It’s one of those posts that are purely nostalgic.
Remember Christmas when you were a kid, a magical time of year. But as the song says “once you pass its boarders, you can never return again.” So sad, but true.
When I was a kid I don’t ever remember there being horse catalogs to shop from, Sears and the local 5 & 10, yes. We had our little, very little, local tack shop. It sold mostly Western stuff, very limited, maybe one saddle, and a few bridles. He carried one pair of English riding jodphers not in my size, so it was off to New York City. There were two large stores, Miller’s and Kaufmans. I loved the smell of leather as you walked into Kaufmans. There were brand new bridles hanging in a display cabinet. There was a walkway around the top of the main floor on the second story, and there were saddles displayed on the railings. It was a magical place for me. There were no racks filled with tons of clothing like in today’s market place. You told the man what you wanted and he went in the back to find your size. You tried it on and bought boots, jacket, breeches or jodpher’s just a little larger so you would grow into them. Mostly children grow out of their clothes before they wear them out. Nothing has changed there.
Colors in English attire were very limited. Ratcatchers were simple and mostly white in color. There were some patterns with colors, but never to be worn in a show or hunt field. Colors started being more popular in the 1970’s. Hunter riding clothes were fashioned for Fox Hunting, and the same followed through for show and pleasure riding. Saddle seat was also very formal in attire. You either rode, Hunt Seat, Saddle Seat, or Western back then. No one ever mentioned Dressage, that was European.
Well Walmart started with their Christmas decorations before Halloween this year. Nothing like seeing pumpkins and tinsel all together. Years ago Thanksgiving would ring in the Christmas season with all its glitter and dazzle. You’d walk through the stores and there would be Christmas Carols playing on the sound system. The whole store was decorated. There would be a section devoted to Santa’s Workshop, The North Pole, or Toy Land. It was a special place in the store, that even if you were an adult you would gravitated to, just to be reminded of your childhood. There you could catch a glimpse of the big man himself. You might picture yourself waiting in line to sit on his lap to tell him of your hearts greatest desires for that Christmas. Your parents may also request that your picture be taken with Santa, year after year, to mark your growth, and ultimately to be brought out in front of your (more serious) boyfriends in years to come.
Even in New York City, people were nicer, friendlier. People smiled and said Merry Christmas, even at the cash registers when you were checking out. There was a feeling of community, even in the big cities. People carried large amounts of packages home, or made several trips to the cars. There were no porch pirates back then. There were no packages delivered. It was a simpler time. You could say the word Merry Christmas to everyone whether they were Christian or not. It was the spirit of the season, spreading love and joy. Now people are hesitant to say it for fear of offending someone. It was a message of love and good cheer, what happened? When did it become and insult?
Well our horses don’t mind and they are every good about being trimmed like a Christmas tree. Horse people have always done that. Even in the good old days, before my time. They would put sleigh bells on their horses when pulling their sleighs. Although, I hate to break your bubble on that thought. Sleigh bells were used for a safety reason. Sleighs and horses were very quiet when traveling through the snow, and the bells were used so that you would hear another sleigh coming, especially around corners, so that there were no collisions. But I’m sure other decorations were put on their horses. Maybe a sprig of holly, or a red ribbon. I wasn’t there, couldn’t say.
Oh well, we are in the here and now, so break out the Santa hats, the reindeer antlers, bells, holly and garland, and deck the horse for Christmas. Hang their stockings on their stalls and fill them with Apples, Carrots, and horse treats, we’re getting down to the wire on shopping.
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, if only in our hearts.