Another interesting trip into the past from Ron Gallivan concerning wartime Christmases and how, as the war progressed, these became more austere. In September 1939, King George VI gave a morale-boosting speech warning the nation of the hard times to come, and to buy War Bonds instead of goods. No one really took notice and spent freely for Christmas, buying luxury goods – and fur coats, which sold out. Then blackout regulations began; petrol rationing restricting movement of goods; theatres and cinemas were closed, but later reopened.

National Registration brought identity cards and rationing. More and more shipping lanes were closed, as supplies could only come from USA and Canada.

People were encouraged to grow their own vegetables and keep livestock, make do and mend, and standard clothes patterns helped conserve materials. New furniture could only be bought if you had been bombed or were setting up home for the first time. Radio chefs gave tips on making meals from available food, people were asked to send fewer parcels as possible, carol services stopped, church bells did not ring and parks closed. Decorations were hand made paper chains and lanterns and party hats were from newspaper, which was also used for present wrapping, together with previous festive years’ paper ironed flat. Toy presents were mainly second hand.

A normal Christmas did not happen until 1954 and did not become an official holiday until 1971. For many present, this brought back memories, so different from today’s affluent way of life.