While trying to get in the mood for Xmas this year I've been thinking back to other Christmas times - looking at particularly nice ones and trying to work out what were the magic ingredients.
If you could go back and re-live one particular Xmas in your life which would it be and why?
Mine would be Xmas 1974 when I was 11 years old. We went round to my maternal Grand-mother's for the day. There was a full turkey lunch which started at one and went on for ages, crackers were pulled and the Queen's speech watched -pretty much the same as in many house-holds up and down the country. We had Nanny's famous sherry trifle and played Bingo. Ate chocs and dates and nuts.
As well as me, sister Denise, mum & dad and Grand-parents, there were also quite a few of my great-aunts and uncles too.
I had received a telescope and Patrick Moore book for Xmas (educational stuff for me always) and my sister one of those large dolls heads with make-up and accessories to do it's hair. She spent most of the afternoon doing that and then finally i got Nanny's musical jewelery box out and made Denise up with her play make-up and covered her in jewels -there was a lovely photo of her but it got thrown out.
Both the living-room and front parlour had fires lit and there was a great atmosphere -even if it probably doesn't sound that exciting....
I've worked out that it's the people who were that made it a special time.
Time to start thinking who I can invite this year!
