A Vintage Christmas
Catherine Lawson
Christmas wouldn’t be the same without a touch of nostalgia. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that it’s the traditions we carry from Christmases past that make Christmases present so special. There’s something about the careful unwrapping of decorations which have lasted several decades that connects us to people and places we fondly remember in a way that no shiny new bauble could ever do. Recycling the past is the very thing that makes Christmas what it should be – personal, not commercial.
We all have those things we do which invite nostalgia into our homes over the festive season. It might be the bottle of Harveys Bristol Cream we buy but once a year for our ageing relatives who have enjoyed a glass at Christmas since they were old enough to drink. Or it might be the misshapen handmade mince pies we bake with our children on Christmas Eve long after they’ve become adults with kids of their own. Those kinds of familiar rituals inspired by the tastes of years gone by can be the starting point for a wonderful vintage Christmas which everyone will remember.
Thankfully, an authentic vintage Christmas is based on bringing together things which have been handed down over time (including decorations and recipes) rather than curating an expensive Insta-friendly tableau. Whether the end product is a nod to the 60s, 70s or 80s (let’s face it – vintage can mean anything from 20-100 years old) the point is to recapture a sense of Christmases past that’s meaningful to us and the people we love. It’s about stepping back into a world which feels magical.
If, like me, you were a child of the 70s, a vintage Christmas might mean opting for multi-coloured fairy lights instead of on-trend LEDs. It might also mean a tree laden with mismatched decorations lovingly gathered through the years and topped off with tinsel. There would definitely be homemade paper chains draped haphazardly over the mantlepiece and the gifts under the tree, far from being co-ordinated and minimalist in style, would be covered in bold, brightly patterned paper.
The food on a 70s table would be just as you’d remember; a centrepiece turkey prepared in true British style (no exotic twists) and served with sage and onion stuffing, roast potatoes, and all the usual veg and accompaniments we continue to enjoy today.
Desserts would be traditional too; a flaming Christmas pudding with brandy butter and a homemade trifle likely made with tinned fruit cocktail and some Ambrosia Devon Custard. For all the in between nibbles and party food you can bet there would be some stuffed vol au vents on the sideboard beside a cheese and pineapple hedgehog and a bowl of Twiglets, and to finish off proceedings there might be after-dinner mints, a box of Quality Street and cups of percolated coffee – it’s a special occasion after all.
Embracing memories which unite us through the generations is a reminder of what’s important at Christmas. When we opt for a vintage approach, we say yes to the things which are old and treasured and no to the new and disposable. We keep those we’ve loved close in our hearts when we bake up old favourites while Bing Crosby sings on the stereo. We give space to reminisce when we pass round the chocolates, remembering the tossing of favourites across the room when we found the one Mum liked best. These are the things which make Christmas so special and they’re the reason I go vintage every time.
