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Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Down Christmas Memory Lane

Happy Wednesday, sweet friends. There is something about this time of the year that always has me skipping down memory lane. I have to admit that I absolutely Love ! Love ! Love  Christmas! That got me to thinking about asking a few Christmas questions and sharing my memories . I would be overjoyed if you sat down and joined me and perhaps you may start skipping down Christmas Memory Lane too.  So here goes....

 1. As a child did you have a real tree or a fake tree and what was your favorite memories of it?  

This year's cross stitch tree. 

As a child, we only had one Christmas tree up each year. Sometimes it would be a real one sometimes a fake one. The years that we would have a real tree, Dad , my sis and I would go to the "bottoms" which is the pastures by the river and search for the perfect sized cedar tree which would be growing along the fence line or along the limestone rock croppings.  If we were lucky , we might even cut a small one for my room. Sister never wanted one.πŸ˜• Our tree would be decorated with lots of tinsel and red silk ornaments .Later in the years, Mom purchased some ornaments from Sears Roebuck that we would hang on the tree, and I must not forget  the little red apple ornaments that she bought from the Dollar General.  My favorite most glorious trees of memory were my Granny's - She had a small 3 foot tree, and every year it was loaded with handmade ornaments, and  tinsel galore!  Hmmm maybe that is where I got my love for overloading the trees from. πŸ˜‚ Anywhoo, my sister and I would pull off the tinsel and then blow it back on the tree. Aaah such sweet memories. 

Little raggedy celloid Santas from Granny's tree. 

2. Did you hang stockings as a child and do you hang them now?  

Just 2 wee quilt stockings hanging on the mantle this year. 

We did not have a fireplace to hang our stockings as kiddos. Most of the time the stockings were placed by the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Lo and behold on Christmas Day, they would be filled with a coloring book and a little something. I believe a couple of times, Santa placed some oranges in the toes of the stockings. 




 

As a child we, usually had the red felt stockings . Do you remember these?  We used glue and glitter to write our name on the white cuff. After so many years, they would red felt would wear.  I always wanted a plastic mesh stocking from the store that was already filled to the brim with goodies. But  I never got one. Lol.  

These are my daughters' stockings made by their MeMaw years ago. 

3. What was your favorite Christmas book growing up and did you enjoy coloring books? 

My favorite Christmas book was T'was the Night Before Christmas.  I still love it to this day.  When I was very young, I memorized the poem and would recite it each Christmas Eve.   Another favorite is The Velveteen Rabbit- such a sweet story.  We always had coloring books. I could color all day long as a kiddo. I bought coloring books for my kids too, but they weren't as enthralled with them as I was. 

4. As a child when did your family put up your Christmas tree and when do you put it up now?

Mom never put the tree up early. It was always December 18th- one week before Christmas and down it came either Christmas night or the day after.  It wasn't until that I was living in  my own home and started putting my tree up early that mom started to do the same. Today my 1st big tree goes up November 1st. But sshhhhh don't tell anyone  🀫- there are a few little trees that go up in the hall, and the bedroom that go up Oct. 20th. I got to get a head start with all that I want to put out. Lol. πŸ˜€πŸŽ„πŸŽ… This old gal just loves the Christmas season. Don't you? 


5. What were some of your favorite Christmas movies or cartoons as a youngin' ? How about as an adult'? 

Of course, I loved all of the animated classic cartoons as a child- Rudolph, Frosty and who can forget the Grinch.  Little House on the Prairie Christmas episodes were a favorite as well. Today, of course I enjoy the same, but I also include National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, The Christmas Carol and The Christmas Story. 

6. Was the 5 and Dime store a special place to visit during the Christmas season as a child?  Oh , I just loved the 5 and dimes as a child not only during Christmas time but all year round. There were a few in our  rural county including Kuhns, Mrs. Ruyans and Pittmans' Five and Dime. Pittman's always had a little letter from Santa that a child could fill out and drop into their mailbox. It was assured the letter would reach Santa way before Christmas Eve.  

