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I Knew It Was Christmas

I knew it was coming up to Christmas when Mom started to stress
About the lack of money and if she could get us all a new dress
I knew it was Christmas Eve when we left Father Christmas a drink & mince pie
& when we went to bed we were told not to peep, but we always risked one eye
I knew it was Christmas morning when we rushed down to find presents, but not too many
There was usually  a doll , a football,  tin of toffees, an orange and a bright shiny new penny
I knew it was Christmas breakfast because it was the only time we had a full English
That crispy bacon, fatty sausage and runny egg, wow what complete bliss
I knew it was Christmas afternoon because Nan got her Advacaat out
Top of the Pops on so loud, “turn that racket down” Grandad would shout
I knew it was Christmas Evening as the relatives would all come for a party
Packed into our tiny home would be cousins, Uncles and Aunties
I knew it was Christmas Party in full swing, as Uncle got out his trumpet
And started to murder songs by Acker Bilk and his hero Herb Alpert,
I knew it was going to get interesting when the men all went into the kitchen to open the 7 pint beer barrel
& the older generation insisted we all sang Carol after Carol
Then Mom and Auntie would get out their bottles of sherry
Auntie’s wig would slip further down her forehead, as she got more & more merry
Eventually my husband came into our lovely family clan
& every year I  knew it was time to call it a night when
He was always the first to “pass out” on the floor
Family would have to climb over him to get to the front door
I knew it was Boxing Day when Nan reached for the Bigmag because of her over indulgence
& the other grown-ups were holding their heads because of their festive involvement
Nowadays Father Christmas has lost a little of his charm & has changed into “Santa”
Who children think can bring toys galore, the price tag doesn’t seem to matter
Kids don’t think of it as a religious celebration, only of what presents they got
It’s such a shame the true meaning of the festive season seems to be lost

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