[HPFGU-OTChatter] Re: Childhood Christmases

[Kathryn Cawte]

Grannybat

> Unwrappng my gifts in bed
>
> So this is a holiday tradition among English families? Or is it
> common among the British in general?
>
K

When I was small all my presents used to be left in a large sack with Santa
pictures on it next to my bed - once I got older they would be left under
the tree and we would all open them together Christmas morning.

On a related note - when I was about 4 or 5 my parents bought a large
inflatable Santa which they put in my room when I was asleep thinking I
would be thrilled when I woke up. About 8 am the next morning they began to
wonder why I wasn't up yet (whereas now they'd wait until at least lunchtime
before wondering <g>) so they came to check on me. I was lying in bed with
the covers over my head pretending to be asleep - having had it drummed into
my head by frazzled parents every Christmas Eve that if you are awake when
Santa arrives you don't get any presents. They used to tell people this all
the time as an amusing anecdote but at the time they were guilt-ridded and I
was traumatized.

K