How Charming.

[stuey]

A typical English family on Christmas Day. Notice the candles on the tree. This magazine called itself a "DIY" magazine. I always thought that "DIY" was a modern initialization. Anyway, I think it's quite an interesting depiction. (I might have posted this previously...I forget:)) http://i62.tinypic.com/wmebld.jpg

[237SJ]

Nowadays, the kid would be wearing a onesie, the mother would be quaffing Asda plonk, the room would be decked in a million LED lights, there would be a DFS sale ad on the telly and the presents would be ipads.

[stuey]

Are you suggesting, 237SJ, that things have changed somewhat?:)

[BlackadderV]

You did post this a few months back, I remember.

[Sipowicz]

1956, my first Christmas!

[stuey]

Sipowicz, do you still have the tool set?

[Zacs-Master]

Mother seems to have been bought a telescope!

[BlackadderV]

Every Xmas I used to look forward to getting a Junior Smoker's Set consisting of sweet cigarettes, sweet matches, chocolate cigar, liquorice pipe and coconut strands (loose tobacco). They don't make them any more!!

[stuey]

I was wondering what the "little lady of the house" had in her hands. Maybe a long shoe-horn to assist her with the high heels?

[Old_Geezer]

Quite right. It used to be DIT (Doest It Thyself).

[agchristie]

And not a Beano/Dandy annual in sight!

[stuey]

That's quite a record collection that they have next to the booze supply.

[agchristie]

Very DISCerning Stuey!

[BlackadderV]

I remember that My mother and father used to dress up for Xmas day and wore shoes in the house instead of slippers.

[stuey]

Very good, ag:) Any train buffs out there? I think that the locomotive is a 2-4-2.

[agchristie]

Stuey, the poor train appears to have been cast aside, probably as it had no tracks or there was no remote control ;-)

[agchristie]

Wonder what the Queen's Speech was about?

Maybe they had to go next door who had a TV!

[stuey]

Ask, and ye shall receive: http://www.royal.gov.uk/ImagesandBroadcasts/TheQueensChristmasBroadcasts/ChristmasBroadcasts/ChristmasBroadcast1956.aspx

[agchristie]

Well done Stuey! Fascinating, I didn't realise they were all available ;-)

[Sipowicz]

Stuey, I've still got the tape measure.........so you keep your distance!

[stuey]

You are consistent, Sipowicz:)