Nostalgia: a wistful or excessively sentimental yearning for return to or of some past period. At no time is this greater than at the Christmas season.
Years ago, it was that magical time of year again when children could barely contain their excitement. They have spent hours paging through the Wish Book and the Christmas catalogue circling their choices of what the jolly ole elf Santa would bring them. Christmas Eve stockings that were hung with care would be filled with an orange in the toe, peanuts, nuts, and that seasonal candy, ribbon candy or the hard colourful striped candy. A small gift just the right size to fit a stocking would be tucked in as well.
Every day the mailman, burdened with his heavy sack, would bring Christmas greetings in the form of Christmas cards. These cards would be sent from family and friends who would choose just the right scene and messages chosen to convey the right message to those they loved and shared a friendship with. One such card is in the photo addressed to Stratford, Ontario and a postcard featuring Shakespeare, Ont.
The first Christmas card was created in 1843. As was custom in Britain, it was considered bad manners not to reply to any mail received. Sir Henry Cole was in a dilemma, as he had received hundreds of pieces of correspondence he had to reply to at Christmas. The newly introduced ‘penny post’ allowed anyone to affix a penny stamp and mail to whomever they wished. Cole resolved his situation by approaching an artist friend, J.C. Horsley and asked him to design a card using his idea. Horsley’s triptych illustration showing a family at a table celebrating was flanked by images of people helping the poor. One thousand of these were printed and the ‘To: and From:’ blanks could be filled with the receiver and sender’s names, thus starting a new holiday tradition.
Many beautiful cards and postcards were printed, hand painted, sent and received over the years. Cards with special meaning were sent during the War years. This custom continues today with countless variations in design, messages, and media.
Preparations for the Christmas dinner started early. One of the main desserts was fruit cake or Christmas cake as it was known by. First, soaking the fruit in alcohol to make that dark Christmas cake, wrapped and stored in a cold place. Fruits that were soaked in alcohol, usually brandy or rum or sherry, were soaked for a minimum of one month. After the cake was baked it was ‘fed’ two if not four times every two weeks after the first time it came out of the oven, by poking holes in the cake and pouring a small amount of the same alcohol used to soak the fruit for a rich flavour.
A Christmas menu from Canada’s Favorite Cookbook (1906) gives a glimpse into the past, though it differs greatly from the meals we enjoy today. Its illustrations, filled with festive images, add to the charm of a bygone era.
The smell of a real tree is a smell no artificial tree can match. It meets our senses as we walk into a room. The memories of days gone by when we trudged through snow with a sleigh and an axe holding our daddy’s hand looking for the perfect tree projects memories long forgotten. There is nothing like it.
However, time and circumstances change over the course of the years and now perfect artificial trees are by far the choice people make for the holidays. A safer choice in decorating the lighting on the tree is available to add the lighting charm. Image when lighting real candles as a primary source of illumination on our trees and feeling safe during this holiday season. Although the tradition has evolved, it still carries the same meaning of bringing light and beauty to the holiday season.
Ultimately, the passage is a reflection on the beauty of old traditions and the joy of creating new ones. Whether it is the thrill of a child’s first glimpse of the tree, the exchange of heartfelt cards, or the aroma of a traditional Christmas meal, each element contributes to the rich tapestry of holiday memories that endure year after year.
Create your own new traditions, embrace the old ones, and cherish all the memories, both new and old, that make the holiday season so special.
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