ready for roasting/steaming, gammon cooked – and delicious if I may say so, Turkey stuffed with lemons, oranges, herbs and garlic ready for the oven. Pigs in blankets ready too. Trifle made and christmas pudding ready and of course a pot of vegetable soup. The prep took 5 hours but sitting down now with a wee gin. Have left out some carrots for the Reindeer and of course a mince pie with cream and a wee dram for Santa so the traditions are still being observed. Chimney swept two weeks ago in readiness. Family all coming here tomorrow so presents wrapped and under the tree.
Joyeux Noel to you and Meredith and a very happy peaceful and healthy New Year.
You are READY, Nora! Felicitations and wishing you a well deserved brilliant day!
Christmas Day greetings from wet and cool Sydney – quite a welcome change from the usual heatwave at Christmas. Your memories of Christmas and your parents are poignant. My parents (in their early eighties) are experiencing the loss of many close friends so spending Christmas Day with them has become even more special. I love the way in Poldark that a glass of port seemed the answer to everything – so I will raid my Dad’s wine supply and raise a glass or two at Christmas lunch.
Merry Christmas to you!
Judy Brinsley
Sydney Australia
Cheers to you too, Judy in Sydney and a Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours!
Merry Christmas to you both! We also had a modest “homey” Christmas growing up, no TV, but dad on piano, practicing the Messiah for upcoming church services, and Mom singing along while she whipped up a marvelous meal. Presents were nice, and eagerly awaited, but its funny, it’s the music I remember the most!
Thanks for all you’re doing, in your kitchen and in your books, to keep the world a healthier place,
Best,
Nancy Nichols
Good memories Nancy–thanks. Wishing you a Healthy New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Your post brought back a lot of great memories, thanks for sharing with us!
Thanks Kate–Merry Christmas to you and yours too!
Merry Christmas Robin.
Thank you for another fantastic year full of deliciously mouth-watering recipes, sparklingly brilliant observations and the most touching family memories. Your warmth and sincerity is truly inspiring. Thank you.
Wishing yourself, Meredith and your furry friends all the wonder and happiness of the festive season.
Lana
N.Z.
Thanks Lana, Bonnes Fetes to you too down there in New Zealand!
Takes me right back. Happy Christmas
Chris
Same to you, Chris and a Happy and Healthful New Year.
Dear Robin,
What a marvelously nostalgic, warm, and fascinating post on line! As an 86 year old American Europhile, I loved your posting of “Christmas past” for you. I felt I was there. Well, sir, you are obviously as good a writer as you are an actor and a chef. A man of many talents, indeed!
Thanks! On Christmas Eve at 25 minutes before Christmas Day is here, I wish you and all of your dear ones a lovely Christmas Day. Mine will be spent with all locally available relatives (two sons and their respective families, and an assortment of grandchildren.) Many live within driving distance of Los Gatos, California, where I live.
Sadly, I say “I” rather than “we” these days, since I lost my beloved husband (he was a cardiologist) of almost 65 years in late November. I am recovering slowly from this dreadful loss, but I have to learn how to live alone. I will probably be offering quarters to local musicians – instrumental or vocal – since I have coached languages for two opera companies since 1994, when I retired from teaching French and German at a local public school in Los Gatos. My life is forever changed now.
So Bonnes Fêtes to you and your loved ones, as well. I feel as though I know you, though I am really just a fan of yours. I have tried many of your recipes, and I have great respect and admiration for your culinary talent!
Bonne chance dans la nouvelle année!
Lea Frey
PS. A currently revisiting “The Forsyte Saga” – the entire thing. When I finish, I think I may relive the entire collection I have of “Polddark”. Both were masterful series from the BBC, which ran here in California. I taped them and enjoy them periodically – mostly in the evenings.
Thanks Lea–Bonnes Fetes indeed to you and yours. May the New Year bring some comfort to you and perhaps new challenges!
An especially lovely post, thank you so much -It reminded me to of my Christmases back in the late (VERY late) 50s and early 60s
– have to go now as there’s something in my eye 🙂
Hope it wasn’t anything serious in your eye–Bonnes Fetes!
Merry Christmas/Frohe Weihnachten to you and Meredith and thanks for sharing your wonderful Christmas memories with us.
PS. Boggioli olive oil was a welcome gift for my sisters. I used it for my pesto rosso yesterday evening. Thanks for your recommendation, it’s delicious!
Boggioli is best!–so glad you like it, Martina. Bonnes Fetes to you!
Thank you for sharing these lovely memories. May we all continue to make such fine memories. Merry Christmas to you and Meredith!
Thank you, Janice–Bonnes Fetes to you too!
