MOST CHILDREN today link Christmas with receiving toys, plenty of food, decorations, shopping and new stuff. For some adults, it’s about spending large sums of money, shopping galore, and plenty of work. For others it is the birth of Our Saviour in a small town called Bethlehem. His story is their centre of focus.
Today, the true meaning of Christmas is lost in the glitz, dazzle and glare, coupled with the hectic activities leading up to this glorious day. After a year of hard labour, many find themselves tired, yet are able to exert plenty of energy during this busy season. But what was Christmas like in ‘the good old days’. How did our grandparents and elders celebrate this season of goodwill?
For an insight into this, I visited with inmates of Archer’s Home on D’Urban Street, Wortmanville, and the folks at The Palms on upper Brickdam. Some of my elderly friends shared their memories of this period in their lives. Together, they painted a wonderful, enjoyable holiday season, which was family-oriented and Christ- centered.

Pre-Christmas preparation
By mid-November, the ‘Christmas feelings’ was already experienced by everyone, especially the children. All were encouraged to be on their best behaviour leading up to Christmas, so as to ensure that Santa came to their home on Christmas Eve to deliver toys and other goodies.
Special shopping began in small amounts. Items were bought and hidden away until Christmas was near. December saw the taking down of drapes or blinds, and the ‘putting away’ of the house. This usually meant that all the furniture would be packed away in a corner and covered with old bed-sheets. Then the real work began.
All the walls, windows and doors were wiped clean. Furniture and floors were sandpapered then varnished or lacquered; some were polished. The latter was done one or two days before Christmas Day. Stairs were scrubbed, and some amount of painting was done. The entire house was ‘cobwebbed’, and the yard thoroughly cleaned.
Many old things made their exit in these cleanups, and new items took their places. Many of the toys back then were made locally. Dolls and guns were made by creative people, and this saved plenty of money. Almost all decorations were made at home. New carpets, furniture and dishes were acquired.
Scrap-mats were made from scraps of cloth or discarded cigarette boxes. When the countdown for Christmas was about three days away, every evening could be heard the clamour of hammering as everyone raced to get their house ready for Christmas Day.
At schools, the art and craftwork of students during the year were put on exhibition and sold to parents and relatives. Children made all sorts of decorations and Christmas cards back then. ‘Pointer-brooms’ and crepe paper were used to create beautiful flowers. Calabashes and coconut shells were shaped into vases and ashtrays. Schools also organized Christmas concerts, where children were able to explore the beauty and pageantry of the Christmas story. Christmas closing-parties were great fun, and all these activities added to the excitement and anticipation of Christmas.
Soon, there was wine making and setting, and drink making and storing. Large old bottles and jars were cleaned and filled with all types of homemade niceties. The wines made included Rice Wine, Sorrel Wine, and Corn Wine. Popular drinks made were Mauby, Ginger Beer, and Sorrel Drink.
The smell of baking filled many a home. Black Cakes, Sponge Cakes, Fruit Cakes, Buns, Pone, Salara and Bread were baked and stored. All sorts of ingenious ways had to be found to keep these goodies safe from insects such as ants, flies and roaches. Pepperpot, Ham, Garlic Pork, Cook-up-Rice, Black Pudding and Fudge were cooked with care.
In those days, a drink called FLY was very popular at Christmastime. This is how it was made:
•    Sweet Potatoes or Irish Potatoes were cleaned and grated.
•     The starch was then washed out, and the husk placed into a jar or other suitable container.
•    Sugar, water, spices and cloves are added.
•    It is then allowed to sit for between four – 21 days (according to how strong you want it).
•    The white of an egg (or eggs) and their shells are added.
•    Maize is also added.
•    The mixture is allowed to settle for two to three days then strained and bottled.
By Christmas Eve, the house is all fixed up. New drapes are hung; carpets rolled out; floors polished and shined; walls and windows decorated; and the Christmas Tree (made from a local tree) put up and decorated.
Special dishes, plates and cutlery are brought out. These are only used at Christmas, and on other very special occasions. Some people make and decorate small cribs depicting the Nativity. Paddy was planted in time for it to bloom at Christmas. This was placed in the home as a sign of prosperity for the family.
On Christmas-Eve Night, everyone went to church. All the neighbours went together. All children had to attend. The Midnight Mass was often long, and many heads nodded through it all. After church, loud and joyous greetings were exchanged with everyone on the way home. “MERRY CHRISTMAS, MRS. ALLEN!!!”… None was forgotten. All the dogs in the neighbourhood went crazy, but this didn’t diminish the exercise.
Youths and young adults formed choirs and went caroling. The most popular modes of transportation for this spreading of good tidings were the donkey cart and the feet. All carolers were welcomed, and after singing and greeting their hosts, they were offered goodies, drinks and money.
By the time everyone got home, sleep was almost impossible. Every child knew that Santa would be coming that night to leave them something wonderful. Some even tried to peek, but none were lucky enough to spy this elusive being. Some fortunate kids were taken to see Santa, often kicking and crying. Families went ‘window-shopping’ to enjoy the fabulous Christmas lights, decorations and toys.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day was like no other: Food, food and more food! Gifts were opened, and the entire family stayed together for that day. Families were linked by phone, telegrams or Christmas Cards. The cards were opened, read and then hung on walls as decoration. Wines, Rum, Beer and Fly flowed. Lots of people got tipsy, and the occasional ‘cuss-out’ and fight was not unusual. Some folks remembered being awakened early in the morning by the sound of the Salvation Army Band. Masquerade bands were aplenty. There were the professional ones, and the impromptu ones. Both made money, and got lots to eat and drink. Many children were terrified of masquerade bands, and would hide and peek whenever it passed by.

Post-Christmas
Boxing Day and onwards was the time for visiting friends. Each house you visited, you had to eat and drink whatever was offered. These visits didn’t go further than three or four homes, because by that time, you were either stuffed beyond your limit or dead drunk. This was also the night for parties and dances. There were many of these, so you ended up visiting more than one on that night.
Matinee shows at the cinema were also very popular. There were no TVs or computers back then, so the cinema was a main form of entertainment. Very often, you could not get into the show because of the large crowd trying to get in too.
Old Year’s Day was another special time. There were dances, parties and lots of fireworks to usher in the New Year. Each home made sure that food was cooked and available. The popular dish on this day/night was Cook-up rice. This means that for the New Year, that home would never be out of food. Christmas celebrations continued into January and ended around the sixth of the month.
Speaking to my friends at The Palms and the Archer Home about their experience and memories of Christmas was emotional for some, and a joy to others. There were smiles at the mention of washing salt-butter to make cake, or churning custard to make delicious ice-cream. Almost everything was made at home. The entire family participated in this season of peace and joy …as it should be.