Thursday, December 19, 2013

Childhood Presents

I still have a few items given to me for Christmas's of my childhood.  One of the gifts was a book of Nursery Rhymes.


Growing up in the 50's, books were treasured and we didn't have many.  This book of rhymes came from my godfather, who lived in Florida.  I don't remember the package being delivered; but I imagine it was wrapped with brown grocery sack paper, and tied with string.  My name would have been printed very clearly in big black letters!!!



The worn binding tells the story of how many hours that special gift kept me occupied. 



 I loved looking at the colored illustrations.





Aren't they wonderful?  

Another gift was from 'Santa' when I was about five or six.  I remember it well.  My dad was a builder; in the summer he build homes and during the fall and winter months he did remodeling jobs.  I can remember the heated discussion my parents had about money. 
 Dad finished a remodeling job, and was told by the customer that he would be paid after Christmas, because this particular customer needed the 'milk check' to purchase Christmas gifts for his own family.  
That set my mother in a tail spin,  her kids were going to go without!!!  
True to his word, Christmas passed, and the farmer appeared at the back door with the money he owed dad.    
Later that afternoon mom went to town, where she ran into Santa.  Santa told her he missed our house and was sorry, and sent gifts home with her.  I don't know what my brother got that year, but I received this china set.  


If  you look closely, you can see it is hand painted with pine cones. 
 Isn't that an unusual design for a little girl? 

My theory is: when mom finally had the money to buy Santa gifts, all the tea-sets with pretty flowers painted on them were sold out, and this is what was left on the shelf.  I wonder how many little girls with their flowery sets still have them.  I treasure mine and the story that goes with it.  

And that's the way it is.................




21 comments:

  1. Precious memories. I still do have a floral tea set that got some 55 years ago. My granddaughter now has tea parties with it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What sweet, sweet memories. Thank you for sharing as it brought back good thoughts to me too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. i love both gifts. and love that you still have them. i still have the first teddy bear i was given as a tot in the crib. :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. I still have some books from around that time. I especially like your little tea set.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Delightful that you still have those treasured gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think your tea set with the pine cones is just perfect! Love the old book...it is well loved! Merry Christmas! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a sweet story about the tea set!! i hope your mom knows/knew that you still have it and what it means to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I was looking through a pile of childhood books the other day when I cleaned up...they are true treasures.

    Jen

    ReplyDelete
  9. You do have some treasures....I think the pine cone tea set would be so unique which makes it even more special.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nice to see the gifts. Hand printed pine work in mugs looks great. Good work!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am so amazed that you still have those delightful gifts. What wonderful memories they carry with them. Love your Mom's creativity to salvage Christmas for you kids. Guess Santa had senior moments also.
    My God mother sent me books also. I so looked forward to them. Wish people today gave more kids books to read.

    ReplyDelete
  12. It is amazing how we can save our treasures and are able to bring them forward at opportune times...love love them all especially the tea set with the pine cone motif...and some say people are nuts for keeping junk...nuts, huh?
    All the Best to You and Family...
    Loretta

    ReplyDelete
  13. that is about the sweetest story i have heard in a long time... and books were whaat i got for Christmas, they were what i asked for. my grandmother in GA mailed them to me in KY and my grandmother in FL mailed them to KY... my mother bought them to, and i read them over and over and over. i did have the set of the Nancy Drew but no idea where that is now....

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have exactly the same book, which was my mother's when she was a girl! I read it when I was little, and still treasure it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sweet Christmas memories! I still have my tea set, too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for sharing these special Christmas memories....I wonder how many children today cherish the gifts they receive ? Have a very blessed Christmas?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Enjoyed these "gifts" received in days gone by. I love the illustrations in those books and look at the condition of that tea set ... one can tell is was treasured!

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Muffy's Marks" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.

    http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-sunday-drive_22.html

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a lovely book. I am not surprised you enjoyed looking at the illustrations, they are so colourful and full of interesting things. I sometimes think people who illustrate kids books don't understand what kids really enjoy....

    Have a wonderful Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I remember a book like that from my childhood. (born in 1950) I always loved books from an early age. My grandmother had all the Little Golden Books. Remember those?

    ReplyDelete