The 1960’s
By the 1960’s technology had advanced, and three quarters of British homes had tv sets. While a cinematic experience with Dolby surround sound was still set to be a twinkle in someone’s eye, black and white sets were common. Families began to tune into The Queens speech, often a poignant reflection on the year gone by, succeeded by an uplifting message of hope and prosperity for the following year, or at least a dream of a brighter future. The idea for the annual speech was the brainchild of John Reith in 2022 and was written and produced originally by The BBC (and later ITN and Sky News). When Queen Elizabeth II later reigned, much of it was written by herself, alongside her family and staff. A dedicated Queen, she only ever missed three years due to being heavily pregnant.
Times were still relatively frugal and Blue Peter shows educated the nation on how to make paper decorations, a creative way to keep youngsters occupied. The internet was still 50 odd years from being invented and people had to make their own entertainment. Households had started using aluminium trees and fairies – usually hand-crafted by younger members of the family, which were placed atop the tree – another pagan tradition that celebrates connecting with nature and all its elements.
Rudolph the red nose reindeer, Frosty The Snowman and The Grinch had become popular, with magical scenes of glistening snowmen, talking animals and the spirit of Christmas snatching the hearts of those both old and young. Yet still, there were only two TV channels, midnight mass was broadcast at – you guessed it – midnight! Then due to broadcasting regulations, The BBC switched off at 1am until the following morning. There was no Netflix binging into the wee hours, most would be wrapped up in bed by this time, sleeping off their festive feasts!
Rationing was now a thing of the past and by the mid 60’s there was an economic boom which contributed to Christmas becoming a more extravagant affair. While people earned a lot less, they were generally able to afford more. Turkey with all the trimmings was no longer a case of a couple of potatoes and two types of veg but various cuts of meat, pigs in blankets, bread sauce, glazed carrots and treats for tea, which included pork pies, mince pies, trifle and even chocolate logs! Tableware was taken a little more seriously with a special cloth hung carefully over the table and decorated with candles and small ornaments.
Christmas music was transforming. While carols were still popular in the early 60s’ Brenda Lee was popping into the charts with Rocking round the Christmas tree, It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year by Andy Williams and a Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives, which all added to the nostalgia of the period and began transforming Christmas.
Children’s toys were now more likely to include a Sindy doll, Etch-A-Sketch, and popular board games like Dungeons and Dragons, Mastermind, Uno and Hungry Hippos.
Alas, we cannot stay here too much longer as our magical tour must end by midnight or you will be lost in this decade for ever! Could you manage it? Personally, I think I could with some of the best British music being made in that decade.
