Christmas decorations

[Granny911]

Does anyone remember making chain decorations for the house at Christmas? We would string them from one corner of the ceiling diagonally, then criss cross it to the other corner. Can't remember though if we just used paper for the chains or if it was some kind of thicker paper, anyone remember? In later years my aunt worked in the aluminum factory and would bring home scraps and we would use these for decorations. Also remember covering match boxes with Christmas paper, tied them with thread and put them on the wee 2 foot tree my Granny put up every year. She would put it on top of a tall boy so people in the street could see it in her window. Every year it was pandemonium because her fairy lights weren't working and an Uncle would be called into perform surgery on them. What a carry on, but great memories. Cheers, Sheila

[frankford]

we used to make the chains at primary school, cut the different colour paper into strips and stick them
together. Frank Oz.

[cockatoo]

My family would keep the Christmas decorations in a box ,the box would be kept on a shelf in the coal bunker and be taken out at Christmas.We had these concertina type decorations, you pulled out and they would have some Christmassy scene on them, we would criss cross them on the ceiling too, using drawing pins to hold them up. the red and green baubles for the tree, it was artificial tree, that came out every year too, I didn't know anyone who had a real tree, (too dear) My ma would get a string and put it above the fire place and hang the Christmas cards on it,who can forget as a wean getting up on Christmas morning to see what was in the sock !!!!! sweeties and always a tangerine !!! Do people still put up socks for their children ???? Good memories.

[redscot]

My family would keep the Christmas decorations in a box ,the box would be kept on a shelf in the coal bunker and be taken out at Christmas.We had these concertina type decorations, you pulled out and they would have some Christmassy scene on them, we would criss cross them on the ceiling too, using drawing pins to hold them up. the red and green baubles for the tree, it was artificial tree, that came out every year too, I didn't know anyone who had a real tree, (too dear) My ma would get a string and put it above the fire place and hang the Christmas cards on it,who can forget as a wean getting up on Christmas morning to see what was in the sock !!!!! sweeties and always a tangerine !!! Do people still put up socks for their children ???? Good memories.

I remember those concertina type ones where you hung from one corner to the light, on all four corners. I have seen some of these at the Chinese type shops here in Oz. My mammy also hung a string above the fire place for the cards. I also remember dying to get to the sock because I knew there would be a tangerine in it, I'm not sure if they hang socks anymore, they have these lovely Christmas stockings now. They were indeed great memories.
Rose

[DannyGill]

Hi Gang,
Just like Frank said I remember making the [coloured] paper chains in primary school and taking them hame to give to your Ma and we always put newspaper underneath Xmas tree so all the wee needles could be gathered up easily after the Xmas festivities were over but it was Hogmanay that was the real special occasion. Your Ma would scrub the hoose spotlessly and all the food and drink were put on the table waiting for the Bells to bring in the N'eerday, oh those were great days and I lived and worked in different countries in my lifetime but New Year was never bettered than the soo-side.
Regards.
Danny

[margaretmcgettigan]

I remember the concertina paper decorations, too...My Dad would hang them from each corner of the kitchen and string them to the light in the middle of the ceiling...only on one condition though...my Mammy would make him string them over the pulleys so she could get them up and down to dry her wash inside as it was too cold to hang them in the back...We were always mad at her for this as it did not look right..but she always won out...

My Dad would go to Greta's fruit on Cumberland Street and ask her for a couple of old limbs from whatever Christmas trees she would have still unsold on Christmas Eve...he would bring them home and stick them in a jam jar and put them in the middle of the table where we put cotton wool balls on them and sprinkled them with Epsom Salts...Snow and glitter all at the same time...Those were the days when weans were inventive. Great memories...Blessed Christmas to all who visit this site and a very healthy and happy New year.
Margaret

PS: Greta lived up above us on Sandyfaulds Street.

[accobra]

Hi Danny & Gang ,
Merry Christmas to one and all the Background Staff who do a Grand job thanks a
Million. Decorations Danny yes those paper chains were strung out like washing line corner to
the light in the middle of the room and "Crepe Paper" that was a very versatile product and when you cut strips of it and twisted it round it would either hand the walls and sometimes you made the letter "W"
everywhere yes a lot of fun Those were the days and those dam pine needles what a mess .!!
I think we actually made the paper chains that was laborious .

Wind forward we have an oak tree in our garden and for the last few years we have taken a twig of the tree and whittled the end of it and our twig fits into a Log which acts as the base and the lights and decorations go on . Our friends who are also retired have done the same this year but they were saying that they were envious of our lights . they did,t have any this year !! Anyway welcome to the real World Danny ! I am off now to Skype the Grand -Children and I think I will have a wee Dram.
Merry xmas Everyone

Reg

[accobra]

Hi Sheila ,
last reply was initially for "wee Granny not Danny my apologies I think my eyesight is
going Anyway keep up the good work .!!!

Best regards Reg

[amelia]

Hi Everyone
Merry Christmas to all my friends on the site, waiting patiently for my son-in-law coming up to take us down to his house.
I miss all the buzz when I had the whole family up and cooking and decorating the tables for the day no got all the mess to clean up after Christmas now
The schools still make the chain decorations to this day as my grand children were making them in school.

I hope you all have a happy Christmas and eat all you can and drink as much I hope you don't have a hangover in the morning.
Amelia
x