Carnival of Genealogy: A Charles Dickens Christmas

Charles Dickens Christmas - Christmas Past, Present and Future

I have lots of memories of Christmas past but I will share one. When I was a young girl, our family lived across the road from my paternal grandparents. We could visit them often. Of course, we went over either on Christmas Day or Boxing Day to visit them. Often we would see our other aunts and uncles and cousins who also had come to visit.

I am not sure when this photo was taken of my grandfather William Iles and my grandmother Emily Lily Iles nee Dudley (seated) and my aunt May. I would think either late 1950s or early 1960s. It is interesting to note the items in the background: the record player, the Christmas Cards, the TV. etc. On the wall are photos. The one in the upper left corner is of my Dad in his army uniform.

Christmas Present
This Christmas my focus is on getting ready to move in a couple of weeks. I did not decorate at all. Christmas I will attend the last Christmas Eve Service at Knox United.

Christmas Day, I will spend with my nephews and their partners/spouses and their mom and uncle. As I write, I don't know the details but I am looking forward to getting together. Update: Christmas morning, I will attend the church service at Knox. Then in the afternoon, I will get together with the family.

Christmas Future
I would like to host a Christmas get together at my new home with my siblings, nieces and nephews and great niece(s) and great nephew(s) present. The place would be decorated and we would enjoy good food. I don't know if all could come but I can dream.




© 2011 Janet Iles

Advent Calendar of Memories - December 4 - Christmas Cards

Christmas Cards were always welcomed at our home. Sometimes they would be put on a table or on a television, or perhaps posted on the wall and sometimes on an iron Christmas tree for showing cards. My mother sent many cards to family and friends. She had a Christmas Card book that had the addresses with a place for check marks for those sent and received. It was interesting to see the changes of address as people moved or were married. It was sad to see a name erased due to their passing.

There are still some boxes of cards received that I will pack up and take me with to my new home. From time to time, I got through me and discard some but I still have those that are special that I want to keep.

I look forward to receiving cards, especially where a Christmas letter is enclosed. I still need to make my list for this year.

In my postcard box, I have some special cards that I have kept. The following is an old Christmas postcard. It says to Jack to Will. I am not too sure who each of these people were but I liked the photograph and thought.

© 2011 Janet Iles

Advent Calendar of Memories - December 1 - Christmas tree

During the early years, our family had a real Christmas tree. Eventually, we purchased an artificial tree. The quality of these improved over the years. We also had favourite ornaments that we loved to place on the tree. Over time new ones were added. Special are the ones that my mother made as part of the women's group.

I haven't put a large Christmas tree for a number of years. It is a lot of work for only one person to enjoy. I have put up my yarn Guatemalan wall tree with its minature ornaments. This year, I am preparing to move in January so I am not sure whether it will go up.

Below are a couple of Christmas trees that I got to enjoy over the Christmas holidays last year.

at my sister-in-law's place

at my sister's

© 2011 Janet Iles