On the last day of school, we would rush back home and anticipate the arrival of my aunt and cousins. Aunty May and her daughters, Tracy and Melissa would normally arrive the very next day and spend the entire holidays right up to New Years with us. It was fun having cousins to play with and as you can imagine, we played all kinds of games. Back in the 80s the only source of entertainment for everyone was TV1, TV2 and later TV3. Internets, playstations and cell phones were unheard of then. So we, (me and my siblings, Sharon and Melvin) together with our cousins were contented playing games like 'masak-masak', 'doctor-doctor' and all those other double worded games. Monopoly was something we reserved as the 'after-dinner' game.
Two to three times a week, we looked forward to christmas carolling reahearsels.
The highlight of the December month was always on the 20th or 21st when Uncle Allan (Aunty May's hubby) would arrive and standing by the front gate outside, would say loudly in his melodious voice : "BONG NATAL". That was enough to send our Christmas 'hormones' haywire. As soon as he walked in, we kids would start pestering him about putting up decorations. And that's what we did. We would clean up the entire house right through the early hours of the morning - exhausted but enjoying every minute of it. In spite of all that, early the next morning, normally on the 22nd, the same old 'Chinese Uncle' would come in his lorry and pick Uncle Allan and Melvin up to go and chop down pine trees. What made it special those days was that we went for fresh pine trees instead of the imitation ones that we put up today. And coming down the stairs every morning was heavenly with the scent of pine floating in the air.
Putting up the Christmas tree those days gave us that special kind of feeling that you can't really describe in words. While Mums and Aunty May did the cooking, Pops job was to sit in that particular chair and instruct us on where to place the lights on the tree. "To the right a bit, no no to the left, up a bit, down a bit" all those were words that we got so used to year after year. After the tree had been set-up, it was time to build the snowman and fire place. Yes, we had a snowman made of cotton.
My favourite of all was taking a walk with Uncle Allan and Mel at night. We went out after dinner looking for logs to place in front of the tree. Oh, and how could I forget the Tik-Tok man? He was actually the laksa man who rode on his motorcycle selling laksa late at nights. After a tiring day, we always looked forward to the sound of his 'tik-tok'. His laksa did wonders to us. Even now, we still associate him with Christmas.
23rd of December was always carolling day. It would start at 7.30pm. Getting up in the hired bus, we would sing along all the way with other youngsters while heading to various houses. Our house was always reserved as the last stop and that's where the fun actually starts. Can you imagine? Mum and Aunty May would lay out a spread of delicious food on the table and the carollers would attack them like hungry soldiers.
Christmas eve was always our favourite. This was the day when our curiousity would finally be put to rest because it was 'opening presents day'. Ooh the smell of the christmas pie and turkey coupled with the scent of the pine tree was just heavenly. Christmas feeling was everywhere. Come 9pm, we'll put on new clothes and get ready for midnight mass. This was the longest part of the day. I mean, the next event after midnight mass was our pie and turkey supper followed by opening presents. So, you can imagine how bored we were at church. When the priest's sermon got too long, I would secretly wish that he had a stomach ache and would rush through mass to get to the toilet. (Never dared to tell my parents about that).
Whoa, you can imagine our excitement that followed after supper! Uncle Al was always the one nominated to give out presents. Somehow until today, this chap brings out the Christmas spirit in me and my bro.
The actual Christmas day on the 25th was no big deal for us, but it was a time to look forward to by all Pops' friends. Our open house will go on right through the night. Mums and Aunty May did all the cooking. Catering was out of the question those days. Aunty May's devil curry was always a hit with everyone. Mum's mutton curry was 'out of this world delicious', so it was a heavenly treat for all those who were invited. When the guests left, we would all sit down together and chat about the day. That was so much fun. Even the simplest things in life then was so much fun.
Today, Christmas is still something to look forward to but will never be like what it used to - back in the 80s. Having 2 kids of my own now, they too enjoy Christmas but will never know a real traditional Christmas and the amount of fun their Mummy had. Tracy and Melissa have since, gotten married and celebrate it with their own families.
Cheers to the Tik-Tok Man wherever you are. You will never know the excitement you shared with us when you sold us your laksa.
Bon' Natal !
