Residents at Woodland View Lodge care home in Exeter are reflecting on Christmas traditions from decades past. Spencer Unsworth, 81, shared memories of childhood celebrations filled with family visits, homemade treats, and the excitement of early-morning presents.
Spencer, who grew up with three brothers, remembers the rush to wake his parents at 4am on Christmas morning. He said,
“We would hurry to get dressed and run downstairs so we could open our presents, we were so excited. We opened our presents one at a time, when we had finished opening our presents we would go back to bed until around eight o’clock and wait for breakfast.”
Family meals were central to the celebrations, Spencer added, “Our Christmas dinner was goose, with vegetables, roast potatoes and gravy.
“One of my favourite traditions was that my granny used to come round and bring a Christmas pudding that she had made. She would put an old coin inside the pudding, and whoever got that slice would be given some money to spend.”
Spencer also remembers listening to the Queen’s speech on the radio, as the family did not have a television at the time. Church was an important part of the season, with Christmas Eve services once attended by just 27 people, in contrast to the more than 300 congregants today.
Now, Spencer enjoys Christmas in a different way, spending time with family and friends at Woodland View Lodge, playing games and buying gifts for his grandchildren. One tradition he continues is placing walnuts and Brazil nuts under the Christmas tree. Spencer added,
“My message to everyone this Christmas is, always be patient and move on with life, watch your family growing up, and enjoy your life because time flies by very quickly.”
You can meet Spencer and the other residents at Woodland View Lodge during the home’s Warm and Toasty Tuesday event every week from 11:30, where all are welcome to join the residents for homemade soup, crusty bread, and good company.
To find out more, call 01392 717221, email [email protected], or visit the Woodland View Lodge website.