Do you remember these little snowglobes. Mom or Nanny always picked us up one from the 5 and dime each Christmas. This one is faded , scratched and no longer has water, but what a joy they were to have. 

                      

                                      Graphic from the Graphic Fairy

So tell me are you skipping down memory lane right now. I sure hope so, and I hope your memories are fond ones. I would be so honored to hear some of your memories as well. Thank you so much for spending  a few minutes out of your day with me. It means more than you will ever know. I wish you a wonderful day . 

Oh, by the way, I would love for any other blogger to join me in sharing and asking the questions on their blogs. If you are interested, I will leave a list of the questions below that perhaps you can copy and paste. Please message me if you share them so I can visit . I will be sharing 5 more questions next Wednesday so if you want to join me let me know, and I will send you the questions and then I will share a link to your blog on that day too. 

Have a wonderful day, sweet friends and ...


As Always...


Happy  Stitching and Quilting, y'all

Melisa 

Christmas presents come and go; Christmas memories last a lifetime. 

Hugs and Stitches!!!!πŸ€—πŸ§΅❤

Dedicated to my dear sister, Amy who loved he Christmas season as much as I do.  I love and miss you so much.. Love you , Amo. 

Down Christmas Memory Lane Questions: 

 1. As a child did you have a real tree or a fake tree and what was your favorite memories of it?

2. Did you hang stockings as a child and do you hang them now? 

3. What was your favorite Christmas book growing up and did you enjoy coloring books?

4. As a child when did your family put up your Christmas tree and when do you put it up now?

5. What were some of your favorite Christmas movies or cartoons as a youngin' ? How about as an adult'?

6. Was the 5 and Dime store a special place to visit during the Christmas season as a child? 




35 comments:

  1. When I was younger, we always had a real tree - sometimes we'd go with them to pick it out - sometimes it was just dad - he had to have the perfect tree! We had tinsel on it until we had a dog and he started to eat it - no more! And we always had the Santa Fe railroad going around it. We now have an artificial tree for the rv - a small one for the front. Always had a big one when the kids lived at home. Even had one in my room!
    Stockings were with the presents - my mom knitted them. Later I quilted stockings for the grands.
    Don't remember a favorite book but I did love to color - still do with the grands.
    5 and 10 - Woolworths - the best place to buy gifts for mom and dad when I was young!
    My mom and dad put up the tree about a week before Christmas - these days, we decorate the day after Thanksgiving - it comes down early this year as we'll be traveling to see our daughter.
    My favorite movies as a kid were the old reliables like you listed. These days my fave is The Nativity Story - dh's is Die Hard...LOL!
    Sorry so long! Blessings!

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    1. Oh, Donna it was such a treat to read about your Christmas memories. Lol I got tickled that the dog would eat the tinsel. I had never thought of that. You brought back the memory that my Granny bought us a little train set to put under my 1st tree. I wondered if you had a little tree in your RV and if you decorated . I bet your tree is so sweet and festive. Oh I just loved Woolworths but that was in the city and we rarely got to go there and I never remember going during Christmas time . Lol Die Hard. Yep I could see that being Mr. Pinker's favorite too. Hee! Hee! . Thank you so much for playing along, Donna. It was a joy.

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  2. What a lovely post! Those stockings your Mom made are just beautiful. I have so many memories like yours. We always had a real tree that we picked out from our tiny grocery store, and we picked them out a few days before Christmas. One year it was the day before Christmas! Mom had Christmas balls and a little blue bell that I still have, and we always "threw" tinsel on the tree. Since we've been married, we put the tree up earlier and earlier - lol!

    We had a beautiful mantel on the fireplace but no stockings. We received a net stocking filled with old fashioned candy and fruit at the Christmas party at our little Methodist church.

    My favorite book is actually one I bought for our kids in the 1980s - Cross Country Cat. I still love that book!

    It's A Wonderful Life and Holiday Inn are my favorite Christmas movies.

    We called our 5 and dime "the Roberts' 5 cent store", and it was always a great place to visit. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts were an older couple (probably younger than I am now!) who were very kind.