Dear Robin, thank you for sharing such moving and intense memories with us. You’ve made me go back in time until 40 years ago or more, when my parents were still alive and young, and Christmas was the most important moment of the year for me. I waited all Christmas Eve day with a grip of anxiety on my stomach, until in the evening my parents played the Santa Clause’s arrival scene and I could open my coloured parcels. – We still use to open our parcels on the 24th evening – They always succeeded in making me believe that he had really rung our door bell! In Italy we celebrate also Epiphany on 6th January and children get little presents or sweets even on that occasion. -To tell the truth, before Second World War children used to receive presents only at Epiphany, not at Christmas.- Anyway, you can imagine my emotion, while, waiting for the old “befana” to come down the chimney, I couldn’t sleep! I was also a bit scared! Besides, by mentioning the good smell of roasted turkey, you’ve reminded me of the good and warm smell of the traditional fish dishes my mother cooked so well. Even though some traditions and habits are slightly different, the magic created by loving parents for their childen is the same everywhere and it will be remembered throughout the years. As a mother, I’ve been trying to do the same for my kids and I hope that one day they will remember their past Christmases in the same nostalgic and loving way as you have just done. I beg your pardon for starting to comment without introducing myself some weeks ago, but I was too moved by Lucien’s story and I forgot good manners. I’ m writing from Italy, I’m a teacher specialized about disable students and I was a dedicated Poldark’s fan. I appreciate your recipes really much and, together with my daughter, I also appreciate your accounts about your cats. We are cats lovers too. Perhaps I’ve written too much, but I don’t know whether I am communicating effectively what I really mean, I think I need more language practice, especially as for the use of language is concerned. Though it’s a bit late, we want to wish you and Meredith a really Merry Christmas and a New Year full of love and good health. Marina, Italy.
Thanks Marina–your writing in English is remarkable. Lovely memories. Do you still cook any of your mother’s fish dishes? Happy New Year!
Thank you for your appreciating my poor English! Yes, I still cook my mother’s dishes with a lot of love and regret but also with satisfaction, as my husband loves them. Happy New Year again!
Merry Christmas and hope you and Meredith have a Happy New Year.
Thanks cpageh–and to you too!
What a wonderful reminder of things past. My very wise mother would wrap our presents in cellophane and place them in our pillowslips under the tree. My brother and I would sneak up to the tree at about 5am, and what a racket we would make until told to “get back to bed you two.” Sadly those times have past but the memories remain.
It is now Boxing Day here so I can say a belated Merry Christmas but have a great and prosperous New Year Robin. I hope the book launch is successful and that you and Meredith keep in good health.
Helen from Australia
Thanks helen–wise Mum indeed! Healthy and happy New Year to you too!
love your memories of christmas its a time when I and I suppose a lot of us reminisce about old times, those old time christmas`s were magical as noone had a lot I was born in 53 an apple orange and tin of toffees meant a huge amount then, I fear now kids all get far too much, anyway enough of my ramplings keep well and a healthy and happy new year to you and yours. fred
Thanks Fred–the same to you!
Merry christmas to you both!,Thankyou for sharing with us!..Had a wee Dram for you guys yesterday! Blessings! Maurice in glasgow
Raising a glass(red Wine) to you too Maurice! Thank you.
Grazie Robin for sharing the memories. Some of us have memories like this and sharing helps. Happy 2014
Thank you for your post and a Merry – belated – Christmas to you!
Andrea (France)
To you too Andrea and Bonne Année!
Well, I really enjoyed reading this story, Mr. Ellis. Happy New Year to you and Meredith!
Same to you Heidi and thank you!
Dear Robin & Meredith,
Thinking of you as the hours wind down for 2013…May the new year bring you only happy times, healthy animals, lots of great recipes in the kitchen, and perhaps another cup of coffee with old friends from across the pond! 🙂
Cheers & hugs!
Dianne & Gene
Thank you Dianne and the same to you and Gene! Good health above all.
I hope this YouTube appears: it’s a loving ode to a man who can cook:
My husband could cook. I wish you and your wife and cats a good new year.
Ellen
Wow!–thanks Ellen–superb, Meredith roared!
And a good and Healthful New Year to you.
Dear Robin and Meredith,
A lovely and happy and healthy new year to you! that’s my new year’s wish for both of you .
Love from The Netherlands!
Caroline
Same to you, Caroline–thanks!
These arrived today and I thought they were worth sharing with some like-minded folks.
So – voilà ! Enjoy!!
Lea
Begin forwarded message:
> From: Alexandra von Wrede > Date: June 3, 2014 1:14:52 PM PDT > To: “Albert G. Funk” , Lea Fredericks Frey , Mary Larsen , Georgia Stubbs , Janet Verity Maloof , Dana Amongol , Marie Butler , Robert MacLeod , Tara Wrede Albert , Ray Ostrander , Lucy Ericson , Laura Robbins , Lynn McLean , Greg Seastrom > Subject: Fw: Nanosecond Photos (Delightful!) > Reply-To: Alexandra von Wrede > > > >