Spirit of the season

FEW PEOPLE can recall going into the festive season at a time of such doom and gloom. Many of us remember when little treats were much looked forward to — a tangerine, some plasticine, maybe a few balloons or colouring pencils in our stockings.

The Dandy or Beezer annual, a game of Ludo or snakes and ladders kept us amused throughout Christmas day.

Many presents were homemade. Mum secreted herself away in the evening for weeks before Christmas, knitting and sewing and making little felt toys.