Evergreen trees had to be flown in by air transport, and weren't always too fresh by the time they got to the tree lots, but hey, at least we got to have a 'real' Christmas tree! Some people opted for the 'Hawaiian' Christmas tree, the Norfolk Pine, a locally grown evergreen, but without the lush evergreen scent or big full branches and height of the Douglas Firs.

And yes, we had the traditional turkey dinner, sang Christmas carols and attended Christmas eve services, just like our ancestors from England. We had our figgy pudding (my mom made persimmon instead), and hung our stockings and went to bed.