|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
|
OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
I remember the time when us kids would have trouble sleeping as the anticipation and the stack of gifts seemed to grow tenfold overnight. Dad wasn't much help (getting us to sleep, that is) as we were to be in bed before midnight, and he'd be outside jingling some sleigh bells just to keep the illusion as real as possible.
My most memorable childhood gift would have to be the Bobby Hull Hockey table game (the flat plastic guys who rode a slot in the table controlled with metal rods... etc. (BlackHawks -vs- NorthStars for anyone who cares) It was not only the biggest package I've ever seen (I was seven at the time) it was the only thing I wanted and I think we played it non-stop for a year. I still have it if anyone is up for a game!
Anyone else care to share a favorite gift memory or a tradition that made your childhood 'larger than life'?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,296 |
Dear Musick:
That kind of loss of sleep--anticipation--is the sweetest and the best loss.
Only it's not my nature to fight anticipation very well. What I do remember is one Christmas Eve night it just about burst me open to think about those packages waiting for the stupid sun to come up. I went into the living room where the tree was, turned on a light, and unwrapped (ever so carefully, pulling away the tape like some kind of crazed Christmas present archaeologist) all of mine and wrapped 'em back, too. Perfection! Holmes would have had trouble sniffing me out. I put those boxes on top of boxes in just the same pattern I'd flashed with my brainy Kodack (Kodac?).
And then back to bed in more excitement thinking how much fun I'd have the next morning playing with everything there.
Ah! It's out! I've confessed! I can finally enjoy Christmas again with a cleansed mind!
Best regards,
Wrapworth
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,636 |
I think it was the Christmas I was ten. I know it was the Christmas I got white figure skates with white rabbit fur trim on the top. It was also the worst Christmas I ever had and I learned a very big lesson that year. You see, I knew where my Mother was hiding all the gifts and I knew where she hid the key. Every time I had the chance to snoop out the gifts without getting caught, I did. When Christmas morning came, I discovered that there was no joy in knowing ahead of time what everyone was getting. I never snooped again. I also remember the delicious anticipation that kept me awake every Christmas Eve. When I would finally start to get sleepy I would try to visualize and name all 50 states over and over. I would usually drop off somewhere near Kansas the third time through. I memorized them in geographical order from Maine south to Florida, the Gulf states to the Great Lakes, the Dakotas to Texas, Arizona and New Mexico up the Great Divide and down the other side from Washington to California. Alaska and Hawaii I saved for the end. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, and a Happy New Year.
Peace
Connie
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,439 |
The way our hall and staircase were configured there was just room for a balsam tree tucked against the stairwell. The tree was a tall one and the top was level with the topmost railing of the stairs.
I remember that all through the Christmas season (Dec 24-Jan 6) being in bed looking out my door and seeing the top half of the tree with its lights and beautiful angel as I fell asleep.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Wow, what a beautiful memory--I can see that tree-top...
Musick, thank you for this thread. Oh, yes! The anticipation! One Christmas Eve, I went to bed, woke up, and went in to the parlor, where my aunt and uncle and parents were sitting around the stove, talking. I was wild to get to my stocking and presents--then my mother informed me it was ten p.m.! I'd been asleep less than an hour.
My most memorable Christmas was when I was in 6th grade (ten years old). I got two very large presents--a sewing box, a real, grown-up one, and a coiled, plush snake, that I slept with till I went to college--it was just like someone's arm around me. And I got one HUGE present--a new suitcase! Those 3 big ones outshone everything else, in my eyes.
|
|
|
|
Forums16
Topics13,913
Posts229,412
Members9,182
| |
Most Online3,341
Dec 9th, 2011
|
|
|
0 members (),
907
guests, and
3
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
|