    Thank you for this trip down memory lane Melisa!

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    1. It was such a delight to read your trip down memory lane, Linda. I had not heard of Cross Country Cat and found a reading of the book on Youtube. How darling. I will have to add this book to my children's book collection. What a treasure to have your mom's blue Christmas bell. Do you display it during Christmas? I got tickled when you said you threw the tinsel on the tree. I think that is the best way to apply the tinsel. Wasn't it fun? Lol. Thank you so much for sharing such warm memories. It was such a joy. Hugs.

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  3. I enjoyed reading your stroll down memory lane, Melisa.

    1. While we lived with my grandparents (until I was 9), we had a real tree. When we moved to Virginia, the tree was artificial. Still artificial as I developed allergies around 14-15.

    2. The stockings were propped up by the fireplace at my grandparents, then under the tree in the house from 9 until I got married. Since we exchange stockings, they are now perched on the couch.

    3. I loved coloring books.

    4. Mom always put up the tree after Thanksgiving while we were at school. Now, it typically goes up after Dec. 10th or so.

    5. I loved Charlie Brown, Rudolph, Frosty, and all the others growing up. It was a treat to be able to stay up and watch them. Still love those along with The Santa Clause, The Bishop's Wife, and others.

    6. While living with my grandparents, going to the 5 and dime was always fun at Christmas time.

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    1. Oh, Robin, I bet you have so many warm memories of Christmas at your grandparents. I really like the idea of exchanging stockings each year. I can imagine how much fun you have finding sweet gifts to place in those stockings. I haven't stuffed stockings since my daughters left home. I loved Charlie Brown too, and The Santa Clause. I have not seen The Bishop's Wife. I will have to put that on my agenda to watch. Thank you so much for sharing your sweet Christmas memories. You brought a smile to my day. Hugs.

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  4. Even though you and I grew up in entirely different parts of the country, many of our traditions and memories are so similar! So fun to read about all of yours, Melisa. The story of Twas the Night Before Christmas is a favorite, and I have it memorized, too. When I was in high school, my choir sang the story, and I can still sing it! :) Happy, merry Christmas season to you!

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    1. Aaah that just warms my heart to hear, Diann. I hope this post brought lots of fond Christmas memories. I bet you saw a lot of white Christmases too. I have only seen one in 2010. Oh I can imagine that was a delightful performance ; I have never heard the story sung before. How sweet! Have a very Merry Christmas and thank you so much for sharing such a warm memory. Hugs.

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  5. Such fun memories! My fondest memories are of putting up the Christmas tree, that was a big deal to my mother. She made an event out of it each year. When she called me my first year of grad school to ask if I could come home for the weekend to put up the tree. I couldn't go, it was finals week and I really, really needed to study. I was heartbroken all weekend, but I at least passed my exams.

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    1. Aaaah , I can just imagine that your Mom's enthusiasm and excitement made putting up the tree even more special for all of you. It makes a world of difference when someone puts there heart and soul into it. I am so glad that you didn't let the worry and sadness affect your exams . The first time away from family events is hard . I remember my 1st birthday in college away from the family. Not the same. Lol. Thank you so much for sharing such a sweet memory, Kate . Hugs.

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  6. Hi Melisa,
    We always had a fake tree, my parents had beautiful glass ornaments…. Unfortunately dad never put them away carefully so I have nothing but memories of them.
    As a child our tree went up December 8 and came down after the Epiphany (being Italian the epiphany was a big holiday)
    We had no handmade ornaments that’s all me, mom wasn’t very creative in that sense.
    I now try to hold off until after thanksgiving to put up my tree😁
    I love keeping in touch with you, ♥️♥️πŸŽ„πŸŽ„♥️♥️

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    1. Aaah I just your childhood trees were enchanting! I have always had an affection for glass ornaments but we rarely had those. Lol I got tickled when you said your dad never put them up carefully. That sound like my sis. But I am so glad that you have memories of those ornaments. I imagine you had a grand Christmas with lots of food and family. Thank you so much for sharing your sweet memories. It warms my heart. Hugs.

