Reminisce Christmas
A 2010 publication by "Reminisce" magazine, this is a follow-on to their previous compendium of memories, The Christmases We Used to Know. These aren't fictional experiences, but stories about Christmas by the people who lived them, from the 1930s to the 1960s (with a smattering of photos from the 1920s). Vintage toys, World War II military-themed Christmas cards, special pajamas or cowboy suits, family photos, faith-based stories, and vintage advertisements are pictured, paired with memories nostalgic, funny, and a few times just plain sad, some of them full stories, some just vignettes. There are even lined, blank spots every 30 pages or so where you can write down your own memories of Christmas past.
Brought up as I was with Italian Christmas customs, it was fun to see what other nationalities had "on the menu," so to speak: roast goose, lutefisk, Cajun gumbo, etc., but every turn of the page is a delight for Christmas lovers. There are tales from servicemen and -women in faraway places on Christmas Eve, stories of poor children who received special gifts in a needy time, people who received that special toy (and in the case of one child, a special gift that turned out to be a baby brother), Christmas pets, visits to Santa (and learning the truth about him), those "skinny Charlie Brown trees" from the past, and other Yuletide keepsakes.
If you like "Reminisce," nostalgia, or Christmas, this is the book for you!
1 comment:
Hi, Linda. I wasn’t sure where I could send you this note, other than in comments; my apologies to your other readers. If you can delete or move this comment to where it belongs, please do so.
I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs over the past year or so. I bookmarked you for your Christmas writings but have since read your other blogs, particularly nostalgia. That one brought back many memories for me. I grew up in Pawtucket during the 60’s and early 70’s. I also remember Jolly Cholly’s (where I used to take my willing, kind but unfortunate dates :-) and to this day watch Disney’s Johnny Tremain video, usually on a Sunday mornings once a month while preparing coffee and breakfast. I also see that you are familiar with Ray Testa’s “Pages in Time” Rhode Island website; I am a subscriber and contributor to his site. Ray lives down here in Texas, where I am too.
I didn’t visit often but remember Federal Hill and other places in Providence. I went to Providence College and we had plenty of interactions with folks from RIC (Rhode Island College). Darn it, I never made it to Roger Williams Park, although I drove by it often. Of course, one of Providence’s other great “landmarks” is the Giant Blue termite (his name is Nibbles Woodaway) that I always drove by on Route 95.
Having lived here in Texas for quite a few years now, there are many things that I miss about Rhode Island and New England. New York System wieners are near the top of the list and wonderful, explosive Autumn, steamers and Narragansett are a few others. Too many to list.
I could go on and on, Linda but must get back to work. I just wanted to touch base with you, as I have desired to do so for several months.
Thank you again for sharing your thoughts, memories, book and video reviews. I am indeed grateful to you, as I’m sure many others are as well.
Warm regards,
Gary
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