We had lovely glass toys and tin candle holders which dripped on the branches.
I remember I used to hang up a pillowcase when I went to bed on Christmas Eve and it was always full of toys, sweets and games on Christmas morning. I had a lot of aunties and uncles, so I got lots of presents. I used to take scissors to bed with me because all the presents were wrapped up in brown paper and string (no Sellotape or fancy wrapping paper).
All the family went to an auntie’s for tea on Christmas day, there were twenty people altogether, so she had two sittings. Christmas tea included salad, home-made cakes and Christmas cake. Afterwards we played games like charades and miming games. Lots of people made garlands and streamers for decorations to hang across the room. We had a real Christmas tree (I’m not sure if artificial ones were in then). We had lovely glass toys and tin candle holders which dripped on the branches.
I remember my Dad doing his Christmas shopping at 9:00 o’clock at night. The shops were open until midnight. My friend worked at Harold Smurthwaite’s green grocery shop. I remember when she finished work at twelve one night, she delivered orders on her way home. Over Christmas the Salvation Army used to go around the streets playing carols and collecting money. When I look back they were very happy days and it cost a fraction of what we spend today.