Patricia Hoy submitted the following Christmas blog that conjures up wonderful memories for me of the now defunct Woodward’s department store on Hastings Street in Vancouver. It was like a Christmas Disneyland for adults and kids alike, an annual Christmas shopping event for Vancouverites in the pre mega-mall era. From huge street level windows showcasing animated motion figurines enacting winter holiday scenes, to the store’s fifth floor Toyland: a floor of toys with a pathway to a simulated north pole where animated elves were making toys for kids in Santa’s workshop, with reindeer on standby for delivery. The experience was etched in the local children’s psyche. A much anticipated visit with Santa was the reason for the line at the workshop. In my childhood imagination I believed that my gift would be made by the magic workshop elves that evening after store closing.
Like Patricia, my fond memories of Woodward’s stretch back in time to when I was 8 years old, when my dad and I stopped at the Woodward’s lunch counter for some refreshments and to rest our Christmas shopping weary feet. We split the reuben sandwich on the menu; I couldn’t eat it all myself; with 3 inches of shaved corned beef piled between the rye bread. “The best reuben in town”, my dad declared. Read Patricia’s story about Woodward’s special delivery of a Christmas gift to her home…..
Patricia’s Christmas Story:
In my family it was Santa Claus who brought the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. The kids didn’t see it until Christmas morning. Not only did my parents set out the gifts and fill the stockings on Christmas Eve, but they also put up and decorated the tree. These were the years when dad often worked all day Christmas Eve, perhaps getting off work early, maybe 3 p.m. Mom would be busy dealing with the preparations for Christmas dinner and four excited kids. There were some very late nights for my parents.
So, it was a thrill when I was 9 or 10 and dad told me I was old enough to stay up and help put up the tree. The other kids would have to go to bed to await Santa’s arrival. As I was putting ornaments on the tree, there was a knock at the door. I remember dad questioning who would be at the house at that late hour on Christmas Eve. I looked out the window to see the blue Woodward’s truck and the delivery man at the door. When dad expressed how surprised he was to see him working so late on Christmas Eve, the delivery man replied that he didn’t want anyone to be without their packages for Christmas morning. I never did know which present it was that had been delivered, but I do know how impressed I was with that Woodward’s delivery truck driver!