Our festive blog is by Lydia Harris, a student at Nottingham University and volunteer with the Spirit of Wartime Sherwood Project.
Experiencing Christmas in difficult times is something with have all become far more aware of the last two years as pandemic restrictions have changed what it means for us to show our festivity. Many of the efforts we make to preserve our cheer, however, would seem familiar to those during the Second World War living through rationing, scarcity, and spending the holidays away from loved ones.
Food
With rationing in place after 1940, many of the traditional sights at a Christmas dining table were difficult to get (including meat, milk, cheese, eggs, butter, and sugar). While some rations such as sugar and tea were increased in the lead-up to Christmas, many people saved ration coupons in preparation for the Christmas shop, or even stored food for weeks or months in advance.
Attacks on American imports meant turkey would not have been on the menu. For some, this meant the alternative of goose, lamb, pork, or perhaps a home-raised rabbit or chicken. However, as the war continued, ‘mock’ foods using vegetables would become increasingly common – Christmas cakes and pudding could be bulked out with breadcrumbs or grated carrots, and potato casserole may have taken the place of a Christmas goose.
Gifts
For those in wartime, toys and presents could be expensive and difficult to find, so homemade presents would become a necessity. These could include hand-knitted scarves, hats and gloves, homemade jams and chutneys, or practical gifts such as wooden dibbers for planting.
After 1941 the use of paper for anything other than food wrapping and deliveries was banned, and so gift wrapping was substituted for old newspapers, brown paper or even pieces of cloth.
Cards remained an important way of keeping in touch with absent loved ones, including evacuated children and those abroad in the armed forces, so Christmas cards (often printed on small, thin paper) may be reused over several years. The YMCA gift scheme was also established to allow those serving overseas to send presents back to their families.
Decorations
While blackouts meant Christmas lights were not allowed to be put up in the streets, the Ministry of Food encouraged people to make simple, homemade decorations. In addition to the decorations and glass baubles kept from before the war, paper chains made from old newspaper could be used, as well as garden greenery. The Ministry of Food suggested holly or evergreen sprigs could be given a ‘Christmassy sparkle’ dipping them into Epsom salts, making a ‘beautifully frosted’ topper for Christmas puddings.
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