Long before Morecambe and Wise took over the TV Christmas schedule, the 1950s vintage Christmas for children was all about decorations, eating and the anticipation of presents from Santa Claus.

Why not let us know your childhood memories of a 1950s vintage Christmas in the comments section below?

When did the tree go up?

The Christmas tree seems to get earlier and earlier with each passing year. It seems that you can be wandering around in September nowadays and spot a Christmas tree in someone’s window.

However, back in the 1950s, early was a week before Christmas with many households putting their tree up on Christmas eve or the day before Christmas Eve.  Do you still do this in memory of a true vintage Christmas?

After Christmas, many households nowadays just want the tree down and out with the next rubbish collection. A 1950s tradition was always to keep the tree intact until the 12th night after the 25of December

1950s Vintage Christmas memories

Our Springchicken Facebook community shared the reminiscences of a 1950s Christmas. For many, it was filled with family and fun but most all the anticipation.

My wonderful childhood memories of a 1950s Christmas revolved around the build up to the big day - making paperchain Christmas decorations by licking the glued ends and cutting the crepe paper until one's fingers hurt (but the result was spectacular when twirled).

Buying the Christmas tree was always a much-anticipated afar, when would it turn up? How big would it be this year? Will Mum be happy with it or will Dad be in the doghouse again?

Decorating the Christmas tree was another of those defining moments, colourful baubles, painted fir cones (still in service from austerity times), some more recent plastic novelties, the candles and the fairy doll as the crowning glory at the top.

Then there was buying the presents for everyone and wrapping them up and hoping that Father Christmas was not going to forget to fill your stocking.

Christmas day was the magic moment. Waking up to see a full stocking with a cracker peeping out of the top and an apple or tangerine at the toe end. The excitement of opening lots of little gifts and coming downstairs to see more presents set underneath the decorated tree.

When did you open your presents?

It seems that families up and down the land have very different traditions. It’s unimaginable for families that open all their presents as soon as they wake up to have the willpower to hold on till after dinner.

Some Spring Chicken families even reported saving some Christmas gifts for Boxing Day!

Opening time had to wait till after the Queen's broadcast. Lunchtime - turkey, bread sauce and Brussels sprouts, a flaming Christmas pudding and the hope you get the slice with a sixpenny piece.

A proper Christmas dinner. Now it's time to pull the crackers. Stuffed!

There was even one Spring Chicken that recalled saving a present for all 12 days of Christmas. Can you imagine the self-control required when you were 6 to be able to do this?

Let us know your Christmas present protocol in the comments section below.

1950s Vintage Christmas cards

Christmas cards were very much a part of the vintage Christmas experience, some Springchickens still recall going from door to door in the early 1950s delivering Christmas cards by hand with homemade gifts and cakes. Wishing their neighbours, a Happy Christmas and singing Christmas carols.

I remember spending hours going ‘round our neighbourhood in Liverpool with a sack of cards. As children we just wanted to drop them off and go but my Mum always wanted a chat. It was always so cold and dark but everyone’s house always looked so warm and inviting. Only when we got to our Aunt Dot’s house were we allowed inside for some hot chocolate – lovely memories.

Do you still send Christmas cards? There has been a rapid decline over the past decade in Christmas cards for a myriad of reasons, cost of postage, environmental issues and a busy lifestyle.

Even though we have witnessed a downturn the UK is still holding on to tradition. A report from the Greeting Card Association shows that the UK spend more per capita on this tradition than anywhere else in the world.

It looks like old habits die hard.

Let’s be honest it’s still a special feeling when your first Christmas card of the season lands on your doormat!

Let us know your memories of Christmases gone by in the comments section below, we'd love to hear from you.

Hope you have a Merry Christmas.

       

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