By BILL YEE
Even though I grew up in a non-Christian family, my family loved Christmas and singing Christmas carols. Of course, it didn’t’ hurt that “yours truly” was born on Christmas Day. It was also part of our assimilation into American society as the children of immigrants.
We always had a real Christmas tree. We looked upon fake trees as a form of Christmas heresy. Like the aluminum tree in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” it just was not Christmas without a real tree.
It was a ritual every year that my older brother and I would go out and buy a real tree. He would usually also treat me to dinner beforehand. It was one of my favorite childhood memories. Afterwards, the box of lights and ornaments would come out and the decorating would begin. We always fought for who would put the star on the tree.
Listening to and singing Christmas carols was also part of our family tradition.
My brother had an old hi-fi record player and one Christmas we bought a Christmas album from the Firestone Tire store across the street from our flat. It was a promotional item. I think it cost $1.99.
We played that record over and over during the Christmas season. I remember the vocalists included Andy Williams, Perry Como and San Francisco native Johnny Mathis. I can still hear Perry Como’s rendition of “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”
My older brother Benny would sing carols to us. His favorite was “White Christmas.” The Bing Crosby version is the best-selling record of all time. Benny taught us the lyrics to the popular carols. My sister Helen and brother Teddy would sing along at the laundry to the songs on the radio. We would even sing to our customers.
As kids we also performed in the Christmas program at Redding Elementary School. Even though the school was just two blocks from our laundry, our parents were too busy with work to attend. My sister-in-law Merry (as in “Merry” Christmas) did attend! My sister Helen always appreciated that!
One year my dad got in the Christmas spirit and ordered a roll of paper with Santa Claus sitting on a roof next to a chimney. We wrapped the finished laundry packages in the holiday paper.
Television also had a big impact on our family Christmas traditions. Our parents enjoyed watching holiday shows, including Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Lawrence Welk family Christmas specials, to name a few. As a family we all looked forward to watching these shows together.
In 1965 “A Charlie Brown Christmas” became an annual event in our household, and it remains a holiday classic in my home even though Apple TV and not CBS has the rights.
One of my fondest Christmas memories was using the tips I got for delivering laundry to our customers and going downtown to buy a gift for my parents. One customer, Mrs. Atherton, would take us to Woolworth’s and treat us to a soda and candy. She always baked cookies for us too.
One year Mrs. Atherton helped us buy two pillowcases for my parents.
We also went to the toy department at the Emporium and, in our heads, put together a wish list of what we wanted for Christmas. Our parents did not really celebrate Christmas or even give us gifts. It was a grand-aunt who would make sure we all had something for Christmas.
She would always give the best gifts that were most sought after by kids.
In San Francisco, many listen to radio station KOIT, which plays nothing but Christmas music during the season.
Christmas is not just about getting presents or singing Christmas carols. It’s a feeling that there can be peace in the world and we can have a “White Christmas.” For me as a Christ believer, the real reason I celebrate is the coming of our Savior!
Merry Christmas!
Bill Yee is a retired Alhambra High School history teacher. He can be reached at paperson52@gmail.com. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Rafu Shimpo.