Christmas for us started on 1st December when we opened the first door on the advent calendar. We always had a £1 chocolate advent calendar but Mum had a special mini Christmas tree that we would add a decoration to each day. Soon after a list would be written to let Santa know what we wanted…in Stephanie’s case it was most of the Argos Catalogue that got circled.
We loved the tree being put up, usually by mum one day whilst we were in school, but we were allowed to put whatever daft decorations we had made in school onto it. Mum still has these and tried to palm them back to us last year- her tree wouldn’t be the same without them!. A favorite of ours was the little chocolate umbrellas mum would hang on the tree. On more than one occasion mum would go to take one to find one of us had eaten it and hung it back on the tree.
We were always part of the nativity at school and at Church. Rachel would be Mary or Narrator (whichever role had the most lines!) and the rest of the family had to endure her rehearsing lines. Thankfully the costume mum put together could be used two or three times each year.
Kat as part of the choir would go out to sing at hospitals and nursing homes and chanced her luck carol singing for pocket money by knocking on neighbours doors. When Rachel left Primary school, Steph was just starting and took on the role of Mary most years.
In the build up to Christmas we’d take a trip into town for late night shopping. This involved going to see the lights being switched on in Queen Street and a trip into Toys R Us.
There was always a trip to see Santa. Our favourite trip was Penscynor Wildlife Park which mum put on coaches for the school and folks who lived nearby…anyone who popped their money round to our house was given a spot! A present from Santa, a ride on the sleigh (round the car park), a bob sleigh and a walk through the monkey house.
We were also spoiled a couple of times with trips to London (to visit family in Stratford, before it was cool!) We’d be dressed up in matching coats and all jump on the train to Paddington, where we’d do a bit of shopping, popping into Harrods and Hamleys before going to stay with family. We never did get the mini Rolls-Royce!
On Christmas Eve Dad would nip out to do ALL of his shopping and we’d visit Trinity Church for Christingle where we would try setting alight jelly tots with the little candle, before wandering home for roasted gammon in baguettes and an early night.
On Christmas day we’d never wake up before 9am. We’d all land on mum and dad’s bed to open stockings before breakfast, and the rule was we couldn’t open our presents before we were all up and dressed. After presents, a trip to the rugby club for a drink before lunch. Dad would always buy a bottle of fizz for lunch and play Tubular Bells as background music- we never did understand that choice of “Christmas” music! After mum’s amazing and ginormous dinner we’d all wash up before opening presents under the tree and falling asleep in front of the tv. When we finally awoke there’d be friends at the door for part 2, Christmas drinks and board games at The Ways….20 Questions still gets an outing.
On Boxing day Uncle Nigel would pick us up (in the Jag!) to go to Bedwas, where Dad and the Uncles would watch the rugby and we’d all have a big family party. These were the best parties with all the family involved.
We were always spoilt for Christmas not only in presents but in quality time with family and friends. Our happiest memories of Christmas are of the things we did and the traditions we had. For us this is the Way to Cwtch at Christmas…relax enjoy yourselves and prioritise memories (and food!) above things!
Ways to Cwtch 