Absolutely ! I wasn't saying there was not a huge amount of work on many peoples part although by far the largest input was Mums, just that in todays instant Christmas world much of the magic of Christmas is gone Although it was a huge burden on mum it was one she always enjoyed, it was certainly a time we all participated in and got a great deal out of We all took great pleasure in making decorations together and straightening out the wrapping paper from the previous year :-) They were simpler pleasures that do not seem to have an equal today but agreed the good old days were not always that good My mother passed away when I was just thirteen so have always felt a little cheated by that and only ever knew one grandparent, my dads father, who died when I was three , being the youngest is not always what its cracked up to be Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) > Much as I miss the nostalgia of those days too, as a woman I realise that > every one of those memories that you have involved a lot of work for your > Mum. No wonder she started in July!! > Hooray for Mums at Christmas - and every day! > Wendy