Not that anyone is interested, but for my own sake I thought I'd put here some of the amazing gifts I received from my parents over the years.
My Dad worked very hard to provide for his family. Working long hours in a thankless job in the fruit industry.
But us five kids really never did without. My parents were of that generation who were very poor growing up, so they wanted to give things to their kids that they never had.
Something both my wife and I also tried to do with our kids. We love our kids and just wanted them to know we thought they were special.
I never realized the sacrifice my Mom & Dad must have made to ensure that we kids had a great Christmas...until I had my own kids.
I've racked my brain trying to remember at least some of the amazing gifts I got...just another good memory...making me even more thankful that I had the parents I did.
There were two sources that a kid could go to in choosing what they wanted for Christmas. Both Simpson Sears (Later just Sears) and Eaton's. Both companies published their long anticipated Christmas catalogues in the fall.
These two catalogues were the source of many battles...as oldest siblings got first dibs on them...
My first camera, given to me at Christmas 1968/69 when I was 9 years old...this Big Swinger Polaroid instant camera just shot in Black and White...and knowing my parents, was probably purchased from the Simpson Sears catalogue....it used small flashbulbs....
It started me on my love of photography.
A great TV Show...and then the Toy came out...battery powered...my brother Tom and I had one each...
My Dad worked very hard to provide for his family. Working long hours in a thankless job in the fruit industry.
But us five kids really never did without. My parents were of that generation who were very poor growing up, so they wanted to give things to their kids that they never had.
Something both my wife and I also tried to do with our kids. We love our kids and just wanted them to know we thought they were special.
I never realized the sacrifice my Mom & Dad must have made to ensure that we kids had a great Christmas...until I had my own kids.
I've racked my brain trying to remember at least some of the amazing gifts I got...just another good memory...making me even more thankful that I had the parents I did.
There were two sources that a kid could go to in choosing what they wanted for Christmas. Both Simpson Sears (Later just Sears) and Eaton's. Both companies published their long anticipated Christmas catalogues in the fall.
These two catalogues were the source of many battles...as oldest siblings got first dibs on them...
It started me on my love of photography.
A great TV Show...and then the Toy came out...battery powered...my brother Tom and I had one each...
Major Matt Mason! At the height of the Moon Landings, came this great toy! I loved this!
Saw this at an antique store recently. Almost...almost bought one. I remember my parents buying me this, then I charged everyone a dime for my first slide "show".
Every kid should get one of these at least once in their life. It really did keep us busy, and you can still buy these today.
