Tis the season to be jolly

Christmas time was always very special. As a child I remember boxing day as the best day because the majority of the family would all get together for a party, either at Meadway or in a local hall.

There would always be a present from Nan and Grandad for every member of the family. As you can imagine, this meant nan starting Christmas shopping from January!

In addition to this, every child had another present which we got to pick from a lucky dip. A huge bin covered in wrapping paper, full of wrapped novelty gifts hidden amongst sawdust.

Also in the lucky dip bin would be the odd toy snake, or plastic spider, even a few lumps of coal thrown in for good measure (by grandad I expect) to amuse the adults when every child would leap back in horror before realising the joke. 

Meadway at Christmas was somehow transformed into the very essence of Christmas that as a child felt like you were stepping into a magical winter wonderland or grotto.

Approaching the house you would feel Christmas pouring into your being with Christmas ornaments outside, a glow of candles in the windows, a holly wreath on the door and the doorbell chiming out a variety of Christmas carols and songs when pressed.

Inside it would smell of Christmas and on every surface there would be bowls of nuts, satsumas, mince pies, sugared almonds, dates, figs and chocolates. Strings of Christmas cards would fly overhead amongst the tinsel, paperchains and assortment of glittery red, gold, green and silver decorations.

Candles would give movement to the angel and cherub mobiles making them chime and ding like bells.

The main Christmas tree was always in the front room and dressed to the max in twinkling fairy lights, tinsel, mini christmas crackers, baurbles and chocolate santas as well as beautifully wrapped little presents (which one year after opening one I realised were only ornaments).

The other rooms all had decorated mini Christmas trees and even the house plants were draped in tinsel.

There was always a nativity scene on display too. A stable lit up by candle, fully equipped with a wood carved Mary and Joseph, a baby Jesus in a manger, a donkey, sheep and three Kings bearing gifts were all strategically placed and not to be played with but always were (and not by us children). You could guarantee that one merry adult would take it upon themselves to give the display a makeover by hiding baby Jesus, or adding something comical to the scene.   

Christmas carols being sung by crooners such as Bing Crosby and Eva Cassidy would be playing in the background followed later and louder by compilations of every Christmas song from the 50s, 60s, 70s including Slade, Elvis, Cliff Richards, Paul McCartney and even Pinky and Perky (cartoon pigs).