On thinking of Christmas, I am transported back to a time before commercialism and expensive gifts took over! A time of joy when you saw that Santa and his wee helpers had eaten the biscuits and carrots left for them on Christmas Eve. Santa even took time to write a thank you note complete with reindeer hoof print. I remember the anticipation and thrill of emptying out an old sock, the largest found in Dad’s drawer, to find an eclectic mix of imaginative wee presents left there. The yoyo, chocolates, and tangerine, wonderful treats!
It was a time when businesses closed early on Christmas Eve and stayed closed over the holiday period. This gave fathers a chance to accompany their families on a visit to Glasgow’s displays on Christmas Eve. Glasgow’s large department stores had the most magnificent and imaginative Christmas displays, no expense spared! These displays were created, not for sales purposes, but just for public enjoyment. Oh, and to make sure they beat rival stores in originality and amazement! Sauchiehall Street competed with Buchanan Street for streetlight and shop display magnificence.
Crowds would gather at each shop windows to ogle for ages at the toy trains full of goodies weaving in and out of winter wonderlands, or at some story book character acting out a tale with elves and Santa as part of the plot. Children of course would ensure they could press noses to windows, and it was they who dictated how long parents stayed at each display! Finally, after an evening of wonder and joy, all would head off to George Square to gaze at the lights, decorations, Nativity scene and of course the enormous Christmas tree. Glasgow certainly did its citizens proud, as it glowed and glittered at Christmas.
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