A Christmas Memory (Susan Ault)

[This piece was provided by Susan Ault's mother who is 92 years old. Prior to the pandemic she golfed most days, loved bowling and enjoyed traveling the world.]

It all began with the Christmas ‘Wishbooks’ coming in the mail.  Oh, how we poured over those pages knowing they were for our eyes only!  Soon, practicing for the annual country school program began.  The usual carols, skits and solos were rehearsed during the last two hours of the school day.  What an exciting night for us!  We knew our parts, wore our best clothing, and tried to make our parents proud of us!  We performed on a stage made by stringing a wire from which hung sheets across the front of the room.  After the program, mothers served a cold lunch.  Often students drew names and gifts were exchanged.  Inside the wrapped packages were puzzles, books, ‘Evening in Paris’ perfume, stationery, and (perish the thought) a box of ‘hankies.’

Each year a free movie and candy were given to the children of the area.  Mom began Christmas baking (and hiding the goodies) well in advance of the holidays.  Dad bought a fir tree home, but we were not allowed  to decorate it until three days prior to Christmas Eve. Our decorations were few; however, we made strings of popcorn and red and green paper chains.  We saved the silver wrappings from Hershey bars for ornaments, and dad made a big gold star for the top!  Red and green crepe streamers were added to our living room ceiling with a large crepe folding bell hanging from the center.  We counted down the days and hours until December 24 when a Scandinavian supper of lutefisk, potatoes, veggies, buns, and lefse would be served.  Those who disliked lutefisk were served boiled rice which was Danish.  After finishing the meal, we kids stayed in the kitchen and Santa (Dad) put our gifts under the tree-gifts that were bought on sale in the late afternoon of Christmas Eve.  None of the treasures found in the catalogs were ever found there, but we were usually happy with the meager gifts we opened.  When the crops were good, the girls were given big baby dolls, tea sets, paper dolls, board games, and something to wear.
 
On Christmas Day, bless her heart, mom managed to serve the complete traditional dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and all the fixings and dessert.  The long Christmas vacation began.  Our country school was two and a half miles from home and yes, we generally walked.  We cut across the snowy fields or walked along the railway tracks.  After the highway was completed, we hitchhiked and got into any car that would pick us up.  Our noses and our feet were often badly frostbitten.  There were no skates or skis, but sleds were made from cardboard boxes.