I thought it was really dumb (still do) that my stocking was full of ribbon candy (which only my dad liked) and oranges when we had 12 trees in our yard!
My mom used to say this same thing about nuts and oranges – she was born in 1927. I think this comic grandma is more likely MY age…a child of the late 50s to 60s. No one I knew ever got oranges and nuts in their stocking. That’s Depression Era stuff. That said, one time I was coming home for Christmas (from college), sharing a ride with other students. Somebody open their snack bag which contained oranges and someone else in the car said, “It smells like CHRISTMAS in here!”. So….maybe I’m wrong with the Depression-Era thing.
Grandma needs to do some splainin! Fruit wasn’t easily transported when she was young, and presents were not piled high to the sky. Sure, there were those families who seemed to have everything, but, a lot more were very happy for whatever they got, including boring fruit & nuts! I’m 68 & can still taste the memory of the huge oranges we got only at Christmas, because they were too expensive for everyday eat-your-daily-fruit-for-vitamins-and-minerals.
When we lived in Illinois (1950s) my father’s company always gave employees boxes of citrus. Kumquats took me a while to figure out how to eat, the skin is edible, the seeds not so much.
We got oranges, a quarter, a candy cane, sadly I forget what else we got. A quarter back in the 60’s got you a lot of penny candy. Sometimes 2 or 3 pieces for a penny.
yes, it was very different back then little one. as I downsized this year(and will continue into next) I have really become aware of all the “things” I have. not bad things, just not “needed” things, mostly wanted things that were used for a bit or season and then stored away over the years thinking they would be used in the future and were not. they are things of value but not necessity. AND the somewhat sad part is they are of value only if you “want” them for whatever reason because they are really not needed just somewhat nice to have. back when I was young “wanted things” came, if at all, only at Christmas or birthdays. Not every day because of a whim like it seems for my grandchildren. I guess if you understand my little ramble here, you get it. IF not, that’s okay, it’s just an old fogey’s rambling observation about Christmas and gifts.
Sadly, I am old enough to remember the disappointment over the fruit and nuts in my stocking as well as a few pieces of hard candy that seldom got eaten.
When I was a kid, my church congregation had a great annual Christmas party. They would have a dinner, sing songs, then Santa Claus would show up and the kids spoke to him and got a bag of treats. The bag included an orange, peanuts, and lots of candy. We would be eating that stuff for days. One year I recognize d my grandfather as Santa, and may have started my period of not believing in Santa the person as opposed to the concept. That ended rather abruptly when I was in grade school, likely as a result of policy changes of economics. Christmas does make one look back on one’s childhood, doesn’t it?
Yakety Sax 10 months ago
Christmas past. (sigh)
Ubintold 10 months ago
And no fruitcakes.
Lucy Rudy 10 months ago
I thought it was really dumb (still do) that my stocking was full of ribbon candy (which only my dad liked) and oranges when we had 12 trees in our yard!
dlkrueger33 10 months ago
My mom used to say this same thing about nuts and oranges – she was born in 1927. I think this comic grandma is more likely MY age…a child of the late 50s to 60s. No one I knew ever got oranges and nuts in their stocking. That’s Depression Era stuff. That said, one time I was coming home for Christmas (from college), sharing a ride with other students. Somebody open their snack bag which contained oranges and someone else in the car said, “It smells like CHRISTMAS in here!”. So….maybe I’m wrong with the Depression-Era thing.
Gandalf 10 months ago
It is.
HarryLime Premium Member 10 months ago
Born just when WW II ended: the Christmas stocking for us kids included a hard-to-find orange … no nuts.
LadyPeterW 10 months ago
Grandma needs to do some splainin! Fruit wasn’t easily transported when she was young, and presents were not piled high to the sky. Sure, there were those families who seemed to have everything, but, a lot more were very happy for whatever they got, including boring fruit & nuts! I’m 68 & can still taste the memory of the huge oranges we got only at Christmas, because they were too expensive for everyday eat-your-daily-fruit-for-vitamins-and-minerals.
Carl Premium Member 10 months ago
Expensive gifts? Have you priced nuts and the like lately?
david_42 10 months ago
When we lived in Illinois (1950s) my father’s company always gave employees boxes of citrus. Kumquats took me a while to figure out how to eat, the skin is edible, the seeds not so much.
jhpeanut 10 months ago
We got oranges, a quarter, a candy cane, sadly I forget what else we got. A quarter back in the 60’s got you a lot of penny candy. Sometimes 2 or 3 pieces for a penny.
Saddenedby Premium Member 10 months ago
yes, it was very different back then little one. as I downsized this year(and will continue into next) I have really become aware of all the “things” I have. not bad things, just not “needed” things, mostly wanted things that were used for a bit or season and then stored away over the years thinking they would be used in the future and were not. they are things of value but not necessity. AND the somewhat sad part is they are of value only if you “want” them for whatever reason because they are really not needed just somewhat nice to have. back when I was young “wanted things” came, if at all, only at Christmas or birthdays. Not every day because of a whim like it seems for my grandchildren. I guess if you understand my little ramble here, you get it. IF not, that’s okay, it’s just an old fogey’s rambling observation about Christmas and gifts.
ragsarooni Premium Member 10 months ago
It WAS a good thing,missy‼️
Bill D. Kat Premium Member 10 months ago
Sadly, I am old enough to remember the disappointment over the fruit and nuts in my stocking as well as a few pieces of hard candy that seldom got eaten.
cuzinron47 10 months ago
All you need to worry about is figuring out what you’re gonna do with a lump of coal.
Otis Rufus Driftwood 10 months ago
When I was a kid, my church congregation had a great annual Christmas party. They would have a dinner, sing songs, then Santa Claus would show up and the kids spoke to him and got a bag of treats. The bag included an orange, peanuts, and lots of candy. We would be eating that stuff for days. One year I recognize d my grandfather as Santa, and may have started my period of not believing in Santa the person as opposed to the concept. That ended rather abruptly when I was in grade school, likely as a result of policy changes of economics. Christmas does make one look back on one’s childhood, doesn’t it?