When I was a child growing up during the 1950's and 1960's, things were much different. Santa usually brought my sister and I a doll. (I didn't like playing with dolls.) He brought my brother a toy truck or tractor. Our stockings were filled with nuts, oranges, apples and a few candies. Mom and Dad gave us clothes. Grandma usually gave us a book. If we were lucky, Santa also left a colouring book and a new box of crayons. New crayons were awesome. Those sharp points would have us dancing for joy.
Early pioneers came to Canada from Europe. They didn't celebrate Christmas the way we do today. Most pioneer families didn't put up a Christmas tree. These people were of English, Scottish and Irish descent. The Christmas tree tradition didn't originate in those countries.
The Christmas tree came to Canada with settlers from Pennsylvania. These people were of German heritage, where the Christmas tree idea originated. In time, other people saw the German people's trees and began putting up a tree in their homes.
British families hung greens, which consisted of ivy, mistletoe and holly. Since these weren't available during the winter months, they made evergreen boughs into garland. These hung on mantles, stair banisters and about the door outside.
Pioneers used things from nature for decorations. Cranberries, nuts, berries, feathers and pinecones all gave the log cabins a festive look.
Stockings were hung by the hearth or on bedposts. Excited children opened their stockings to find apples, nuts, a treasured jackknife or corn husk doll, wooden puzzles, and whistles whittled from wood. Sometimes the children were lucky enough to receive a homemade rocking horse, sled or snowshoes. Other gifts were handkerchiefs, scarves, mittens, hats and socks.
Christmas morning, families opened their modest gifts and then played a game of hide the thimble or blind man's bluff. They didn't have the board and computer games that we have today.
The biggest treat of all was dinner. Wild turkey or goose would be the guest of honour at the dinner table. Squash, turnip, cooked carrots, potatoes and gravy graced the table. For dessert, fruit, mincemeat pie, plum or currant pudding made a perfect end to a perfect day.
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