But for a couple of months each year he and my mother became
Santa's helpers or Elves.
They would spend evenings and any spare time they had secluded
in Dad's workshop creating toys to help Santa...doll cupboards,
cradles, doll swings, high chairs, rocking horses, small tables and
chairs and more.
Mother would sand and paint each item. Left
over wood from his construction business would be cut into blocks.
That was one of his most popular requests.
We never knew who had placed an order or when they were picked
up or delivered...only that with Santa's busy schedule he needed
their help.
My sister and I spent many happy childhood hours playing with
our blocks, doll furniture or playing at our little table. Today
our children and grandchildren now enjoy playing with many of
these heirlooms.
Today's question for the Give Away is: Do you recall a
favorite toy Santa left you as a child?
Hope you have fond memories of that special Christmas toy.
Nola
Nola, we never had a lot of money when I was a child and there were 4 of us kids. Lots of our gifts were family gifts. I remember one Christmas when we got a red wagon. It had side boards and all.(I can't remember for sure, but it might have been called Western Flyer or some such name.) We were so thrilled. A couple of us at a time would get in that wagon, seated. We held on to the tongue to guide us. We started on top of our cellar. The other two would push us off and we could coast all the way to the barn. I am sure this was pretty dangerous, but I don't remember any of us getting hurt. What fun we had with that little red wagon! I think it finally rusted away, but sure had lots of miles on it. LOL Winona
ReplyDeleteI recall a special toy that Santa lefte me when I was about 3 or 4. It was a little toy piano and they tell me I was so excited that I couldn't even touch it for awhile.
ReplyDeleteHi Nola!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful memory! I love the cupboard - did your father make the one in the photo? It is so cute!
I love to think of the Christmas' gone by and the warm way that they usually make me feel. Although my father was a wonderful man, and I miss him greatly, he was an alcoholic. Our Christmas' were not always wonderful. That being said, he was a fireman, and the fireman in our community would fix up toys to give to children who's families could not afford Christmas. I remember him fixing bicycles and other toys late into the night to make sure that no one was left out. He was a perfectionist, so they would look brand new when he was finished!
My favorite Christmas present had to be a watch I got when I was 14. Our family had just moved into a new home that my parents had built the week before Christmas and I knew that my parents did not have any money for Christmas. I was thrilled with the watch, mostly because I knew that my parents had sacrificed for it. I wore it for many, many years and felt so bad when it quit working.
Thanks for making me think about Christmas - I really do have many good memories... :0)
Hugs,
Barb
My first baby doll. I have saved her from the shed a few years ago and re-dresses her and gave her a new wig and she sits in my living room in a small high chair.
ReplyDeleteYup, Fido. He was a blue and yellow stuffed dog that my mom bought with green stamps. There were 7 of us kids, so it was usually a one gift apiece deal...not like the over load most kiddos get now.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was four Santa left me a little china tea set In my haste to use it I broke a cup I was devastated
ReplyDeleteI still have the tea set and love to play with it with my grandaughter