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  7. Thank you very much for sharing your memories, Melisa!
    I am going to dare to share mine, even though we live in different countries with different traditions.
    1.- We had a fake tree and I remember that my mother put huge balls on it. My sister and I got very close and laughed when we saw our deformed faces on the round, mirrored surface.
    2.- We are not in the habit of hanging socks for Santa
    3.- I adored and adore stories or coloring! My favorite Christmas story is Charles Dickens' Christmas Carol.
    4.- In Seville the Christmas decoration is put up from December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) to January 6 (Epiphany Festival when the Three Wise Men leave gifts).
    5.- We love watching Christmas-themed movies and Love Actually is my favorite.
    6.- We don't have that store here but we love Christmas markets.

    Hugs from Seville

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    1. Oh Isabel, it was such a treat to read your Christmas traditions in your country. I can just imagine how fun you and your sister must have had enjoying the Christmas tree decorations. Do you still have some of your Mom's Christmas ornaments? I have never heard of "Love Actually" I will have to see if I can locate it. It sounds interesting. I bet the markets were amazing to visit during the holidays ; I bet they are very festive and buzzing with activity. Thank you so much for sharing such fond memories. Hugs

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  8. I should do those. I loved reading yours and found some similarities with them.

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    1. Oh thank you so much, dear Susan. I always enjoy this time of the year and I particularly enjoy looking back at Christmas past. I wish you a wonderful evening and a very Merry Christmas . Hugs. 

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  9. I love this post today!! Your childhood Christmas sound very similar to mine in many ways!! Mom loved Christmas and made it very special with homemade ornamets... many of which are still on my tree, I am trying to keep many of these things going with my Grands!!

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    1. Oh thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear. What a treasure to still have your Mom's handmade ornaments on your tree. I bet they are a joy and bring back so many fond memories each year that you bring them out. It is so special that you continue this tradition with your grandbabes. You are making memories that they will cherish forever. I make ornaments with mine too. They have already asked this year when we are making them which just tugged at my heart. Being a grandma is the best isn't it? Thank you again for sharing such a sweet warm memory. Merry Christmas. Hugs.

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  10. Wonderful post! Growing up in VA we always had a real tree. We actually used real nylon hose/stockings for Santa to fill with an apple and orange to open up the toe. Kind of funny. I remember The Night Before Christmas and A Christmas Carol and Frosty the Snowman cartoons.

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    1. Aaah thank you so much, Betty. I bet you found the best trees in VA. Did y'all cut your own or visit a tree farm? I just loved that y'all used a real nylon stocking for Santa! - How sweet. Weren't those the best Christmas cartoons? I wish they still made Christmas specials like that don't you? Thank you again, Betty for sharing. You have given me an idea of using an old sock and making a stocking. I think that would be darling. Merry Christmas. Hugs.

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  11. 1. We had a real tree that we had a permit to cut from the forest. Trudging to find THE one was fun. The trees were always "unique." My dad would delete, insert branches to make it look great.
    2. We also didn't have a chimney; but, our stockings were placed near the tree. They were always filled the following morning. We had a mandarin orange, nuts in the shell and a candy cane in addition to more personal items. . .usually underwear. My mom made the felt stockings. We have a chimney and we hang our stockings still. They still get filled. . .instead of an orange I often receive coffee! I made our stockings the first year we were married out of cotton fabric. . .there are no names on them.
    3. Twas the Night Before Christmas was my favorite book. I pined for a new coloring book and crayons; but, we didn't get coloring books. We rarely got a coloring book. As for the crayons, we would get a 24 pack at the start of the school year.
    4. Growing up, the week before Christmas. When the kids were here, after December 20 so that our youngest daughter could enjoy her birthday free of Christmas. Now, we put up an artificial tree (I'm allergic to real trees) the first of the month and the tree comes down New Year's Day.
    5. Rudolf. Now I try to watch It's a Wonderful Life.
    6. We didn't have a five and dime; but, we had an 88 cent store. What a great place to find affordable gifts!
    What a fun trip. Thanks for this post!---TerryK@OnGoingProjects

