Saturday, December 05, 2009

Christmas Memories and Pink Saturday

Today's Pink Saturday post is supposed to be about a favorite childhood Christmas memory. You can check out Beverly's blog at How Sweet the Sound to read about a wonderful give-away and to read other's favorite Christmas memories.


I don't know if this is my favorite Christmas memory, but it is probably my earliest Christmas memory. I was six years old and we spent Christmas with my Aunt Mary and her family. When I went to bed on Christmas eve, I was really worried that Santa would not be able to find me, since I was not at home. I still remember walking down the hallway on Christmas morning, worried that there would be no Christmas presents for me under the tree. Imagine my elation when I spied a Barbie doll just for me! I can still remember the thrill and the relief when I saw that Barbie. It was one of the earliest Barbie dolls, since they only came out in 1959 and this was 1961. It was the "Bubble cut" Barbie and of course she was brunette, since I had dark brown hair. I no longer have the doll, but I did search the web for a couple of pictures to share.  I understand that she was patterned after Jackie Kennedy, since President Kennedy had been inaugurated that year.



I purchased this reproduction and have it on my shelf. I did have the Silken Flame outfit, too.



I have also included a picture of Jackie Kennedy in her inaugural dress to show the comparison. She is beautiful, isn't she. Quite different from what we see in fashion today, but she is classy and gorgeous.


I know that this isn't a profound memory, but we didn't have many toys when I was growing up and we would have only one or two presents at Christmas. My parents always sacrificed so that we could have something under the tree. This particular year, my brother was only one and it was a particularly hard year for my family financially, so this doll was really special. She was one of my most prized possessions and I played with her constantly. My grandmother sewed her doll clothes, since we couldn't afford to buy outfits. But I did have the Silken Flame red outfit!  I do remember that her head fell off quite often! LOL! But that didn't make her any less special to me.  It was several years later before I got Midge and Ken.

Another challenge from Miss Beverly is to pick out a blog to highlight each week. It is so difficult to choose just one, but this week I would like to highlight MizMollye, shezaDoozey. Take time to visit this wonderful, funny lady. She will add a little Louisiana charm to your day and you will be blessed, I am sure.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful pink Saturday. It is snowing here in mid-Michigan and I think we just might have a white Christmas this year. Blessings to you all!

11 comments:

Mollye said...

Hi Tricia and Thanks for featuring me on your post. I'm sure that was a special Barbie memory for you and I wish you still had her. Wobbly head and all! That particular year, I had just found out I was expecting my own little barbie doll the following June! I had graduated from high school in '61 and was attending business college and thought I just could not wait to be a mommy. Now she's 47 and I wouldn't trade her for anything but do wish I had waited a few years before "playing house" for real. Happy Pink Saturday. Hugs, Mollye

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I had a bubblecut Barbie just like yours! LOL! And that same dress! I named mine "Carol" after a friend of my sister's who looked just like Barbie. I had the Blonde pony-tail Barbie first, so this one needed her own name. ;-)

Great Christmas memory!

Happy Pink Saturday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Betty said...

Happy Pink Saturday! I remember that Barbie! I had the blond bubble one but it has been long gone for years.

SmilingSally said...

Tricia, this is a terrific Christmas memory; children are always afraid that Santa will somehow miss them, especially those of us who didn't have much.

Char said...

Oh that was wonderful. Isn't it funny the things we worry about as children, so innocent and everything is really so simple. I had that same Barbie and she was my first, the bubble cut. I loved her, Happy PInk Saturday, Char

Fandango Moon said...

That's my kind of Barbie! Thank you for sharing! Happy Pink Saturday!

suesueb said...

I had a Barbie just like that! The funniest thing is that I don't remember getting her but my sister sure does because she didn't get one!! With ten kids we too only received one toy on Christmas-I think maybe it made them more special. All these stories are making me nostalgic! Thanks for sharing and Happy Pink week!

LemonyRenee' said...

Thanks for this story; I really enjoyed it. I, too, would have difficulty choosing a "favorite" Christmas memory because my parents and my grandmother and our school teachers and, well, everyone were steadfast in their love for me and their excitement over Christmas, even when the money waned.

Merry Christmas!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I loved your Christmas memory. I hope you are having a wonderful day and are looking forward to the holiday ahead.

LV said...

I really enjoyed your story today. Very interesting. It is a shame tho you did keep the doll. However, we cannot keep all things. Thanks for you nice comment.

GwendolynKay said...

Thanks for sharing your wonderful memory. I had a Barbie that looked much like this one. But it was a hand me down. How sweet that your grandmother made clothes for her. Blessings and hugs!
Gwen