Jack needed to interview someone about Christmas in 2018 and he chose Mimi aka Barbara DeBruyn who at the time was 70 years old.
Here is a summary of his learnings:
Barb's "childhood" Christmases were pretty consistent from as early as she can remember until she was married (~20). Basically the mid-50's until the mid-60's. She would typically get ~5 presents for Christmas. A gift she really wanted as a girl was a little doll that would wet its pants!
Her favorite gift(s) were emerald rings she got over subsequent Christmases. Allegedly, Rick forgot he gave her an emerald ring one year and the next year got her a very similar one.
One of her least favorite gifts was a life-sized doll that her Aunt made for her!
The main stores for Christmas shopping were Sears and JC Penneys.
A typical Christmas would almost always be white (living in Muskegon, MI) and included a trip to their grandparents for dinner. Her family always had large, real Christmas trees. Aside from the tree, their decorations included a nativity scene and mistletoe.
Her favorite Christmas song was Jingle Bells. Traditions included baking cookies with her Mom - and then eating the cookies. She especially liked the fudge. Christ dinner included ham, potatoes, vegetables and cookies and they ate in the dining room.
One of her most memorable Christmases was when she surprised Rick with a new Yamaha waverunner in '97.
Barbara would write letters to Santa and recalls doing a play in school about the birth of Jesus (Catholic school).
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