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    1. Terry, it was such a delight to read your sweet Christmas memories. Did you all decide together which tree to cut or did your dad have an idea of the perfect one? I got tickled when you said that sometimes underwear was in your stocking -Aaaaw not underwear. Lol. I got them too. Hee! Hee! I would have rather had the nuts and fruit. We also got the 24 pack of crayons to get a big pack of 64 was very rare. It is hard to have a birthday so close to Christmas . I am glad y'all find a way so your daughter could enjoy her special day . Oh yes- I love It's a Wonderful Life too. Thank you so much for playing along, Terry. We have a lot of similar and fond memories. You brought a smile to my day. Merry Christmas. Hugs.

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  12. What a fabulous post - Down Memory Lane!
    We lived with my maternal grandparents until I was 10 years old.
    1. A real tree while we were living with my grandparents. My my mother decided we needed a fake silver one with the light wheel - hated that tree! LOL
    2. Didn't have any stockings until I made my own Shepherd's Bush designed stocking almost 30 years ago.
    3. Sadly no favorite Christmas book. I am crazy about coloring books even at my ripe old age. LOL
    4. Don't recall when the tree was put up - possibly a week or two before Christmas.
    5. No favorite Christmas movie either. My grandmother watched all of them every year.
    6. Foster's 5 and Dime was my favorite - so many fun treats and treasures. After we moved to the 'big city' Woolworth's and TG&Y were major favorite stores.
    Thank you, Melisa for this post.

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    1. Oh, Darlene what warm Christmas memories. Aaah the fake silver tree - well after a real tree for so long, I can imagine you did not want an artificial. Lol. I bet your Shepherd Bush stockings are gorgeous. I have a few of their patterns but have yet to stitch them. I bet you have so many fond and cherished memories with your grandparents, Darlene. It was such a delight to read about them. Thank you so much for sharing. Merry Christmas . Hugs.

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  13. The anonymous post above was from me, Darlene J, Melisa.

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  14. Hello, my name is Janice. Down Christmas Memory Lane Questions:

    1. As a child did you have a real tree or a fake tree and what was your favorite memories of it? We never put up a Christmas tree. My parents were very poor & couldn't afford to buy gifts, trees, or anything for Christmas.

    2. Did you hang stockings as a child and do you hang them now? No, we did not hang stockings, but I have done it for my children & now my grandchildren.

    3. What was your favorite Christmas book growing up and did you enjoy coloring books? I did not have a favorite book growing up. I loved coloring pictures in school.

    4. As a child when did your family put up your Christmas tree and when do you put it up now? We did not have a Christmas tree when I was a child. I put mine up the first week of December now.

    5. What were some of your favorite Christmas movies or cartoons as a youngin' ? How about as an adult'? We did not watch TV as a child. My favorite Christmas movie/show now is Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

    6. Was the 5 and Dime store a special place to visit during the Christmas season as a child? I loved visiting the 5 & Dime with my grandmother when I was a child. She & I would walk to the store & she let me browse for a while, then she would buy me a "treat", as she called it.

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    1. Good evening, dear Janice. Aaw it was such a delight to read about your Christmas past. Reading about your Christmas made me think about my mom's Christmas and my Granny. She lived in a little log cabin and I guess was considered poor too, but she was rich in love and warmth. And those hugs sure made the visits special. You brought back fond memories of coloring pages in school for me too. I wonder if they still do things like that? It was always special to have coloring time wasn't it? Oh there was nothing like going to the 5 and dime with grandma. They always gave the little ones time to browse. Lol. Thank you for sharing, Janice and for bringing back memories for me as well. Merry Christmas, dear. Hugs.

