From my house to yours, here’s a virtual stocking filled with seven Christmas stories for your reading pleasure.
1. Christmas Stories: My Dad’s Best Christmas
When I asked my father what was the best Christmas of his life, he answered without any hesitation “Christmas 1945!” Then he told me this charming story. Click here to read: My Dad’s Best Christmas.
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2. Christmas Stories: The Mail Must Get Through
Mail was a lifeline at Christmas between the lonely men and women serving overseas, and their families back home. The Royal Canadian Air Force made sure the mail got through to them. For more: The Morale Squadron Made Mail Their Mission.
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3. Christmas Stories: Dresden Church Resurrected
Every tiny black spot on the walls of the Church of Our Lady in Dresden, Germany is an original smoke-blackened stone. All that was left after an Allied bombing raid in 1945 was a pile of rubble, until 1990. That’s when the whole city, helped by citizens around the world, began to rebuild this historic cathedral. For more: Dresden Church Rose From the Ashes.
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4. Christmas Stories: Home at Last
When peace was declared, can you imagine the joy on the part of families around the world when they realized they would be reunited for their first Christmas in years? I love the expressions on the faces of this British father and his baby! These photos show just a few of the thousands of happy homecomings: I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
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5. Christmas Stories: Wartime Christmas Cards
The Australians, New Zealanders, and Canadians had some of the longest separations from their homes and families in wartime, since they entered the war in 1939 and many did not get home until 1946. The British and even the Germans got home on leave — but not the forces from overseas. For more: Christmas Cards in Wartime.
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6. Christmas Stories: Ten Christmas Traditions
Here’s a personal look at some of the Christmas traditions followed by my family, and dear to my heart. I’m even sharing the recipe for my mother’s famous dish, June’s Jellied Salad! For more: Ten Favourite Christmas Traditions.
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7. Christmas Stories: My Traditional Tree
I love decorating my traditional tree with some treasured vintage ornaments, collected from my parents, grandparents, and children. In Mexico, where we lived for about eighteen months when my children were small, the devil is an essential part of the Christmas pageant, when he is driven away by Christmas angels. For more: Tour My Traditional Tree.
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Have a Very Merry Christmas!
Friends, along with my real tree I put up an artificial white tree in the home office where I do all my writing, because I think it shows off my sparkly vintage ornaments. There isn’t room for them all on two trees!
I’m sending you a very sincere wish for a happy holiday season, and my fervent hopes for a brighter new year!
With much affection, Elinor
