Christmas Now and Then

As Christmas draws near, I can't help but reflect on how Christmas has changed over the years.
The first Christmas I really remember was when I was four.  I got a copper-colored kitchen set from my parents for Christmas.  There is a picture of me playing with this kitchen set. I still have my pajamas on and my hair is in rollers.


One memorable Christmas was the year I really wanted the pink ballerina doll

She came with her own pink record and she spun around if you pushed the middle of her crown.

I was thrilled to death when I opened her up on Christmas day. I played with her for hours.

Suzy Homemaker toys weren't far behind.

Suzy Homemaker Toys

I think my mother was trying to turn me into the perfect little homemaker. I had the oven, dishwasher, and clothes washer/dryer.  That oven was the best. Making mini cakes was just great.

Malibu Barbie became my obsession. Like every other little girl of the early 70s, the suntanned goddess that is Malibu Barbie was our dream girl. She lived the good life: surfing, playing on the beach, driving around in her convertible, and living in California, the place we all dreamed of living.

The Barbie camper came along a few years later. Although not as cool as my brother's action figure camper, it was nonetheless cool.  Barbie was a serious camper on the sunny beaches and cool forests of the California coast aka my bed.

Probably one of most unusual gifts I received was a massive New England saltbox dollhouse.  It was one of those dollhouses meant for decorating not playing with. My mother and I painted it blue-grey on the outside and spent the next few years purchased miniature furniture for this house.  It was massive but quite beautiful.

Christmas seemed like such a magical time back then even after I learned that Santa wasn't a real person.

As an adult, Christmas is still magical but not in the same way that it was as a child.  Now, I look forward to spending time with my husband and enjoying the peace and serenity of a day off with no errands and no housecleaning duties.

I look forward to this Christmas, the last one before I turn 50.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!