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Sheree
The start of the Christmas season was signaled by the putting up of the Christmas tree. Dad would take us four kids out to the country to cut down a tree. Being highly competitive little brats, there was a mad scramble to be the one to find the perfect tree. Back at home the tree was set up in the corner of the dining room to unthaw.  Dad's job was to string the lights, and put the angel on top. Then we children put on the decorations, and we each had our own really special ones to hang. Mom put on the finishing touch of the silver icicles. Then Mom would make a plate of cookies and Christmas oranges, turn off all the lights in the house, light up the Christmas tree and the whole family just sat and admired what was surely the most beautiful tree in the world. Just the smell of a fresh cut evergreen tree takes me back to the magic of a childhood Christmas. |
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Dave When I was a kid, my dad worked for Standard Aero, rebuilding aircraft engines. This was in the early '70's, making me around 10 years old or so. Standard Aero hosted a kids Christmas party like none other!  There was junk food of every description, all the soda and cheeseburgers you could eat, a visit from Santa Claus, magicians and cartoons on a 16mm movie projector. To top it off, Santa gave out terrific presents - he wasn't just taking suggestions on what you wanted! I can still remember the year I received a medieval castle which came with lots of knights, archers, catapults and all of the required equipment to wage battle. It's long gone now, but its memory still lives on as one of my favorite gifts of all time. |
