CHRISTMAS---1930's STYLE

 In today's world of I-Phones and "texts" instead of conversation and "grunts" instead of hello does it seem to you that somethings wrong?
It seems that before the smoke clears from the Fire Works of the 4th of July we are into Christmas.  We rush through Labor Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, while plowing through Christmas decorations in the stores looking for turkeys and pumpkins.
Let us take a step back to 1936.  Thanksgiving meant a family dinner with all the immediate family and good friends gathered around the table filled with turkey and dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and so many other great things, like pumpkin pie with real whipped cream and maybe a cake or two.  Then, always, the family prayer before the meal.
In 1936 Christmas started about two weeks after Thanksgiving.  That is when the tree was selected (always a live tree),, the decorations were hauled out of the attic, the lights were all tested, to make sure they were all good.  That was done with a "transformer" to step down the voltage to 7.5 volts.  The ornaments were the same ones used last year and the tinsel was last years too (saved money).  The tree, being live, had to sit in water which had to be filled every day, one reason we didn't put it up too early!  Oh yes, the tree holder in our house was an iron pot and the tree was stabilized with a collection of just the right size rocks, yes just plain rocks.
The matter of presents, and there were usually not too many, was handled my the firm warning that anything showing up under the tree was not to be tampered with.  Then on Christmas Eve Santa Claus (or Mom and Dad to older kids) sneaked toys (that had been hidden for days) under the tree.
Christmas morning was always a family affair, early to be sure, with all in pajamas and bathrobes.
The tree and the decorations and the festive look was always enjoyed  until New Years Day.  Then everything was carefully taken off the tree and packed away and placed back in the attic to await next year's MERRY CHRISTMAS!..Medicineman!