Christmas Day
For some the best day of the year, for others a day of sadness and loneliness. For me Christmas Day has always had its own magic - firstly as a child with all the wonders of Santa Claus, then as a young adult and married man, then through the eyes of my sons as they grew up and now through the eyes of my grandchildren. Over the past 43 years I have kept a daily diary and the following descriptions of Christmas Days are taken from entries written at the time. Nothing was recorded on paper before 1973. Since 1973 Christmas Days have been spent either in Norfolk or Yorkshire.
For some the best day of the year, for others a day of sadness and loneliness. For me Christmas Day has always had its own magic - firstly as a child with all the wonders of Santa Claus, then as a young adult and married man, then through the eyes of my sons as they grew up and now through the eyes of my grandchildren. Over the past 43 years I have kept a daily diary and the following descriptions of Christmas Days are taken from entries written at the time. Nothing was recorded on paper before 1973. Since 1973 Christmas Days have been spent either in Norfolk or Yorkshire.
1973 - Norwich
Christmas Day. I woke up at 9.15 when mum came into the room to tell me that Ken Milburn had called on Christmas Eve. Opened my presents to find a box of Quality Street, a box of licorice allsorts and a Papermate pen and some money. At 12 I went for a drink with Mike to the Cottage and returned home at 1 p.m for Christmas Dinner. Spent the afternoon watching TV (Black and White Minstrels, Billy Smarts Circus, Top of the Pops, Dick Whittington and the Generation Game). Nanny Steward, Grandad and Ethel came round to tea. That made four visitors for the day - Jean from next door came round in the morning. George came round at 7.45 and we went out. The County Council club was closed as was City Supporters and we ended up at the Cottage. Soon left and went back to Georges and played Monopoly, chess and ruler cricket. Got home at 11.30 p.m. Wrote the diary and then went to bed at 11.50 p.m.
Marks 7.0
Christmas Day. I woke up at 9.15 when mum came into the room to tell me that Ken Milburn had called on Christmas Eve. Opened my presents to find a box of Quality Street, a box of licorice allsorts and a Papermate pen and some money. At 12 I went for a drink with Mike to the Cottage and returned home at 1 p.m for Christmas Dinner. Spent the afternoon watching TV (Black and White Minstrels, Billy Smarts Circus, Top of the Pops, Dick Whittington and the Generation Game). Nanny Steward, Grandad and Ethel came round to tea. That made four visitors for the day - Jean from next door came round in the morning. George came round at 7.45 and we went out. The County Council club was closed as was City Supporters and we ended up at the Cottage. Soon left and went back to Georges and played Monopoly, chess and ruler cricket. Got home at 11.30 p.m. Wrote the diary and then went to bed at 11.50 p.m.
Marks 7.0
1974 - Norwich
Christmas day and when it was over I was not too unhappy to see the back of it. Not that there was anything bad about it. Got up at 10 a.m when I heard mum opening her presents. I then listened to a Demis Roussos album that John had bought me. Then I had a slow bath and got ready which took the time to 12.30 p.m when myself and dad picked John Andrews up and went down to the Globe. The place hadn't changed much but with dad there it was slightly hard work. Judy was very friendly but I felt held back from having a good laugh. I am not sure if it was the amount I had to drink or the large meal but after dinner I felt very tired and bloated. That feeling soon went, however, and as far as activity was concerned that was the end of the matter. Spent the rest of the day just watching television before going to bed at 1.15 a.m
Marks 6.5
Christmas day and when it was over I was not too unhappy to see the back of it. Not that there was anything bad about it. Got up at 10 a.m when I heard mum opening her presents. I then listened to a Demis Roussos album that John had bought me. Then I had a slow bath and got ready which took the time to 12.30 p.m when myself and dad picked John Andrews up and went down to the Globe. The place hadn't changed much but with dad there it was slightly hard work. Judy was very friendly but I felt held back from having a good laugh. I am not sure if it was the amount I had to drink or the large meal but after dinner I felt very tired and bloated. That feeling soon went, however, and as far as activity was concerned that was the end of the matter. Spent the rest of the day just watching television before going to bed at 1.15 a.m