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  15. What a lovely stroll down memory lane, Melisa!! 1. Like you, we also had sometimes real that we would hunt down in the woods and sometimes fake. The one I remember the most was the silver tinsel tree with the rotating tri-colored light that shown on it to change the colors! Sometimes we would put blue ornaments on it and sometimes red ornaments. I've always loved shiny! LOL 2. We didn't have a fire place so we never hung stockings growing up, but we do hang stockings now. I honestly think the grands love seeing what's in the stockings better than the presents! 3. I really don't remember a lot of Christmas books, except for the Night Before Christmas, which I loved! I've always enjoyed coloring books...and still do! 4. We didn't put up our Christmas tree until about two weeks before Christmas. For the past few years I have left me tree up year-round, just because I love looking at it, but I usually don't start turning the lights on until after Thanksgiving. 5. Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph and Charlie Brown Christmas as a kid. I still love Charlie Brown Christmas as an adult but I think my two all-time faves now are Home Alone and Christmas Vacation. 6. The (Elmore's) 5 and 10 store was always a special place to me. I still remember the smell of the oil wax on the floors. It was the same smell as in our elementary school!! I loved going in that store and touching all the goodies, trying to pick what I wanted! LOL I almost cried when they went out of business! The drug store was right next to it and they had a soda fountain/milk shake counter. Trips to town were special for this country girl! Have a great weekend, Melisa!

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    1. Oh ,Brenda, what warm Christmas memories as you strolled Down memory lane. It has just been in the last year or two that I have wanted one of those silver trees with the rotating wheels. Will I ever get one,? Probably not, but they sure look festive. I had forgot to mention, Charlie Brown Christmas- I loved it too. I wish it still came on. We had an Elmore's too. I did not know there was more than one. Come Easter time , they always had the colored chicks for sale . I always wanted a pink one. The little chicks never lived longer that a week though. You are so right -trips to town for a country girl was a treat. We rarely ever got to go to the soda fountains though. Thank you so much for sharing such sweet memories, Brenda. It was a joy . Merry Christmas , sweet friend. Hugs.

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  16. 1.We always had a real tree when I was growing up. I remember the tinsel. I loved the tinsel. The first time I saw a artificial tree was one of those silver trees with the rainbow wheel and I was mesmerized by it.
    2. I don't remember stockings growing up but I think we had them. I did stocking for my kids and still do them. My stocking now is a sock an online friend knitted and messed up on and didn't do a second one to match. She gave it to me and I love it. It's purple with white snowflakes on it.
    3.The Christmas Carol is my favorite holiday book and I love watching some version of it every year. I love to color, even now.
    4.My memory says we put the tree up mid-Dec. and kept it up til Epiphany. Now I tend to keep ours up til New Year's Day.
    5. I loved the cartoon with Burl Ives singing "Silver & Gold" in the Rudolph cartoon movie. I sing that song when I am putting on my silver & gold garland on my tree. Favorite movies? So many - White Christmas, Holiday Inn, It's a Wonderful Life, The Family Stone, This Christmas, and more.
    6.Vordahl's was our 5 & Dime when I was growing up. That's where I bought my embroidery floss and pre-printed pillowcases and learned other fun, crafty things from things I found there. Plus, the penny candy was fun. Visiting a store at Christmas has to be the Crescent store and their special holiday display every year. It was a moving diorama and was always a special trip downtown to see it. The lights at night were always so much more special downtown to my eyes as a child. We still visit certain neighborhoods every year to see amazing displays.
    Thank you, Melisa, for this walk down Memory Lane. It made me almost teary!

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    1. Aaw , you have so many fond Christmas memories, Ginny and I am so grateful that you shared them with me. I do not remember the silver trees as a kid. I guess Mom must have ordered her artificial tree from Sears because there were few stores here, but I know I would have wanted a silver tree if I saw one. I got tickled when you mentioned Burl Ives because that is who I play all December . Silver & Gold is one of my favorites and "Holly Jolly Christmas". It sounds like you lived in a very festive neighborhood during Christmas time. We go out to see Christmas lights now throughout the neighborhoods, but I do not remember lights as a child except for 1 neighbor who always put blue lit candles in her windows. After decades, this is the 1st year that I have seen her change the candle color to red . It warms my heart that you shared such fond memories, Ginny. You brought back memories for me as well. It is funny how certain things will spark a memory. Thank you so much for strolling down memory lane with me. Merry Christmas, sweet friend. Hugs.

