Thursday, December 27, 2012

“Taking Christmas”




This post will be the last in what has unintentionally turned into a series of little stories about some of the traditions – long past now – that were unique to the area in which I grew up. Insofar as I know, this one, which we called “taking Christmas,” may be unique to my very large extended family, or to this region. I would be interested to know if others upheld this tradition, perhaps known by another name, or no name at all.

Credit: christmasspiritsshop.com

The term “taking Christmas” simply referred to the round of visits that began Dec. 26 and continued until just after the New Year began. In a convoluted way, perhaps it is analogous to The Twelve Days of Christmas with a secular twist.

The kids were out of school and it was certainly a way to entertain them, as there weren't many other diversions available. I’m sure the women also were ready for a change after all the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas. As for the men, they enjoyed the visits as well and they didn't have to do a darn thing but show up!

Visits were most often among family members, but often also included hospitality with close neighbors as well.

Credit: infomercantile.com

Our extended family was quite large, as both my mother and father were one of eight. Mother’s oldest sisters had children the same age or older than her, and by the time all of them had THEIR children -- well, there were many children around! 

Christmas was perhaps the only time such large numbers were invited into homes for a meal and socializing.

It started on Christmas Day at my grandmother’s house, where there could be as many as 50-75 people congregated under one roof. There would be much talk that day of the upcoming scheduled visits, both day and evening gatherings. The women and children congregated during the day, and husbands were included in the evening events. Are you still with me?

Toni doll just like I received one year at Christmas. You could give her a Toni hair permanent!
Credit: collectdolls.about.com

This was an exciting time for us children, because it gave us the opportunity to take our newly acquired toys for a “show and tell” with our cousins. We would drag along our dolls, games and other treasures that Santa Claus had brought.

Houses would be filled to capacity; the women buzzing around in the kitchens laying out the food; the men sitting around living rooms laughing and talking; the girl children in bedrooms comparing dolls and laying tiny tables for tea parties; the boys in another part of the house racing little trucks and cars that Santa brought; and teenagers in yet another room spinning 45 RPM records and swooning over the latest Rock n' Roll sensation.

It was a common things that boys were dressed in Roy Rogers or Lone Ranger cowboy suits and girls in majorette outfits and twirling their batons.
In the 1950s all little boys seemed to want a cowboy outfit and toy gun from Santa Claus.
Credit: ebay.com

As I recall, no cook arrived empty handed, bringing along pans of chicken and dressing, chicken and dumplings, cooked greens, a cake or pie and a jar or relish or pickle canned during the summer months.

Tables groaned from the weight of all that abundance of food, but there were many people to feed. Rarely was there space to eat around the tables in dining rooms and kitchens and plates would be filled and taken to other rooms, to be balanced precariously on laps while eating.

Men first, children second and women last is my memory of the order in which people filed around tables to fill plates. Often the women would make spaces for themselves around tables once everyone had cleared out.

There was never any shortage of sweets, because back in the 1950s, and certainly for many decades prior to that time, the woman of the family spent days cooking and baking for Christmas. I recall that my mother baked five or six large layer cakes – fresh coconut, fruitcake, jam cake, German chocolate and orange date nut. Pies prepared included chocolate, coconut, pecan, chess and egg custard.

Housewife decorating a cake in the 1950s
Credit: slv.vic.gov.au.

Now I understand why so many cakes and pies were baked, as the eating  occurred often and lasted for many days!

Music was usually a part of these celebrations. Most homes had a piano and many children and some adults would play Christmas carols and the group would sing along. Sometimes a guitar, mandolin or fiddle would be brought and the men would “make music.” That would turn into a “toe-stomping good time!”

It was a time for sharing and having a good time before the reality of winter set in and children returned to school. Memories made on these occasions could keep you warm throughout the long spell about to begin.

So many memories; so many of the ones no longer with us: Daddy, Mommie Howell, Grandmother and Grandaddy Trousdale, Uncle Buster, Aunt Sister, Aunt Jewel, Aunt Myrtle, Uncle Luster, Aunt Marge, Millinea, Uncle James, Uncle Roy, Aunt Ludie, Lela, Madge and Ivy, Wilton and George, Arlon and Delsey, and oh so many others!

And not forgotten are the ones from my generation who left us too soon and before their time: Martha, Yvonne, Tommy Jr., Chesley Jr., Cheryl.

These are memories of times that seem (and were!) so long ago. Soon the 60s would be upon us and the times they were a-changing, to paraphrase Bob Dylan. But I’m glad I was a part of the experience described above, when a good time was had by all in a very simple way.

Did your family -- in the past or now -- have such family gatherings? If so, what are your best memories?

12 comments:

  1. Your description was so good, that I really got the " feeling of party ".
    The largest gathering of relatives over here were at the times my aunts and uncles from my father´s side arranged parties, but the amount of guests was not THAT large. And only the house arranging the party offered the food and all. But each family had it´s turn, as everyone´s birthday was celebrated with lots of food, goodies and drinks.

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    1. These days I cannot imagine all those parties with so many people! I would be a "nervous wreck" if I had to entertain so many people. Times were so different then; people looked forward to such gatherings because they didn't have much else to do.

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  2. What wonderful Christmas fun you had belonging to such a large,loving family + all those traditions,you describe them so well you can feel the warmth. Ida

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    1. It was nice growing up in a large extended family and sometimes I miss the "old days" when people seemed to enjoy simple things more. Time marches on, however.

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  3. As always, you write so evocatively of times gone by, bringing back your memories and stirring up my own. Your large extended family sounds just fantastic, and I can really imagine those gatherings. I do remember the popular cowboy thing, too, very big in the 50s. We did a lot of family visiting around this time, with similar foods, but not so many people.

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    1. I got to thinking about every boy child wanting to be a cowboy and toy gun back then and thought, "oh my, is this why some in the U.S. have such a fascination with/have to own guns???" That "cowboy mentality" that was created at a young age?? Food for thought and we'll let the psychologists figure it out.

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  4. What a store of wonderful memories you have. Our extended family wasn't that large but still big enough for a houseful. Most of our holiday gatherings were done on or before Christmas but there was always a big family picnic at the park "behind the Butte" every summer. Potluck and the kids could run wild.

    Darla

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    1. Lucky that you could hold your gatherings outdoors, as so many people were hard to fit into a house!

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  5. Good memories. We would be worn out by the time we made the "rounds" to all houses at Christmas. I remember it being so quite, dark and lonely after all the festivities were past but at the same time glad to get back into a routine. Just so glad we don't do all that now - I too would be a nervous wreck but back in those days when folks didn't have a lot of things in their home, it was easier and the belief was "the more the merrier". A good memory!

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    1. I think we were glad to get back in school. Good memories, yes, but some things are better left in the past. And times are so different now that I don't think these large gatherings would work out so well.

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  6. My favorite part of our family gatherings was the food. Maybe it's the area I grew up in, but there were no little boy cowboys. Two reasons - the outfits were fairly expensive, and children were not supposed to be too comfortable with guns. But we loved our dolls!

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    1. Ah yes, the food! Wow, surprised there were not many little cowboys, and in California! I just can't remember that we thought there was a bad association with these toy guns -- that little boys might grow up and use them -- that it was just toys and they were mimicking the movies they saw (Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey and the like).

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