A simple Christmas

Family Christmas at Grandad’s house was a very simple affair shaped by the rhythms of farm life. As a small Dairy Farmer it was as much about hard work as it was about family.

On Christmas Eve his day would start early as usual at around 5:30 am in the morning to tend to his cows. With the help of two dedicated workers, he would milk the cows, clean the stalls, and feed the adult cows and the youngstock. After completing the morning chores, the family would gather for a modest lunch before going to the stable to collect his favourite horse and hitch it into the little trap that was used as the family’s transport outside of the farm. My Grandmother and the four children were loaded into the little horse and trap and off they would go trotting up the little lane which leads to Castle Cary. The atmosphere there was warm and inviting; some of the shops were brightly decorated with simple homemade decorations and some had candles burning in the windows. No electric lights or flashing illuminated toys, instead there were little stalls selling hot chestnuts and others doing little tins of hot soup and broth. Mulled cider was also happily consumed buy some adults but never Grandad as he never liked any alcoholic drink believe it or not!

After Grandad had tied up the horse and trap, he, Grandmother and the children would go into the little shops and they would buy small gifts for one another, with the money the children had saved from their pocket money. They would then be loaded back into the horse and trap and make their way back down the lane to the little farm at the bottom of the hill. When they got home the would all wrap their precious little presents in newspaper as brightly coloured Christmas paper was not available.

As night fell, the children would be tucked up safely in bed and Christmas Day would dawn with no particular fanfare or different happenings to disturb the routine on the farm which was the same as every other day in the year. Grandad and his two helpers would do the usual morning chores of milking, cleaning and feeding which were necessary to tend all of the animals.

They would then make their way back to their respective houses where nothing would’ve happened as yet because the family always waited for Grandad to come home before they would share any presents together. Once he was home and cleaned up they would sit down by the Christmas Tree in front of the fire and they would open their little presents, all of which were very gratefully received and all of them very simple but no less treasured.

As the day unfolded my Grandmother would prepare Christmas lunch which was usually pork as that was much more available than turkey in those days. That would be enjoyed by the whole family and after lunch the farm chores would start all over again. Back would come his two helpers, they and Grandad would do the afternoon milking, cleaning, feeding and all the other bits and pieces that were required to keep the animals fed watered and safe and sound.

Once the afternoon chores were finished it was time for them to go back home to their families where a simple evening meal was enjoyed, prepared by my Grandmother and shared in the candle light in front of the fire. The children would be happily amusing themselves with their new little presents and then it was time for bed as Christmas Day was done.

The following morning—Boxing Day—was much like any other day on the farm. For families like ours, there were no extravagant outings or lavish celebrations; essential work awaited Grandad, my Grandmother, my Dad Tom, his brother and two sisters.

I will leave it to you to reflect whether they were happier or less so than families today who have many more distractions that can confuse Christmas day.