Marks 6.5
1975 - Yorkshire
Christmas Day ... and what a nice one. By the time we woke up it was something after 9 a.m before we rose and started opening our presents. I had a lovely lot from Anne including a super calculator and Mastermind etc and then later on in the day we opened all our presents from my relations. Anne and Sandra went to church after breakfast whilst myself and Jim listened to records and then got the dinner ready. Dinner was very nice and we had a good old discussion. Afterwards spent some time playing Mastermind and then it was time to leave. We drove a few yards round the road to see some acquaintances. There the whole place was in chaos so we got out quick and drove back to a full house at Knottingley. By the time we had shown everyone our presents it was tea time and then after that I spent the early evening playing various games with all the children. At 8.30 p.m myself and Anne decided to go for a walk as she still had some presents to deliver to an uncle and aunt. We spent a good while there watching TV and drinking before coming home again and spending the rest of the evening watching television before going to bed. A very happy and enjoyable Christmas Day spoilt only by my nasty cold. It's great to be back with Anne and my feelings towards her grow stronger every day.
Marks 8.5
Christmas Day ... and what a nice one. By the time we woke up it was something after 9 a.m before we rose and started opening our presents. I had a lovely lot from Anne including a super calculator and Mastermind etc and then later on in the day we opened all our presents from my relations. Anne and Sandra went to church after breakfast whilst myself and Jim listened to records and then got the dinner ready. Dinner was very nice and we had a good old discussion. Afterwards spent some time playing Mastermind and then it was time to leave. We drove a few yards round the road to see some acquaintances. There the whole place was in chaos so we got out quick and drove back to a full house at Knottingley. By the time we had shown everyone our presents it was tea time and then after that I spent the early evening playing various games with all the children. At 8.30 p.m myself and Anne decided to go for a walk as she still had some presents to deliver to an uncle and aunt. We spent a good while there watching TV and drinking before coming home again and spending the rest of the evening watching television before going to bed. A very happy and enjoyable Christmas Day spoilt only by my nasty cold. It's great to be back with Anne and my feelings towards her grow stronger every day.
Marks 8.5
1977 - Yorkshire
Christmas Day and I must admit this year I had a nice load of presents, apart from the customary shirt from ---- that is really a waste of time because I don't even like them. Being Christmas, myself and Anne opened most of our presents in bed and then I got up early at 8.30 a.m. Had a cooked breakfast and then spent the morning sorting everything out. After lunch and a spell of TV watching it was off on a visit to see Les and Hilda (Anne's aunt and uncle). As usual we all had loads to drink there and it was with a rosy glow that we left. Arrived home and all the kids were there so it was a period of playing with Martin's TV game. Then it was the usual Christmas mass tea and afterwards the usual Christmas slide show of holiday snaps that was rather boring and lasted too long. After everybody had gone it was difficult to ignore all the good things on television. So spent the time watching it, reading and playing scrabble before going to bed at 11.30 p.m.
Marks 8.0
Christmas Day and I must admit this year I had a nice load of presents, apart from the customary shirt from ---- that is really a waste of time because I don't even like them. Being Christmas, myself and Anne opened most of our presents in bed and then I got up early at 8.30 a.m. Had a cooked breakfast and then spent the morning sorting everything out. After lunch and a spell of TV watching it was off on a visit to see Les and Hilda (Anne's aunt and uncle). As usual we all had loads to drink there and it was with a rosy glow that we left. Arrived home and all the kids were there so it was a period of playing with Martin's TV game. Then it was the usual Christmas mass tea and afterwards the usual Christmas slide show of holiday snaps that was rather boring and lasted too long. After everybody had gone it was difficult to ignore all the good things on television. So spent the time watching it, reading and playing scrabble before going to bed at 11.30 p.m.
Marks 8.0