I am almost certain that we took these pictures 51 years ago on this very day, December 24 1973. Of course, cameras back then only exposed the negative and recorded no other data, so I can't be 100% sure. Aside from the date, I can tell you that they were taken using a 35mm Pentax Spotmatic II with a 50mm lens.
I almost forgot that I made this collage, which contains a little more than just Christmas Eve in the top right photo, but I think it fits well with the others
We travelled every Christmas for about ten years before we began having it on our own home. We would travel the 200 miles from Sarnia to Toronto and would stay at my parents house for Christmas. They lived in Mississauga on the western side of Toronto. The next day, we would trek to the eastern side of the city to celebrate Christmas with Sue's side of the family.
Because we were always on the road at Christmastime, Sue would decorate our own domicile by December 1st, so we could enjoy the Christmas feeling at our own place for awhile. She has continued the tradition ever since, even though we have been at home for more than 40 years.
My parents drove us hours and hours to my Grandparents place and then we gathered at an Aunt's house for Christmas ...like you for years. Then we started to stay home. Traveling in the winter is risky at best.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Christmas Eve.
Wonderful photos. Merry Christmas to you and your fine family!
ReplyDeleteSo great to remember the rabbit ears on the TV, and think of visiting all the grandparents with presents going and coming! Loved seeing your vintage shots.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, rabbit ears. That was then.
DeleteSuch cute baby pictures! Merry Christmas everyone!
ReplyDeleteShe was a cutie.
DeleteThose photos are priceless memories. We never travelled, so Christmas was always at home.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! I love these pictures, reminds me of my house growing up.
ReplyDeleteNo more travel for us at Christmas time but there once was a time before kids we would visit my parents, Dan's mom then Dan's dad at Christmas. It got to be old real fast. Merry Christmas to you there. Did you get snow last night?
ReplyDeleteYes. The plow guys came twice.
DeleteI like being in my own home at Christmas. It makes the best sense to me.
ReplyDeleteI love staying home for Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and all your family!
ReplyDeleteHappy memories...couldn't live without them. A happy Christmas to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteWhat a heartwarming tradition! It sounds like those years of traveling for Christmas created many cherished memories with both sides of the family. It's wonderful that Sue took the time to decorate your home early in December, allowing you to enjoy the festive spirit even when you were on the road.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas. Thanks for the wonderful pictures.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the photos before, they are all great!
ReplyDeleteThat TV sure brings back memories.
ReplyDeleteWe traveled back to our hometown only a few times at Christmas. An 8 hour drive across the winter mountains was not a good idea. Now, our oldest son lives on the other side of the mountains so it's a rare treat to see him in winter.
Merry Christmas to you and yours, AC!