Christmases past and early snow

An elderly neighbour gave me this Nicholas Thomas book when I was six years old and as you can see it has been well loved. I always enjoyed reading the story about Christmas.

The chapter entitled 'The Special Christmas Tree' starts with Mummy saying to Nicholas and Timothy "Now is the time to dress the Christmas tree. Pop up to the attic and bring the decorations down." 

And just look at their excited faces when they open the box.

When I was a girl the decorations were stored in the loft which was reached via a rather rickety ladder that my mother would climb whilst we children watched nervously from below. What excitement when the box was set safely down. You hadn't set eyes on its contents for a full year and seeing all those shiny baubles and festive trinkets brought memories of past Christmases flooding back.

Unlike the characters in the book I won't be trimming our tree just yet but when I do I'll spare a thought for poor old Woolworths who recently went into administration after 77 years trading in the UK. Their first shop opened in Liverpool in 1931 and it proved so popular that very quickly every town had a Woolworth store. Their baubles, tinsel, and paper chains have decorated millions of homes around Britain for decades and many of their vintage bits and pieces will doubtless be seeing the light of day once again this year. When I was young 'Woolies' was the only shop selling Christmas trimmings, but now the competition is enormous which, of course, is part of the reason for their downfall.

I can remember Woolworths at Christmas time had several huge counters overflowing with inexpensive decorations. Items like these crepe paper garlands that I found amongst my Granny's things. She carefully stored them away each year in a crumpled Woolworth's bag. Why did grannies always store things in the bags they brought them home in?

And here's an unopened bag of Woolworth's festoon garlands dating from the 1970s (55p according to the label). 

And who remembers this cheap and cheerful wrapping paper? This is some that Granny will have carefully smoothed and put away for another year!

And the little tree with baubles that are now covered in several decades of sticky fingers prints. Crackers and a Santa disappearing down a chimney, and a plastic trumpet that made an ear piercing din and was blown by young brothers throughout Christmas just to annoy everyone.

And best of all, this little Santa with a concertina tummy. I remember him from being very young. He lost a leg many years ago but still makes an appearance every Christmas as it wouldn't be the same without his jolly grin.

And here is the story tree trimmed with all kinds of edible goodies. It has drawn quite a crowd of hungry animals. Timothy and Nicholas feel so sorry for the little animals outside in the snow that they hatch a plan.

They trim a tree with edible decorations for the animals in the garden. I doubt the hungry animals will have obeyed the instructions!

The story concludes with rabbits carrying away armsful of carrots and mice scampering home with biscuits. I love happy endings!

These pics are for you Michele at Cowboys and Custard because I know you are a really big fan of Nicholas Thomas books. Michele has a passion for vintage toys and ephemera so do pay her a visit.

And finally

We rarely see snow before Christmas but on Thursday I drew back the bedroom curtains to be greeted by this wintry scene.

The sky was grey and heavy giving the impression there was more snow to come so I was happy to spend the day snug and warm indoors.

Although I feed the wild birds regularly I can't help feeling especially sorry them on days like this. A robin watched my husband put more food on the bird table.

Needless to say he was first to the food as soon as hubby's back was turned. Amazingly this chirpy chap will hop around your feet when you are digging the garden in the summer but aim a camera at him through a kitchen window (as I'm doing here) and he's decidedly nervous and on his guard. 

The snow started to melt after lunch but the slushy remains quickly froze again as the sun went down and today is not a day for venturing far. Wonder if I should start writing the Christmas cards!

Comments

[Martha]

That storybook is so sweet. I love the little mouse at the end scampering off with his/her little biscuit. ♥
What beautiful snow. Too bad it slushed up and re-froze, though I LOVE days when the weather forces the car to stay at home, (and therefore me too!)

