Advent Theme

When I was small we went to Church on Christmas day if it was on a Sunday. The Advent Sunday’s were regularly attended. When I became an adult I started attending the Christmas Eve service. This service was particularly peaceful and joyous. The lighting and music in the church was uplifting. After the service I would take a walk through town in the cold night air. It was serene and hushed since not many people were out and the street decorations were lit and sparkling. When I got home hot chocolate was made and the movie “A Christmas Carol” was turned on.

©2010 – Blair Archival Research

In our family Christmas shopping was always done early to avoid the rush. My Dad usually ended up going to the mall on Christmas Eve but that was to pick up a box of Laura Secord’s French Frosted Mint chocolates for my Mum.

Shopping was different forty years ago. Shops were not open seven days a week and were not open really late at night either. You could not shop 24/7 online but you could order from catalogues. I remember the Sear’s Wish Book arriving on the door step and things being ordered from it.

©2010 – Blair Archival Research

My Christmas stocking was always put at the foot of my bed. I could only open my stocking when I woke up in the wee hours of Christmas morning and had to stay in my own room, although my brother and I sometimes would go into each other’s room. There was always a mandarin orange, a chocolate Santa, a roll of film and in the very bottom of the stocking a quarter.

At one point it developed a hole in the sole and I rather expertly (?) mended it. I still have my original Christmas stocking.

©2010 – Blair Archival Research