In Portsmouth the season of good cheer always involved a trip to Allders in the city centre to choose gifts for the family, and collect the latest festive teddy. I can’t be the only one who still has their Jingle Bear!
And needless to say the dodgy decorations have been well and truly banished from my home!
Here are 11 things which every child who grew up at that time must remember when it comes to Christmas time!
9. Christmas shows - with limited parts and a lot less flashy
School Christmas productions were a little less slick than they were when I was at school - and there were fewer parts. You were either Mary, Joseph, a wise man, a shepherd, the Innkeeper or..... an angel (just like these little angels). So it was tinsel everywhere! Photo: Hugo McNiece
10. Sprouts - whether you wanted then or not!
Always on your plate, whether you requested them or not, was the sprout at Christmas! Apparently I loved them when I was little (I demand photographic evidence). Needless to say that they can be cooked any fancy way you like, they will not be on my plate this Christmas! Photo: Olga Kriger - stock.adobe.com
11. Bracing walk along Southsea - and getting up close to the Hovercraft
A trip to Southsea would always involve a stop off at the hovercraft terminal. The safety barriers in the area have improved (as well as the hair cuts) and the hovercraft looked a little different. Needless to say with the sea defence works closing off this area of the beach we wont be doing this any time soon. Picture by Steve Spurgin Photo: Steve Spurgin