Pioneer Christmas Story

by Paul White

It's Christmas time. Thousands of people are flocking to see the Festival of Northern Lights. Countless more are streaming through the malls and the downtown, shopping for that elusive “perfect” Christmas present. Children are dreaming of dolls, video games and the latest fashions that they hope to find under the tree on Christmas morning.

That is what occurs during the Christmas season today. But what was it like for the pioneers who lived in the Owen Sound region a century ago?

The first event on the pioneer's Christmas calendar was the school Christmas pageant. This was a significant occasion as it marked a time when the cares of surviving a harsh winter disappeared and the entire family bundled up in warm clothing and went to the school for an evening of entertainment and socializing. Children performed skits and sang Christmas carols to the delight of proud parents and other family members. Mothers brought treats and baked goods for all to enjoy at the end of the evening.

Christmas morning was a big event in the lives of pioneer families. Before the festivities could be started the family had to first carry out its daily chores. Everyone arose early, not in expectation of finding out what Santa had left under the tree, but to carry out the jobs necessary to living in the last wilderness outpost in Southern Ontario. Father and sons would head to the barn to feed the livestock. Wood had to be brought in to heat the house. Mother and daughters busied themselves in the kitchen preparing breakfast. After all the chores were completed, the family sat down to breakfast.

The children could barely contain their excitement about the presents that lay beneath the tree. After bolting down their meal, they would urge their parents to allow them to get on with the business of opening presents.

In pioneer society, cash was a rare commodity. Settlers often traded goods and services to make ends meet. Although a few gifts might have been purchased at the general store, many of them were hand made.

The girls of the family might find a doll, crafted from cloth, and some doll's clothes under the tree. As well, there might be a new dress, made by grandma or mother. The boys might find a pocket knife, or hand carved soldiers, or some other toy under the tree. There would also be warm mittens and socks, knitted by mother, to keep the children warm in the cold Grey County winters.

The highlight of present-opening for some would be a parcel from relatives back in the home country. A hush would fall over the room as a letter with all the news was read aloud. The parcel might contain candies and treats for the children, and books and newspapers.

After the presents were opened, the family would get ready to go to a neighbour's or nearby relative's home for Christmas dinner. Or, they would ready their own home to welcome visitors.

Early settlers did not depend upon a supermarket for the fare that would grace the table on Christmas day. Instead, the meal would be from their garden or that of a neighbour's. The usual Christmas dinner would consist of ham or chicken, potatoes and vegetables. Dessert would be Christmas pudding, cakes, pies and other pastries.

Whether the family went to someone's home for dinner or they had guests at their own home, the Christmas festivities would have to end early; there were animals to be fed, wood to be chopped and other chores that needed to be performed on a daily basis.

Life in the early days in the Owen Sound area was hard. Settlers had to work every day to ensure their family's survival. The Christmas season provided a time for celebration with friends and family and a brief respite from the realities of every day life.