Some Photos of Childhood Christmas Past
Tomorrow is the big day; I can’t help but be excited. Christmas isn’t the same for me as it used to be. The sheer joy of indulging in a wave of greed, opening an armada of colorfully wrapped boyhood treasures has been replaced by the equalally joyious, albeit somewhat more cultivated, enjoyment of a day spent with family. I’m most looking forward to enjoying my sons enjoy their gifts. I’m not entirely sure why that is as rewarding as it is, but I’m glad that it is.
I’ve recently been digitizing some old photos of my childhood and have come across a fair selection of Christmas themed photos that are worth reflecting on. These should tide you over until the big day.
Photo 1
Ah, the Hess Truck. A Hobson family gifting tradition. For as long as I can remember I’ve been getting these Hess Trucks for Christmas. Here is a photo of me with my Aunt Mary — and she seems to be showing the truck off to me. It’s super special for me now, because now Logan is the one getting the Hess Trucks and he loves them.
Photo 2
Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, Na, BATMAN! Here’s a photo from when I (wearing the Batman sweatshirt) was nine and enjoying all the Batman toys that my brother and I had gotten. It was the year the Tim Burton’s remake of the movie was released, staring Micheal Keaton, so there was no shortage of Batman toys to be found. Also in this photo, my cousin John, my brother Peter to the left, and my cousin Kirstin to the right.
Photo 3
Here I am opening up a sled on Christmas morning. This sled and I would go on to have many fun memories; sliding down the hills at the Mohawk Goft Course, hitting home made ramps and flinging the two of use around, and sticking the sled upright in the snow to be used as a snowball shield. Ah memories. I also remember being very hurt on this thing a bunch of times, but I’d do it all again. Also in this picture, my dad — enjoying a spot of tea.
Photo 4
How happy do I look here? It’s Christmas morning! It isn’t possible for a six year old to not be happy. I’m not even opening anything at this point… apparently I’m just taking it all in.
Photo 5
Fast forward a few years; here you see me waiting ever-so patiently for the go ahead to uncaged the greedy little monster that lived in me and start showing that wrapping paper just who’s boss. Also in the photo, my brother Peter to the left (apparently just back from some covert-ops night force mission), my Uncle Scott and his little guy Eric.
Photo 6
Cranking the way back machine almost to the start of things, here’s an image of me openoing a Christmas present at my Grandma Hobson’s house. I used to LOVE going to Grandma’s house for Christmas; but it only happened when I was really little. Though all my memories of this Christmas are vague at best, I look back on them all fondly.
Photo 7
I can’t quite place what year this was, but I still must have been relatively young as is evident by the massive quantity of Christmas presents under my Chirstmas tree at home. I’m showing my festive spirit by decking myself out all in red.
Photo 8
He I am, dressed to the 9′s enjoying a (no doubt newly opened) remote control car. Sitting behind me on the couch is my Grandma Great Hobson. She’s no longer with us, but she was a class act.
Photo 9
Now this is what ever kid like to see Christmas morning; a plethera of presents scattered through the living room acting as an ocean of materalistic joy surrounding the light-house becon of cheer Christmas tree. Waves of greed ensued.
Photo 10
Here I am — adorable as a button — participating at a Christmas recital at my Grandfather’s church. We had to do these things each year, and while I’d be lying if I said I enjoyed doing them, the cookie and juice socials that followed these things really help pass the time until Christmas morning.
Photo 11
Here’s one of me going waaay back again. I obvisouly have no idea what it is I’m holding up for the camera, but it must have been a big deal at the time.
Photo 12
Here I am unwrapping gifts like a ninja. No sooner have I cast off the discarded feastive paper of the last gift before my sights are set on my next prize.
Photo 13
One more of me when I was very little opening up a Fisher Price Record player. (A Record is like a CD for all of you born after the 90′s. A CD is a circular disc that had music files burt to it for playback, for all of you born after the 2000′s. ) I do remember this toy. I used it alot. I remember once being late for Kindygarden because I had locked myself in the bathroom with this thing and was rocking out.
Photo 14
Here it is… one of my ever shining memories. This is me opening up my Sega Genesis. I was so excited to get this thing. No more 8 bit out dated graphics for me! No Sir! From that point on, I delt exclusively in the 16 bit realm. I spent hours playing Sonic The Hedgehog that Christmas vacation.
I honestly didn’t think my parents were going to get this for me — given their destain for my video game obsession. I still feel like I should be thanking them.
So those are just a small handful of some of the many Christmas photos I’ve been able to digitize and share — they are representative of so many fond memories.
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