Two Bits: Simple pleasures

“I’m a little white duck

sitting in the water,

a little white duck

doing what he oughter.”

I remember Christmas 1955 quite clearly, because that’s the year I was given two records of my very own: The Little White Duck by Danny Kaye and Frosty the Snowman by Bing Crosby. I was four and proud and sang them very loud.

I still have those records but I don’t have to play them, as I remember every word. To be truthful, I don’t really remember anything else about that particular Christmas.

All I remember is the two records and they made a memory that lasted a long time. Okay, a very long time. No, there is something else I remember, but it could have been about every Christmas.

Every year the family made a production of finding a tree, not too big, not too small, in the forest near our home. Then a whole Saturday morning would be spent decorating it with glass tree ornaments and strings of tinsel.

Dollops of Lux soap flakes beaten to a stiff paste and spread on branches as make-believe snow was the finishing touch.

The ornaments were, in my mind, as close to the crown jewels as anything could get.

Individually wrapped in tissue paper, a box of them was brought down from one of those mysterious places that mothers hide things. Woe betide if we broke one! Which we did, about one a year, which brought out a despairing “Ohh” from my mother, which hurt more than a hiding.

Rose managed to keep a few and there is now one left, which is hanging on our ultra-chic wire Christmas tree. Here is a picture of it, with a little label “Pre-1950”.

My mother labelled everything. If it stood still long enough, it got a label. Somewhat contrarily, sometimes if you did not sit still you got a whalloping.

Growing up could be very confusing at times.

Thing is, those memories of finding a tree, decorating it, opening presents, going to church wearing your crispy new shirt from Aunt Laura, might be all jumbled up together but they are precious to a child.

Every year this community opens its heart by donating, buying and distributing truckloads of gifts, from toys to tins of food, to the under-privileged of the Dolphin Coast. Schools, churches, NGOs, businesses, government, social clubs and individuals all are generous in giving something to bring pleasure to those who could use a little.

An interesting snippet emerged from the national reader survey our newspaper group conducts every few years.

The residents of this area ranked the highest in the country for supporting charitable causes – significantly higher than the national average.

Seeing the piles of goodies being distributed by our Orphan Fund workers this week, all donated by the public, made me feel good about my fellow residents.

* * *

This year I decided to give – no let me correct that, my wife decided I should give her – a new watch strap as her very expensive leather one had completely worn through.

I thought of getting a stainless steel one from the little man down the road that would not cost very much and would last several lifetimes, but no, it had to be the right one, ordered from the watch manufacturer. As it turns out, they can only deliver it in January.

So, do you think on Christmas morning I can say ‘Sorry darling, your present will be here in three weeks.’ No, I didn’t think so either.

I feel obliged to get a second present and I haven’t a clue what to get. Well, I think to myself, there’s always the failsafe. Smellies! I marched into a department store where they sell all kinds of perfumes and immediately felt intimidated.

There are literally hundreds of different perfumes and I don’t think another bottle of No 5 will cut it. Unimaginative. ‘Can I help you?’ asked a young sales assistant. Sorry pal, but you’re a boy and you can’t be a day older than 16. What can you possibly know about perfume or my problems, for that matter?

Just then I saw a man at the counter ahead, about my age i.e. an old bullet, peering at the perfumes and barking questions at the frightened looking salesgirl. He – the old fellow – was clearly out of his depth and thought being decisive would solve his problem.

That’s me, I thought. I’m absolutely clueless, there are a hundred choices, they all cost an arm and a leg and what’s the chances of being wrong? Exactly. That’s what I thought.

I aboutturned and headed back out. I was still empty-handed but at least I’d saved a lot of money. I’m still not sure what to give her.

A long time ago I came home with a pair of hedge clippers that didn’t go down too well. I really don’t know why, they were very good quality – last a lifetime. Anyhow, I’m going to wander around the shops and hope for inspiration. Wish me luck!

* * *

On behalf of the staff of The North Coast Courier, Get It (Ballito-Umhlanga) magazine and the Wordsmiths Marketing teams, may I wish you, our readers and advertisers, a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year