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  17. Wow so many nice memories! When my daughter was little, she’s now 21, I bought a large Christmas coloring book. We would lay under the tree and color while watching a Christmas show. I had her sign and date the page. We now have a full Christmas coloring book full of memories!

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    1. Aaah that is such a wonderful memory, Dawn . I will have to tell my daughter about that and maybe she will do the same with her sons. I bet it is so much fun to look back at the coloring book .Does your daughter like to look back at it? My girls get a kick out of the fact that I saved their coloring pages and school work. They always laugh but they look back fondly. Lol. Thank you so much for sharing, Dawn. I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Hugs.

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  18. What a lovely post, Melisa! I loved reading about your Christmas memories! I was born in Brazil, things were different there. I lived at my grandparents house with my mom and sister until I was four years old. I remember at Christmas leaving our shoes by our hammocks(yes, that was were we sleep in northeast Brazil that time) or on the window. In the morning we would have a small toy. My family was, still is, very religious. Religious events were the main part of Christmas. I remember they had "novenas" and the baby Jesus was taken to a different house every night. One time I had the baby secured with elastic on my hands, because it was my turn to take him from my Grandma's to the house that was hosting that night.
    When we moved to Sao Paulo to live with my Dad, he got my Mom a sewing machine. At the store they were giving silver Christmas trees to all that got a sewing machine. That was our first tree, it lasted many years. I remember how those glass ornaments broke easily. We never had many presents, we were poor, and my Dad was nor big on these things. I remember getting a doll one year and a tea set on another, from the party at the factory where he worked. After the silver tree got very bad, we had many Christmas without a tree, what was quite common there, and later my Mom got a real one on a pot that we would bring in every year. Later as a teen, when I started working, I got a little fake tree, and later, a bigger one.
    After getting married and living in America, I always have a fake tree.
    We live modestly, but I always try to make Christmas magical for my daughter. She is 19 now, but when she was little she had all the Christmas magic one could hope for. I love decorating for Christmas, so we did Christmas crafts together, we went to Christmas events at Church and the community, went to the local mall to see the decorations, we watched lots of movies and cartoons, we baked cookies, we have stockings, lots of presents, we have fun. We have a collection of Christmas books. We love the Jan Brett ones and many others. I think our favorite is a Fisher Price one with little peek windows to find hidden things, I remember how much fun our little Brenda had opening those little windows every Christmas. Our family loves The Christmas Carol movie, we have the same one you have. It is hard to pick our favorites, there are so many. We love Eloise at Christmas time, Jingle all the Way, Elf, The Holiday, Christmas for a Dollar, the classic cartoons, and many more. This Wednesday we will watch "The Christmas Card" and make the food from the movie: Chicken salad sandwich, curly fries, and hot cocoa with marshmallows.
    This year most presents under the tree were purchased by my daugther, she went a little overboard for Mom and Dad. Dad got tickets for a couple of plays for us to go as a family, that was what my daugther wanted. She is getting other things too, and the magic still going.

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    1. Good evening, dear Ana. Oh my it was a delight to read about your childhood Christmas in Brazil and to learn of the traditions . Such warm memories of living with your grandparents and then for your mom later to buy her 1st sewing machine and to receive a silver tree as well. I bet there was so much excitement within the family. Do you still have your little doll that you received as a child? Dolls were my favorites. I can feel the love and excitement that you have for the Christmas season. It does sound like the holidays were quite enchanting for your daughter as well. All of the fun activities, movies and crafts- just delightful. I love Jan Brett books as well. I just purchased The Gingerbread Man and have it under my tree. And oh I forgot The Christmas Card. I watch it every year , but have not watched it this year. What a great idea to make the meal from the diner . Oh yes and Eloise- she is a hoot! It certainly sounds like this Christmas is going to be magical; there is nothing wrong with going overboard and making those wonderful memories with your family. You brought a warm smile to my day. Thank you so much for sharing. I wish you and your family many blessings and joy during this holiday season. Merry Christmas, Ana. Hugs.

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