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Childhood Memories of Christmas' Past

by ŠElnipa,  December 2002

Song playing is "O Tannebaum" by Nat King Cole

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I grew up in Germany, Bavaria to be exact.

Weeks before Christmas it all begins with baking cookies and a huge Stollen (a special Christmas bread).
I got to help, by putting nuts and sprinkles on and I also got to cut some of the shaped ones out.
All had to be perfect, there were so many kinds, all different shapes and colors. The kitchen smelled so good, the smell would waft throughout the whole house.

In Bavaria, we celebrate St. Nikolaus day on December 6th, a fore bearer of the Christ Child.
St. Nikolaus checks on the children to see
if they where naughty or good, he brings some gifts of fruit and nuts or if need be a switch, lol.
I remember one day, when St. Nick ask me if I would be good and my answer: "with time." I guess it was asking to much to be good all at once, lol. I was so scared and my voice barely audible.

In the southern part of Germany, the Christ Child brings the gifts and also decorates the tree on Christmas Eve..

I remember having to stay out in the cold hallway all bundled up and singing my heart out for the Christ Child, all the carols I could remember.
And my Mother telling me if I peeped thru' the keyhole, the Christ Child would blow pepper in my eyes, oh my!
It seemed to take forever, since I was all alone and no one to share this time with.
When the door finally opened; oh what splendor. The tree was all decorated and the real wax candles in special clip holders burning on the tree, the silver tinsel hung perfectly straight so it can reflect the lights, like icicles. Mother would keep a constant vigil on the candles.
The gifts all wrapped under the tree.
Remember, I grew up during WWII and you could not buy anything, so Mother would knit me an outfit and one to match for my old doll, she could knit those beautiful Norwegian designs, all done with recycled yarn, since there was nothing you could buy. Mother was a real miracle worker with those knitting needles.
One year I got a little pink doll carriage, all made out of wood, even the wheels, oh how proud I was of it.
Another year I got a sled also homemade even the metal runners.
To my dismay, it would never run as fast down hill as all the other store bought ones, that where handed down.
I still have mine to this day.
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We would have a special sausage and potato salad and a lettuce salad and afterwards cookies and tea or hot chocolate, if we had any. The adults would have Gluehwein (hot spiced red wine.)
Mother and I where alone so there was none in my house until years later.

What precious memories of Christmas's gone by.
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Note from Bunny.

You call to memory such wonderful times Elni! Even though we were poor also, it was a wonderful family time.
Thank you for sharing part of your life with us.

Thank you God for letting me make this page

If at first you don't succeed, throw away the pain, but keep the lesson..........

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