What do you remember about Christmas time growing up?
Living in Northeast Ohio had its own unique set of traditions.
My grandma would talk about all the things she would do with my mom…and it always involved going downtown.
They lived in Parma, and would hop a bus and head to Halle’s, Woolworth’s, and Higbees.
Working in the Halle Building now, I try and picture what the department store must’ve been like.
I remember coming to The Halle Building in the mid 1990’s, and they had a great food court, but the department store aspect had been closed since 1982.
I met the incarnation of Mr. Jing-A-Ling, but not the original..
So, when I watch A Christmas Story each year on TNT and TBS, I picture life to be that way for my mom and Grandma.
Such a special time to grow up. When stores were about toys, stuffed animals, and traditions.
All the toy stores from my youth have disappeared. Children’s Palace, Kiddie City, Toys R Us, and FAO Schwartz.
So, what do you remember about Christmas time in Northeast Ohio?
I remember counting down the days after Halloween was over.
I remember my mom taking me to Gold Circle, Hills, and Zayre's and me making a list. I wanted all the Star Wars figurines, all the He-Man figurines, Smurfs, Garfield, you name it. And the Death Star from Hasbro, and the X Wing Fighter,..
And I would wait anxiously for the Sears Holiday catalog to arrive..And JC Penny’s, too.
I didn’t care about the traditions, or the food..I wanted toys!
But now I’m so glad those traditions existed, that we left a shoe out at night, and we left cookies for Santa, because those are the things we do with our kids. I would have no idea what was important if I didn't have the ability to reflect on the things that have become more important..with time.
I’m so glad downtown Cleveland lights up every year. I don’t need to see another holiday light, but I remember my mom taking us downtown in her 1984 Gremlin so that my sister and I could see those lights.
And I remember it vividly..
As well as the strong gas smell from that deathtrap.
So, enjoy all that Northeast Ohio has to offer..because it’s a lot.
And once your kids are done Fortniting and Tik Tokking….
They’ll remember it, too.
Merry Christmas!!