Charades, sing-songs… and measles!

Elizabeth McGinty remembers the Christmas of ‘65 in the family’s council flat

Wake up, wake up. Santa’s been,” one of my sisters would whisper. There were three of us sleeping in the same room and we’d slip into our dressing gowns and slippers, open our parents’ bedroom door to waken them, then follow my father into the living room to feast our eyes on our treasures.

I was the baby of the family so last in the pecking order of choosing where Santa should leave my gifts. They were never left under the tree, mainly because we lived in a top-floor council flat and only ever had a small artificial table-top tree. Instead, my sisters Sandra and Carol and me each chose a chair where we left our note for Santa.

Paper decorations criss-crossed the ceiling in garish orange and purple. Tinsel twinkled around the mirror and the Christmas tree had home-made decorations and lights with an angel on top. We’d have one ‘big’ gift plus a book or annual, a new outfit and some sweets. One year I received a red tricycle – that was the year I caught measles. On Christmas Day I was confined to bed in a darkened room with my gift from Santa just out of reach. I recall my father tenderly lifting me on to the saddle and allowing me to ride around the room.

I benefited from my sisters working while I was still a child, resulting in another two presents for me. I especially remember my eldest sister taking me to town to see the Christmas lights and into Lewis’s store where I fell in love with a doll on display. She

was beautiful, with long hair tinted with white and lilac. What a delight when she appeared on Christmas morning. I named her Heather and loved her so much! My two spinster aunts lived in the flat below us and always joined us for Christmas dinner. My mother provided a traditional, but simple, meal – lentil soup made with a big piece of ham, followed by turkey with roast potatoes

‘I was the baby, so last in the pecking order of where Santa should leave our gifts’

and Brussels sprouts, then trifle and mince pies. The washing-up fell to us girls, while the adults snoozed.

We made our own entertainment; newspapers and magazines printed quizzes or puzzles leading up to the holiday period and we eagerly participated in these on Christmas night, provoking tears and laughter in equal measure. Another favourite was charades. Once dinner had been digested it was time for a sing-song and everyone had their party piece to perform.

After a long day I fell into bed exhausted, but looking forward to exchanging stories with my friends on what Santa had delivered. Boxing Day dinner was held in my aunts’ home, so we got to do it all again!