HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-12-04, Page 51W
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Listowel Gift Guide, Wednesday, December 4, 1985 ---Page 19
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The Depression years brought leaner times for
many, but people of that era remember Christmas
often with some fondness because of a return to.
more traditional values.
Families fortunate enough to have a radio would
gather round to listen to the King's Christmas mes-
sage.
Stockings were still filled as well as possible.
Lead soldiers were popular with the boys. Sleighs
complete with bells were still very much in every
day use.
During the Second World War (1939-1945), ration-
ing became a way of life again and cooks saved up
their rations weeks in advance in order to have
enough supplies on hand to do their Christmas bak-
ing.
Many soldiers, some very young and away from
home for the first time, were welcomed into chur-
ches and homes in order to share a Christmas with
the local residents.
For children fortunate enough to have been born
after the war, there are happy memories of Santa
Claus parades, animated department store win-
dows, special performances of the "Nutcracker
Suite" ballet and many television specials.
Santa Claus
The origin of the Santa Claus figure, now such an
important part of our modern Christmas festivities,
goes back to legends surrounding St. Nicholas in
Asia Minor in the fourth century.
Eventually he became the patron saint of boys
and girls and the bearer of gifts on Dec. 6, St. Nicho-
las Day.
This gift -bearer carne to Canada in many diffe-
rent forms: as St. Nicholas, as the British "Father
Christmas", and later as Santa Claus.
® His visual image has changed over the years from
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the "plump and jolly elf" of 1848 to the very lean and
dapper "Father Christmas" so popular in the 1880s.
In the 19th century, unlike today, Santa Claus
brought the tree and decorated it. Gifts, as a rule,
were not wrapped unless they were to be a very
special surprise.
By 1902 a Canadian children's annual featured
Santa driving a rocket -powered sleigh. Other new
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commercial innovations quickly followed.
In 1905 Santa arrived by wagon at the T. Eaton Co.
• store in Toronto, a production that grew more lavish
over the years.
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Let the spirit of Christmases past inspire your
1985 festivities. Our ancestors knew the simple
things in life often give the most pleasure.
E1'ctric
bulil. s
While candles had been used to light trees in Ger-
many as early as 1660, the first electrically lit tree
,,glowed in a New York home in 1882.
The tree featured 80 hand -blown and hand -wired
bulbs which twinkled as the tree slowly turned on a
revolving stand.
At the same time, imported glass ornaments were
quickly becoming favorites in North America.
By the end of the century, an oriental decorating
influence was present in the form of tiny paper um-
brellas, fans and lanterns imported from Japan.
During the last quarter of the 19th century, the
commercial interest in the exchange of gifts in-
creased dramatically.
The T. Eaton Co. Ltd. published its first Christ-
mas catalogue and swelled to include toys and dolls,
as well as games and holiday decorations. From
this point on there would be no turning back.
On behalf of the Stratford -Perth Archives Board
and the staff of our three offices, I would like to wish
you all a very happy Christmas season.
How to make
Nuts and bolts
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Heat the oven to 300 degrees. Mix 12 ounces of
mixed nuts or the equivalent amount dry roasted
peanuts with one-quarter cup of margarine or
butter (melted) and toss until they are well coated.
Add one-quarter cup grated Parmesan cheese
and one-quarter teaspoon each of garlic powder,
oregano and celery salt and toss once more.
Spread the mixture in an ungreased jelly roll pan (I '
and bake, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes. Stir
in four cups of dry cereal and cool. It should be
stored in an airtight container.
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