Bert Vogel's Christmas Memories (1909-1998)

Grandma Elsie has been trying to make me write about the Christmases 

of my childhood.  So, I will try to tell all of you what it was like at that time!

 

December 6^th was the Feast Day of St Nicholas.  On this day, in early evening, St. Nicholas and two helpers dressed in old overcoats, beards, and carnival buggy whips and sleigh bells would ring the bells and crack the whips as they would go from house to house.  We would open the door and listen as they came closer and closer!  The parents had made arrangements with one of the general stores for candy, cookies, apples, etc.  They put on a good show with the whips but really didn’t hit anyone!  Just a lot of whip action!

 

On the real Christmas Eve, we had a big dining room and a round dining table.  We put a plate on the table for each one of us and Mom and Dad – and Santa would put the presents on every one’s own plate!  It seems he knew where everybody sat!

 

We did not give presents to each other – nobody had any money.  Santa was the only provider.  Almost all of our presents were personal items – clothing mostly.  The younger ones got a toy or two – but the older ones got mostly clothing which we needed anyway!  But, they were happy days!

 

As I was the oldest of seven children, I was the first one to find out that whole thing was a “put-up job,” so I was warned by Mom and Dad to keep my mouth shut!  Which I was happy to do!  Now I was one of the “conspirators.”  But, it wasn’t very long until my brother, Al, got wise and Irma (Sr. Walter) caught on and then the others caught on and I can remember now – looking back – that it wasn’t quite the same, something was missing!  Even now at this time of the year, I can recall different “Christmas Eves” which were not very happy but I won’t go into that now:  Christmas is supposed to be a happy time – let’s keep it that way!