I have never reflected on Christmas while living at the City Club but here goes.
Living downtown in Plymouth, you were surrounded by Christmas decorations. The city would put wreaths on each and every lamp post, they would string lights across the street and hang a major “Merry Christmas” sign over the main intersection in town (we could see it right out our front window).
In the middle of our block on Mill Street, there was a Christmas Tree lot. I don’t remember prices but somewhere around $8 seems right. This was the 1950’s and artificial trees were not stylish. So we would trudge off to the tree lot, pick out the best looking tree and drag it home. By the time it thawed out and took a normal shape, it usually looked like a charlie Brown tree with lots of empty spots and a crooked trunk.
The tavern was always decked out to capture of the spirit of the season. Of course the beverages that were served also captured the spirit. There were patrons that started celebrating Christmas around Thanksgiving. I do remember a few Christmas trees being placed in strategic locations around the bar room. I don’t know if any of the patrons fell into the tree.
Myrna would always have a tree in her “back” apartment along with Christmas decorations and our family had the Charlie Brown tree.
On Christmas eve, the tavern would stay open until 6:00 PM. As a kid, I was always glad when the last patron left and the place fell silent. It meant family celebration and presents. On the afternoon of Dec. 24, the tavern was always packed. Busy shoppers stopping on their way home, people dropping in after work, and jolly sorts that wanted to be “well oiled” before going home (or to Church). The booze flowed, the music got louder and good time was had by all. Some celebrators had to be escorted out the door.
We always opened gifts on Christmas Eve. We would usually start with Grandma Myrnas stash and then retire to our apartment to open family gifts.
I guess I took the Christmas season for granted. It was all around. The City Club Christmas has some good memories.
Love,
Dad