This article could have been titled 62 Years of Christmas Memories, since my first memory of Christmas would be of 1952 Christmas, when we lived close to Louisiana College in PIneville,, Louisiana. My first memory is of the Christmas stockings that were not hung by the chimney with care, since we had no chimney, but they still were hung with care. I will never forget my mom staying up all night, to wrap presents and hang the stockings.
One of my favorite memories was going to S.H. Kress store in Alexandria and trying to make my money stretch enough to buy presents for everyone in the family, which consisted of mom, dad, two brothers and one sister at the time. It was fun wrapping the presents, even though my wrapping skills were rudimentary at best.
Another memory is the Christmas tree lighted up with lights. We bought our trees from the Lion’s Club, where they were sold in front of Huey P. Long Hospital on Main Street.
It was exciting to ride on the Boy’s Scouts float in the Christmas parade, when I was with the Pineville Boys Scouts.
I will never forget the miniature church that would be displayed every Christmas in downtown Alexandria. It was misplaced for a few years, but the last I knew it is back on display again .
City Hall lighted up for Christmas in the 1950’s.
This photo was taken from the 2013 Christmas parade in Pineville. I can remember some brutally cold nights, on the night of the Christmas parade over the years. I haven’t been to a Pineville Christmas parade for at least seven years now, but time can’t erase the memories of the ones I have seen.
The Alexandria water tower lighted up for Christmas has been another Christmas tradition for many years. It was easy to find since it could be seen from a distance.
Policemen Injured in Christmas Parade Accident
One Alexandria Christmas parade in 70’s had an accident, which I personally witnessed. A reserve sheriff’s deputy was talking to my mom, then said he had to get back to work. A couple of minutes later that same deputy directed a car on a side street onto the street where the parade was almost starting . However, a Alexandria policemen, on a motorcycle on the parade route was hit by the car. The policeman flew up in the air and landed on the car. He was seriously hurt and if I remember right the accident happened before the start of the parade. I will never forget the policeman going airborne, before landing on the car.
Annual Christmas Party at Louisiana College
It was a highlight for me every Christmas when the faculty of Louisiana College and their families would have their annual Christmas party.
Christmas Eve Services At Pineville Park Baptist Church
I miss the Christmas Eve services at Pineville Park Baptist Church on Christmas Eve. The lighted candles, the music and the words spoken by the pastor made it a special night, that I always looked forward to each year.
Christmas Lights in Pineville
It wasn’t Christmas in Pineville, until the Christmas lights were put up during the Christmas season.
Family Altar On Christmas Morning
We always had our family altar, before we opened Christmas presents. My mom would read the devotional that day, from the Home Life magazine.
Christmas Bonuses
We would receive our Christmas bonus at the Alexandria Town Talk, for many years till Gannett bought the Town Talk and put a screeching halt to that nonsense. I was working for the Monroe Morning World in Monroe, Louisiana from 1974-1976 and will never forget the $10 Christmas bonus. It really wasn’t a $10 bonus, though since they took tax out of the $10, so the check was for $9 and a few cents left over.
Christmas With 8 Degree Weather
I will never forget one Christmas, when it was 8 degrees. The car wouldn’t start, when I tried to start it later that day, so I could go to work. I ended up walking the two miles, to the Town Talk and freezing in the cold wind.
Christmas In Hawaii
I spent three Christmases in Hawaii, while stationed at Schofield Barracks, in 1963, 1964 and 1965, before being sent to Vietnam. I went to a USO show, that had performers singing I’ll Be Home For Christmas. It wasn’t a great song selection, since I didn’t want to be reminded, that I wouldn’t be going home that Christmas.
One of my favorite Christmas albums
Christmas Music
One of my favorite parts of Christmas is the great Christmas music. O Holy Night is one of my favorite Christmas songs, with O Little Town of Bethlehem a close second.
My favorite secular Christmas songs are songs like The Christmas Song, White Christmas, Blue Christmas, Please Come Home For Christmas and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.
Bob Hope and Connie Stevens appearing in Bob Hope Christmas Show in 1970.
Andy Williams on Christmas Show
Christmas Specials On Television
The Bob Hope Christmas specials were another favorite part of Christmas. I was impressed that he missed many Christmases at home, to entertain American troops around the world. I also enjoyed the Andy Williams Christmas specials each year.
Old Time Radio Christmas Programs
I collect old-time radio shows and some of my favorite shows are the Christmas episodes, of shows like Fibber McGee and Molly, Jack Benny and the Great Gildersleeve. One of my all time favorites is A Daddy for Christmas, which was heard on Family Theater.
This is the funniest show I have ever heard on old-time radio. It is the first Fred Allen radio show ever broadcast from 1932 and is now 82 years old. Best part is when a speaker gives a pep talk to the employees of the Mammoth Department Store. Fast forward through the music at the first to get to show. It can be heard on You Tube. You can be glad you weren’t around in 1932, because the music is terrible, but just fast forward through it, especially the lady that is making a futile attempt at singing. It is sad they didn’t have the technology in 1932, to rid the show of all the horrific singing.
Funniest Christmas Show Ever
The Jack Benny Christmas program is hilarious, and the dialogue between Jack Benny and Mel Blanc shown in photo is priceless. The show is funny from start to finish.
Best Christmas Movie
It’s A Wonderful Life is the best of all the Christmas movies, but that is only my opinion and my opinion with three dollars will buy a gallon of gas, so it is not really worth that much. Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed are the most recognizable stars in the movie, but Frank Faylen, who portrayed the father of Dobie Gillis, in the show of the same name was a cab driver in the movie.
Nostalgia and Now 
Thanks for the Christmas memories…I well remember my family driving over to Alexandria at night to see the courthouse decorated and the miniature church. Also we would go by Wellan’s to see their animated Christmas display. The water tower was something special to see each year. Keep up the posts.
Kathleen Martin
Thank you for mentioning the animated display at Wellans. I should have mentioned that in the post. Christmas was special back then. The worst thing about today is that there are no nativity scenes in stores or malls. A nativity display today draws lawsuits from those opposed to them. Wish we could go back to the good old days.
Yes, those were definitely the good old days….but we can relive them in our memories. Andrew, I’m wondering how your Father is doing?
My father was 100 on November 26 and is doing fine. He is moving slow, but that is to be expected. He likes to work crossword puzzles and cryptograms, to keep his mind sharp.
That’s wonderful to hear….when you talk to him, tell him, “hello”, from a former Chemistry student at LC.
He may or may not remember you by name. His mind functions well, except he doesn’t remember people’s names that well.
Well, he had a lot of students and I wouldn’t expect him to remember my name, especially at 100. I will be praying for your health issue which you mentioned in your article….hope you are doing much better.
My dad has terminal prostate cancer, but doctor said old age would kill him, before the cancer would.
My dad, T.C. Brister, also had prostate cancer but his doctor told him that he would die of a heart attack first and he did in 1976 on the day after Thanksgiving. We have pictures of him with all the family on the day before. He enjoyed his last day on this earth by going to the fishing camp with family and then watching football at home that evening.
Your dad was very kind to me and I will never forget it. I bought a baseball glove at his store and I had $6 and the glove was $6.50 and he still let me have it. It was my first baseball glove and I will always remember his act of kindness. Thank you for sharing about his last day.
Wishing you and your family a Blessed New Year.
Happy New Year Kathleen and to all your family.