Christmas 1980 - Grandma Jean's Tree

Polaroid of Grandma Jean's tree from 1980.

Christmas 1980 - Joe's Tree

I had my own artificial tree but in 1980 I had a real tree in my room. Kris Kringle had been giving Sam, Pete and me ornaments in our shoes every year on St. Nicholas' Day since we were babes. On this tree hangs many of those ornaments. Note the Close Encounters of the Third Kind frisbee hanging on the wall.

Christmas 1980 - Pete's Pre-School Christmas Program

I was in 9th grade when I snapped this photo. I remember this concert and how the kids put their teddy bears in the front row. It just doesn't get much cuter than a bunch of pre-schoolers doing a Christmas program. Pete's the tallest one in the back row.

Christmas 1980 - Pete

Christmas 1980 - Joe

Sam bought me this single of The Tide Is High by Blondie. I still love this song.

Christmas 1980 - Sam and Pete

Pete and Sam

Christmas 1980 - Opening Presents

In the top picture you can see the evidence of Christmas stockings having been opened. This was done before mass on Christmas morning. After mass we moved into the living room to open presents from under the Christmas tree. No one was allowed to open a present at the same time as someone else. We all had to take turns. Dad doesn't appear in any of the photos because he's the one behind the camera.

Christmas 1980 - Joe and the Tree

Standing up so straight and tall.