A resident at Potter House care home in Yeovil has shared her vivid recollections of Christmas mornings filled with family rituals and traditions spanning more than 90 years.
Jean Glover, 92, remembers waking “as early as we could” on Christmas morning as a child before rushing into her parents’ bedroom.
Presents were opened straight away, and the rest of the morning was spent playing with new toys until the family headed to her grandmother’s house for Christmas lunch.
Jean’s father was often away serving in the army at Christmastime. Jean said, “Very often Dad wasn’t home, so we would write letters to him every year on Christmas,”
“When he was home, we always played a card game called New Market. I hardly ever won anything, but it’s still one of my favourite memories,”
Food played a central part in the celebrations. Jean says turkey has always been her favourite Christmas dish, though she admitted, “I hated Brussels sprouts when I was younger.”
Her favourite sweet dish was a traditional Christmas fruitcake. Jean added, “Mum would make it in October and all of us children got to have one stir whilst she was making it.”
Despite money being short when she was young, one childhood gift remains especially meaningful: a cross on a chain that she and her sister received when Jean was about ten. “It was my favourite present, and I still have it — I still wear it now,” Jean said.
Today, Jean most enjoys seeing her family and friends at Potter House on Christmas Day – especially since becoming a grandmother.
You can meet Jean and the other residents at Potter House during one of the homes community events, like Warm and Toasty Wednesdays each week from 11:30, where all are welcome to enjoy homemade soup and crusty bread.
For more information, call 01935 513287, email [email protected], or visit www.crystalcarecollection.co.uk/care-homes/potter-house/
Potter House offers 24-hour residential, dementia and respite care for up to 66 people. With ensuite bedrooms, beautiful social spaces, and landscaped gardens, Potter House has fan all-inclusive fee to give peace of mind to its residents and families.
