Web Page 3087 22nd December 2023 Happy Christmas to all of you First Picture: Harrods at Christmas

Second Picture; Selfridges window

Third Picture: 1950’s Christmas Book

Fourth Picture: Christmas at Home

Had this sent to me during the year:- How Christmas has changed since our childhood. I don’t ever recall making demands on my parents for particular presents under the tree, we were always grateful for what we received. The magic started on the late afternoon of Christmas Eve, we as a family, would take the bus to town where we would go to the Ships in Meadow Street and Deacons in Charlotte Street for our fruit and vegetables. We would buy our Christmas Tree in the market and then would go to the meat lorry for a piece of pork and a capon. The shopping was always left till late as the stalls had to clear their stock by the end of the day or throw it away, so you could buy a string of sprouts for next to nothing and they were literally the first BOGOF known, as a pound of carrots would turn into two or three, they would give you as much as you could carry and more. (this practice changed in later years when most of the stall holders owned shops in Portsmouth, so the left over produce was kept until they opened again. (refrigeration had been become common by then). We then struggled with all our bags and the tree back onto the bus to take us home. Try that today and you would be told to walk. The tree was set up and decorated during the evening and yes we had real candles on our tree, plastic decorations and real glass baubles, we also hung chocolates on the tree and put a fairy on the top, then off to bed before Santa came. On Christmas morning we would find a stocking, aka a pillow case, at the end of the bed filled with goodies. I wouldn’t be far wrong when I say it contained:- A magic drawing pad (when you scribbled lightly over the page a picture appeared) in later years this was exchanged for a colouring book and crayons or colouring pencils. A pretty picture tin of Bluebird toffees. A small stocking of fresh peanuts and raisins. A Clementine or Mandarin Orange. An annual (the first ones were always Rupert the Bear advancing to the Robin and the Swift, then on to Girl) There was usually some form of clothing such as a bobble hats and scarves, socks, gloves and if you were really lucky a cardigan or jumper. Usually, a Dinky toy or animals for the farmyard set. There would be a board game or a small pack of cards and a simple toy that would have cost only a penny or two. Of course Santas present was always left under the tree to be opened in front of all the family. And we were always very happy with our lot. Maureen Writes:- I had an envelope of things to give to you but left them in Cornwall but one thing I will share with you as it is the appropriate time of year. I have a booklet from Christmas 1958 with Lyons Christmas Fare. It opens out into an 8 page banner advertising goodies for Christmas as follows: Lyons Christmas Puddings 2lb in foil wrapper     6s 6d 1lb in foil wrapper     3s 6d 5lb 12oz rich fruit cake with almond paste and decorated 30s 0d 3lb 11oz rich fruit cake with almond paste and decorated 21s 0d 2lb 15oz rich fruit cake with almond paste and decorated 16s 6d Dundee Cakes 16s 6d     12s 6d      8s 6d Tin of petit fours       9s 0d per tin Chocolate Walnut layer cake   9s 6d On the other side of the banner are 8 Christmas Carols and 10 party games Have a wonderful Christmas and stay in touch Peter