A little while back I wrote a couple of pieces about being the Grinch of Halloween and the Grinch of Guy Fawkes. But when it comes to Christmas I can assure you there is no Grinch here. I love pretty much everything about it, other than the commercialisation - bah humbug to that.
the making of the xmas cake was quite an event at our place when I was growing up, several of Mums sisters would decend on us, and get shall we say shickered in the making of it, my Dad would very wisely stay in the lounge not venturing into that coven......
Lovely stories, it has helped put me in the Christmas mood and bring back many memories of my own. I'm not sure you deserved those presents if you'd been playing with them well ahead of Christmas. My own parents did a good job of hiding them, or perhaps threatened dire penalties should we go poking around. Best present ever was a box of Lego - sent as a "gift" (a ruse to fool NZ customs) from Hamleys toy store in London. The days long before it was available at the Warehouse (or there even was such a place).
I found the art of hiding gifts quite fun as a parent. One year we'd decided we'd buy a used swing and climbing set off Trademe. Of course, iron rule, it was way on the other side of town. I borrowed a trailer, disassembled and packed it up, stored it in the basement of neighbour's house - away from prying eyes. Then when the boy (probably 5 or 6 at the time) was safely asleep I went and picked it up from the neighbour. He offered to help assemble it but it seemed a big ask for Christmas Eve and perhaps I was too much of a man (cough, debatable) to accept help. The sun set, I was still trying to assemble the damn thing by torch-light come midnight. Still it was well-appreciated the next morning and for many years afterwards.
I also remember very clearly my first Northern Hemisphere Christmas, 1992 in Manhattan. We were thrilled to have a 'real' tree in the cold. Unfortunately we didn't have much money (everything was so much more expensive than we'd been able to imagine) so we had to walk for blocks until we could find one acceptable to my wife (a blue spruce of just the right shade) not to mention affordable. Christmas Tree selling was done by people who looked like they'd just come down from the mountains of Vermont, they would camp in a VW van festooned with parking tickets they had no intention of paying and set up their wares on the sidewalk. It was, reputedly, a mafia controlled enterprise and indeed one year a number of the stands did "mysteriously" burn down. I've seldom been as cold as I was that first year with the bitter wind whipping off the Hudson and blowing the snow in my face as I dragged the tree home.
Then come the New Year I faced the problem of what to do with the, now dried out, tree. I went to a local hardware store and bought a folding pruning saw. Painstakingly kneeling on the floor of our apartment I cut it into 10cm lengths which would fit in a garbage bag. When I dragged the bag out to the road I saw many of my neighbours had just dumped their trees in the snow on the sidewalk. Turns out the NY Department of Sanitation does a special green waste collection that time of year. On the plus side I still have that pruning saw.
As an oldtimer now, the childhood Christmas memories that flood my thoughts on Christmas day are my current favourite gifts. Like your memories, Nick, they reinforce my belief that we were the lucky generation and for that I am forever grateful.
I am also grateful to have stumbled upon your Korero this year and must say that your daily postings have climbed past fresh coffee to become my favourite morning pleasure.
My New Year's wish this year would be to have Nick's Korero in every inbox around the motu.
And, of course, my favourite quote must be "Don't let the bastards win!" Thanks for doing your bit.
Thanks for sharing your family traditions Nick. Happy Christmas 🎄, maybe make some new traditions along the way. Family and friends are what really matter, not the gifts, but I had to smile at your Mum 'keeping the receipts'. So good that no one ever needed them, she obviously chose carefully. Enjoy this special time with them all
Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas Nick.. thank you for sharing that lovely Christmas story of your family. It was heartwarming. Look forward to your next few columns, but meantime, have a happy family Group
Many many Christmas's were spent at our Nana & Grandpop's place either Mangaweka, Bulls or in the later years when I was a teenager, in the house on Durie Hill looking out over Victoria Ave & the Whanganui river
Mum was the eldest of 9 so us 3 kids were the eldest lot spread amongst 25 1st cousins.
I have such wonderful memories of chaotic funfilled & people filled houses & running outside with cuzzies & aunty & uncles I sometime find Christmas as the 'adult' a little less magical.
But our own kids bring back the magic thru the joy of giving & enjoying food & being together for which I will forever be grateful for.
So it will be this Sunday when my 2 girls, their partners, my 5 grandies & hubby head to Whangaumu for a Xmas picnic lunch
My one plee is... just don't rain (too much) on our parade please Winterless North!
Merry Christmas. Glad I am subscribing. Thanks for family pics. I wondered if I knew your mum and I do through ece. What an awesome lady. We have desserts and salads that get requested every year. One is a chocolate log.
Love your writing and memory sharing Nick. This one was particularly special as I read out loud to my husband some of the stated memories. We had a chuckle and felt the Christmas spirit joyfully. Nice start to the day! Wishing you another very special memory making day.
Meri kirihimete, Nick! Thanks for your mahi during the year... Have no affection for Christmas, but enjoyed this story. Vibes of Paul Kelly's Who's Going to Make the Gravy?
the making of the xmas cake was quite an event at our place when I was growing up, several of Mums sisters would decend on us, and get shall we say shickered in the making of it, my Dad would very wisely stay in the lounge not venturing into that coven......