[Cathy Santarsiero]

I miss Woolworths too! Have a lovely weekend. Warmly, Cathy ^..^

[Selia Renzetti]

Dear Eli,

Thank you so much for sharing! You brought back so many memories. Your snow covered garden is beautiful. We don't ever see a snow like that except once in a blue moon...maybe this year! We have already had snow flurries and that is quite unheard of here in the South before Christmas. I have an award for you on my blog! You are such an inspiration. Have a lovely weekend!
Blessings,
Selia

[Paula]

Dear Eli,

I enjoyed reading your wonderful and happy Christmas memories so much! Thank you for sharing them, and your delightful book! I, too, love happy endings!!! Your decorations are all so pretty. I am sorry to hear about Woolworths.

The snow is just beautiful! We rarely get snow here in the south, just like Selia, (there is one state in between us) but it has been very cold and we had a freeze last night, though no snow flurries. My husband grew up in New England (New Hampshire) and had plenty of snow! Thank you for sharing the photos and for the photo of your beautiful robin! I love British robins!!! They are so different from ours here in the states, though ours are pretty too. I have a gorgeous teapot my husband and son gave me that is made in England, all the teapots, tea cups and saucers they give me they make certain they are made in England! Anyway, the teapot has your robin and a few other of your birds on it, they also gave me a matching mug and I enjoy it all so much!

Love, Paula

[shelley]

Thanks for sharing your charming little book,and the beautiful snow!

Blessings,Shelley

[Karen]

lovely post. i love the memories old decorations bring back, too! thanks for the comment on my blog...i'm glad it's read.

[Karen]

lovely post. i love the memories old decorations bring back, too! thanks for the comment on my blog...i'm glad it's read.

[clarice]

What a sweet book. I have never seen it. I will have to check it out. You have the sweetest books !!!! Oh snow, enjoy it for us. Clarice

[carolyn]

Wonderful illustrations and as for Woolies well I do really hope they can be saved the loss of Woolworths would change the High St forever.

[Redwood House]

this is a fab post Eli, I so remember all those lovely Christmas Decs and would love to find them in the attic but I know they are long gone.I did find and buy 4 folding paper bells in Frome on Saturday and they took me straight down memory lane. How wonderful to have some of your family ones left, love the one legged Santa.
Your garden is magical covered in snow, no snow here yet but a very good frost this morning.
Hope you are staying cosy.
Jan

[sabine]

I invitede you for a little game, go and look on my blog!
This is a lovely post, as always...

[Paula]

Dear Eli,
I just wanted to say thank you for all your sweet comments! You blessed my day!!! Yes, we do have alligators, though we have only seen one while out on the lake, but one was enough! I am sure there are more. A few years ago someone killed one that was 15 feet long. I cannot recall the weight. Thankfully our yard is several feet higher than the bayou that runs behind us and I don't think they could get up into the yard as it is not sloped but goes straight up, the previous owner/builder put in a nice retaining wall. I am cowardly too and was concerned about that when we first moved here! My husband assured me we were quite safe and the remainder of our yard is fenced in. I do hope you are having a lovely day, staying warm and enjoying this beautiful Christmas season.

P.S. I wish I could send you a big box of apparel fabric so you could sew up some corduroy skirts. I also wish you had more apparel fabric available to you there in the UK. We have plenty of fabric stores here but lots of clothing that is cheap being manufactured in the Far East as well. As you said, it is a shame. You are a talented lady and I love that you make so many beautiful things with your own hands.

Love, Paula

[Michele]

Hello Eli.. better late than never I hope. I have had such a lot of trouble trying to reach your blog.. the link I had just wouldn't let me in.. but now I am here and I could easily write a small essay about all that I see and love here.
Thank you so much for thinking of me and indulging me in my passion for Nicholas Thomas and vintage Christmas items..
There is something intrinsically comforting in seeing items from childhood and the wrapping paper and Woollies decorations are very nostalgic and snow of course. I was in a shop in Bath today and they had a 1950's box of Woolworth's glass Christmas baubles.. while I was contemplating buying it .. someone bought it from under my nose! I would have kept the baubles in the box had they been mine.. they looked so pretty in their little windowed box..
How clever of you to keep all your Christmas cards.. a wonderful archive of Christmas past..
Festive greetings and love to you dear Eli..
Michele xx