Christmas Memories of Simpler Times

As we enjoy our own versions of Christmas in the week to come, with our own rituals, let us keep one eye on the past, for in doing so, we might find something even more beautiful in the years to come.

If you find the fleeting changes of modern life wearisome, maybe even overwhelming, join me on a journey, a path well-trodden, as I share heartfelt and often nostalgic reflections on living slowly, simply, and in tune with the seasons.

---

Some of our fondest memories are to be found when looking back on Christmases past. We can all reminisce, often at length, about the Christmases of our childhood, and of course, how much has changed in the intervening years. As many of us seek to rediscover the simple joys of the festive season, perhaps, at this most busiest time of year, we might look back, and in doing so, seek inspiration from those who came before. In the post, I’d like to share with you four videos, all of which, to me, bring forth the essence of a Christmas in simpler times.

We start with this 1973 programme, in which three ladies share their memories of Christmases past, as children in the Edwardian period, and as adults in the years between the wars. I can almost guarantee that this is the most heart-warming thing you’ll watch this Christmas.

By comparison, we now live in a world where Christmas is one of excess. Even for those of us who have sought to simplify how we approach and celebrate the festive season, it is a far cry from those early years of the last century. As children, they had never seen moving pictures, almost unimaginable to our modern minds. Almost everything was homemade and homegrown, from food to decorations, presents to drink. Their good turn at Christmas was to invite a lady from the workhouse to join them for Christmas dinner. This was the era where one, simple present, a skipping rope or rag doll, was cherished and enjoyed in great amazement and with grateful thanks. Of course, some things haven’t changed; the emphasis on family and community, in sharing, and in looking after those less fortunate than ourselves.

Just as in the Edwardian era, food has and always will be an incredibly important part of our Christmas celebrations. In those days, chicken was a luxury, and most people had never seen or eaten a turkey. So many traditions though, have remained with us, particularly when it comes to Christmas baking, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy in this 1978 edition of Yorkshire Television’s Farmhouse Kitchen.

It is a reminder than so much of Christmas still revolves around ritual. The ritual of the Christmas pudding and Christmas cake in particular have endured throughout the generations. As many as alternatives exist, the shops now are still laden high with puddings, cakes and mince pies. For those of us who make our own, those rituals can begin as early as September, stepping stones on a pathway towards Advent and Christmas. This programme is also a reminder how much is passed down through families, not just traditions, but recipes and rituals too, each successive generation putting a little of their own stamp on them.

[Incidentally, many modern Christmas puddings do not contain breadcrumbs, and as explained here, it is these which help to give these dark and rich puddings a certain lightness.]

---

This Rediscover · Reconnect · Re-Emerge post is free to read; however, to dig deeper and access the full range of posts and resources, you can become a paid subscriber for just £4 a month, or £40 a year. Paid subscriptions help me to continue creating new content, affording me time and space to explore new ideas, and allow me to continue supporting others to do the same. Every paid subscription has a big impact.

---

Our love of food and all things Christmassy remains undiminished. Food is often the centre of the celebrations, at the heart of both the family and the wider community. It is, for many, an opportunity to share. In this 1997 episode of Two Fat Ladies, Jennifer and Clarissa cook for the Winchester Cathedral Choir.

There is something deeply touching about the beauty and simplicity of music, particularly at Christmas. How many of us, I wonder, still prepare our Christmas Day food to the accompaniment of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge, on Christmas Eve? In the words of Shakespeare:

‘If music be the food of love, play on’

I had the deep misfortune of having to pop into Tesco last week. The politest term I can think to describe it was ‘vile’. If the world today craves a Christmas of excess, then this was it. Trolleys overflowing, queues everywhere, bad tempers abound, and quite honestly, pure gluttony. I can do little other than to throw my hands up in the air, exclaiming with despair, “how did it come to this?”

But deep down, I think this is all a mask, to hide what we really crave: simplicity. It’s existed before, and it can again. This episode of Tales from the Green Valley shows Christmas as it was in the 16th century. For all the feasting and celebration, it has a charm and simplicity which I, and I’m sure you, would be happy to return to.

So, as we all enjoy our own versions of Christmas in the week to come, with our own rituals, routines and traditions, let us keep one eye on the past, for in doing so, we might find something even more beautiful and special in the years to come.

---

If you’re not already doing so, I’d love you to follow me over on Instagram. You can also visit the A Life More Creative website, where you can find out more about My Story, and read articles from my online Journal. Subscribe on Substack to receive new posts and to support my work: