Christmas Memories: A Season of Simple Joys
With our family on a tight budget, most of our toys came from parties my mom hosted that were a bit like Tupperware parties, but for toys. There was always that one dream gift you hoped for but never got. For Ritchie and me, it was the much-coveted Spyder bike. These bikes, with their banana seats and sissy bars, looked like mini choppers, and owning one made you the coolest kid on the block. Our bikes, however, were not so exciting hand-me-downs, though every once in a while, we’d score a ride on a friend’s Spyder.
One of the biggest events of the season was the trip to downtown Lewistown for the Christmas parade. The streets were strung with lights and garlands, and the crowd was five or six people deep, with thousands turning out for the festivities. There were beautiful floats, a variety of local bands, classic 1960s cars carrying local dignitaries and beauty queens, and of course, Santa himself, bringing up the rear in his sleigh with eight reindeer. The parade wasn’t complete without a stop at G.C. Murphy’s 5 & 10, where my brother and I would claim our free goldfish. They rarely survived past New Year’s, but it was a tradition we loved. We would then head to the lunch counter, where we’d warm up with hot cocoa.
Our next stop was either McMeen’s or the Bon Ton to visit Santa and let him know exactly which toys we’d circled in the catalog, just in case our letter to the North Pole was waylaid. There was always a long line, but we waited patiently in anticipation of the candy cane or coloring book we would receive. The stores were always packed with holiday shoppers all dressed in their Sunday best. I still remember my mom with her poofy, teased hair, tailored double-breasted wool coat, dress gloves, and matching hat and shoes. Dad wore his corduroy coat and his iconic flat-top wool cap. Isn’t it interesting how memories like these have the power to evoke emotions that have been dormant for years, wrapping around us like a warm blanket?
Who could forget the wonderful Christmas season treats? At my grandma’s house, it was her infamous homemade fudge, her butterscotch haystacks, and the toy-shaped clear hard candy. It came in a myriad of shapes, such as reindeer, Christmas trees, jack-in-the-box, teddy bears, and more. They didn’t really taste that great, but they were certainly sweet—pure sugar, so we loved them. Of course, there were also Christmas cookies, with the star being the sand tart. Everyone made sand tarts, and it was an unspoken contest among bakers to see who could get theirs the thinnest. They were baked in massive quantities, and I can recall still eating them into February.
Then it was time to deck those halls, and boy did we ever. My mother loved to decorate for Christmas. In fact, one visitor to our house over the holidays told my mother that our home looked like G.C. Murphy’s 5 & 10. I think she meant it as a compliment, but we may never know for sure. The Christmas tree was the star, however. We strung the lights, meticulously hung the ornaments, and much to my mother’s dismay, tossed on the silver tinsel by the handful. I’m sure it was still clogging the vacuum months later. Once it was all decorated and the star was placed at the top, it was time. Time to turn off the overhead lights and flip on the tree lights. Is there anything more magical than that moment? I think not. It’s as though the whole room holds its breath, and then the lights glow to life, filling the room with warmth. There is an instant feeling of joy, as though all is right with the world.
Looking back, it’s these simple, heartwarming moments that stay with us—a mix of laughter, wonder, and family togetherness that truly defined the season. Today, Christmas may look different, but its essence remains. And perhaps, by slowing down, setting aside our many distractions, and embracing the traditions of the past, we can bring a bit of that golden era magic back into our holiday celebrations and make it an extra special hometown holiday.
Rhonda S. Kelley, Executive Director