[ANNE]

When I was growing up Christmas was Christmas back then. We would go Carol singing with the Brownies a few days before. Then came the visit to Santa's grotto. In those days they were magical places to visit. it was usually Owen & Owens we would go to.
Christmas Eve us kids would go to bed at seven leaving a cup of tea and a mince pie out for Father Christmas and carrot for Rudolph. Wewould fall asleep convinsed we could hear the sleigh bells.
We never had stockings or pillowcases but would wake up to find a stocking full of plastic toys at the bottom of the bed.
At five or sooner we would creep down stairs and find our presants in little piles against the living room wall.
After Christmas dinner we would get ready to go to my nanna's for tea, after the Queen's speach of course. She would always have the same Table cloth get out her best china and glass dishes.
We would have salmon butties and triffle. Ah, those were the day's when Christmas was Christmas.
A time of Carol's, Christmas cheer and magic.