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 Back in the early 1960s I had a very memorable Christmas with my family.  It was  sort of kind of like the movie Christmas story and Ralphie. Back then there was no big lists for  Santa  as you only asked for one item. You usually got more things but they were things like underwear and  clothing. You always got those things does that was when mom would give you what you need to for the upcoming year.

Now this Christmas was starting out just like the other ones as all the boys in the family and my father went to get the Christmas tree. The tree we got was actually too big for the living room so we had to cut some off and my dad put a  string in the ceiling to hold it up. Mom was Angry about this but the job of getting the Christmas tree was up to my dad and us boys. There were four of us boys and one sister. So we had a pretty good-sized family.

 Now at this time not all stores had a Santa Claus so we went to the one store that had one and I cannot remember the name of the store. Anyhow we stood in line and then it was my turn to talk to Santa. A good thing they didn't have any  ramp that we have a leave by as I know I would get kicked  download it like in the Christmas story. But when I got up to  Santa the thing I asked for was a radio of the short wave type so I can listen to the world. Being able to listen to all the different countries is what I really wanted, so I asked Santa for this and really hoped that I got it. Back then the family did not have much money and no was trying to believe in Santa Claus but I was not holding my breath.

 Now leading up to Christmas day all us kids were making gifts for everybody else in the family. At school you were able to buy a small thing to give to your parents. I think the most expensive thing only cost $.25. But we were all  having fun putting up the decorations and getting ready for Christmas day. I think that getting ready for Christmas was fun for all of us. I still do like those big balls that were used to have and the bubble lights. And of course we had a manger scene.

 Christmas Eve my mom took all his kids to candlelight service at that little Methodist Church there was a few blocks from our house. I enjoyed walking through the snow to get to the church  because everything seem so peaceful. And it was always a midnight candlelight service that you went to. Now the street we lived on had a Catholic Church right on the corner so  all the Catholic people were going to church also. After church we all went home and we had to get to bed so  Santa Claus could come and leave the gifts. He would not leave anything if we were still awake.

 The next morning my younger brother and I got  up and went out to the  living room  to see what was under the tree. There were lots and lots of presents that we did go to see whose names were on the packages. And it looks like everybody was getting a lot of stuff. But the rule was no packages could be opened until dad got up. And God for bid if you  woke him of before time. When he did finally get up we all have fun opening up our gifts. We all got plenty  of clothing socks and underwear the usual stuff. One of my brothers got a camera so he was very happy that I did not see my radio. I did get a few records so I was happy for that.

 My dad said there was something in the kitchen with my name on it. So I went into the kitchen and found a package with my name on it which filled me with joy. So I've brought the package back out to the living room so everybody could see it. I opened it up and it was a short wave radio that my father had built for me. I was so happy. I listened to the radio every day for years. I had that radio until I went into the Army in 1972. I wish I knew what happened to it. That was one of the best Christmases I had.