Here's a toast to the simple days
Of time honored traditions of past ways.
Especially those Christmases of long ago,
As my memories have painted them so.

Trees were draped with angel hair
And silver tinsel hung with care
Popcorn strings strung with cranberry
Helped to make our Christmas merry.

Stocking hung by the chimney flue
Stuffed with oranges and nuts cashew
Candy canes and stripped hard candy
Made our Christmas time just dandy.

A time of scrumptious meals and treats
Plenty of food and plates of sweets.
Popcorn balls and ribbon candy
Made our Christmas time just dandy.

There weren't all those plastic toys
That now delight all young boys
Just a wagon, a train, or a bike
Or something special that we'd like.

No barbie dolls for the girls
With straight hair wigs or flowing curls
No wardrobes of different dress
Just a plain Jane, more or less.

We each received just one toy
One that brought us days of joy.
Then there were socks and underwear
Mittens, mufflers and games to share.

We had no after-Christmas plastic debt
That worried our folks and made Papa fret
Most families stayed out of the red
By paying for presents with cash instead.

What we couldn't afford, we did without
Something quite strange these days no doubt.
It was the children that made Christmas significant
And celebrating Jesus's birth made it magnificent.

Yet yesterday's Christmases are in the past
And only our memories can make them last
So make every Christmas a memorable day
Then you'll have memories to share that way.