Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

If thinking things and wishing things

Will help to make them true

You'll be so glad this Christmas

You won't know what to do

Mrs. Clarence Stuber
Spencerville Ohio
R.F.D. 5


Joyous Christmas & Happy New Year


Love


Beck


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This postcard, postmarked December 22, ___ from Midland, Michigan, was sent to my paternal greataunt, Vera (HALEY) STUBER.  I'm not sure who the Beck might be.

Advent Calendar : Christmas Gifts

What were your favorite gifts, both to receive and to give? Are there specific gift-giving traditions among your family or ancestors?


These days, I pretty much like try to stay with the lists I'm given.  I don't do subtle too well, if there is something you specifically want, you need to tell me about it.  


As for favorite gifts, I'm happy with a good history or genealogy book.  As a kid, one of my most memorable gifts was the year I received a Commodore 64 computer.  It was memorable because not only did I not think I would be getting one, but in the way it was discovered.  We thought all of our presents were done and then I was told there was "one more" - and it was a great surprise.


Traditionally, Eileen and I get each other a calendar every year - mine is usually a Civil War theme, hers is of our dog breed.  My mom still puts tube socks and oranges in our stockings at her house.  The girls always have a big shopping day just before Christmas for new clothes, etc. each year.


I asked mom and dad to share what they remembered :

As a child, I was enjoyed receiving a new doll each year.   My mother usually made me a complete wardrobe of clothes to go with the doll. Once she made me matching clothes.  As an adult, I enjoy giving gifts that I have made especially pies and other goodies and sewn items.     Your dad remembers getting a wooden barn that Paul had made and a metal filling station.   The next year he got a train that he enjoyed.   He's still getting trains for Christmas.   

Advent Calendar : Grab Bag

Author’s choice. Please post from a topic that helps you remember Christmases past!


One memory that I have of Christmases past was Christmas caroling with the adults of the First Christian Church in Alexandria, Indiana when I was a youngster.  


I can remember loading up on a bus and driving around, probably to local nursing homes and shut-ins, and singing the traditional Christmas carols.


But what stands out in my mind has nothing to do with Christmas, but instead has to do with one of the adults in the group (who I won't yet name) who lead everyone on the bus with rousing choruses of non-Christmas songs as we drove from place to place.


There is one song in particular that I can still hear him sing today : "My Gal's A Corker".  The lyrics were over my head at the time, but I knew it must have been risque.