Lovely stories, it has helped put me in the Christmas mood and bring back many memories of my own. I'm not sure you deserved those presents if you'd been playing with them well ahead of Christmas. My own parents did a good job of hiding them, or perhaps threatened dire penalties should we go poking around. Best present ever was a box of Lego - sent as a "gift" (a ruse to fool NZ customs) from Hamleys toy store in London. The days long before it was available at the Warehouse (or there even was such a place).
I found the art of hiding gifts quite fun as a parent. One year we'd decided we'd buy a used swing and climbing set off Trademe. Of course, iron rule, it was way on the other side of town. I borrowed a trailer, disassembled and packed it up, stored it in the basement of neighbour's house - away from prying eyes. Then when the boy (probably 5 or 6 at the time) was safely asleep I went and picked it up from the neighbour. He offered to help assemble it but it seemed a big ask for Christmas Eve and perhaps I was too much of a man (cough, debatable) to accept help. The sun set, I was still trying to assemble the damn thing by torch-light come midnight. Still it was well-appreciated the next morning and for many years afterwards.
I also remember very clearly my first Northern Hemisphere Christmas, 1992 in Manhattan. We were thrilled to have a 'real' tree in the cold. Unfortunately we didn't have much money (everything was so much more expensive than we'd been able to imagine) so we had to walk for blocks until we could find one acceptable to my wife (a blue spruce of just the right shade) not to mention affordable. Christmas Tree selling was done by people who looked like they'd just come down from the mountains of Vermont, they would camp in a VW van festooned with parking tickets they had no intention of paying and set up their wares on the sidewalk. It was, reputedly, a mafia controlled enterprise and indeed one year a number of the stands did "mysteriously" burn down. I've seldom been as cold as I was that first year with the bitter wind whipping off the Hudson and blowing the snow in my face as I dragged the tree home.
Then come the New Year I faced the problem of what to do with the, now dried out, tree. I went to a local hardware store and bought a folding pruning saw. Painstakingly kneeling on the floor of our apartment I cut it into 10cm lengths which would fit in a garbage bag. When I dragged the bag out to the road I saw many of my neighbours had just dumped their trees in the snow on the sidewalk. Turns out the NY Department of Sanitation does a special green waste collection that time of year. On the plus side I still have that pruning saw.
Like ❤ - keep the christmas cheer flowing
As an oldtimer now, the childhood Christmas memories that flood my thoughts on Christmas day are my current favourite gifts. Like your memories, Nick, they reinforce my belief that we were the lucky generation and for that I am forever grateful.
I am also grateful to have stumbled upon your Korero this year and must say that your daily postings have climbed past fresh coffee to become my favourite morning pleasure.
My New Year's wish this year would be to have Nick's Korero in every inbox around the motu.
And, of course, my favourite quote must be "Don't let the bastards win!" Thanks for doing your bit.
Thanks Doug, I'm sure there will plenty of us letting them know we're here and we do not approve of what they're doing to our country.
Thanks for sharing your family traditions Nick. Happy Christmas 🎄, maybe make some new traditions along the way. Family and friends are what really matter, not the gifts, but I had to smile at your Mum 'keeping the receipts'. So good that no one ever needed them, she obviously chose carefully. Enjoy this special time with them all
Wishing you and your family a very happy Christmas Nick.. thank you for sharing that lovely Christmas story of your family. It was heartwarming. Look forward to your next few columns, but meantime, have a happy family Group
Wonderful memories Nick thankyou for sharing.
Many many Christmas's were spent at our Nana & Grandpop's place either Mangaweka, Bulls or in the later years when I was a teenager, in the house on Durie Hill looking out over Victoria Ave & the Whanganui river
Mum was the eldest of 9 so us 3 kids were the eldest lot spread amongst 25 1st cousins.
I have such wonderful memories of chaotic funfilled & people filled houses & running outside with cuzzies & aunty & uncles I sometime find Christmas as the 'adult' a little less magical.
But our own kids bring back the magic thru the joy of giving & enjoying food & being together for which I will forever be grateful for.
So it will be this Sunday when my 2 girls, their partners, my 5 grandies & hubby head to Whangaumu for a Xmas picnic lunch
My one plee is... just don't rain (too much) on our parade please Winterless North!
Meri Kirihimete Nick & Fi!
Cheers Fi (not your wife) & Bob
Ps MY brother's name is Greg too! Lol
Merry Christmas. Glad I am subscribing. Thanks for family pics. I wondered if I knew your mum and I do through ece. What an awesome lady. We have desserts and salads that get requested every year. One is a chocolate log.
Shared but also stated. 😃
Love your writing and memory sharing Nick. This one was particularly special as I read out loud to my husband some of the stated memories. We had a chuckle and felt the Christmas spirit joyfully. Nice start to the day! Wishing you another very special memory making day.
Thanks for letting me know, that scene put a smile on my face. Meri Kirihimete to you and your whānau Lyn. 🎅🏼
Meri kirihimete, Nick! Thanks for your mahi during the year... Have no affection for Christmas, but enjoyed this story. Vibes of Paul Kelly's Who's Going to Make the Gravy?
LOVE
Meri Kirhimete!
Lovely sharing thank you Nick. Have a fantastic Xmas all of you.
We also used to wait till mum goes out and go hunt in the wardrobe for our presents. Good times.
Meri kirihimete Nick. And thanks for this year’s columns.