Host: Tarah Scott
Our next guest is someone I’m newly acquainted with, but I already know she’s a doll. What little bit of her writing I’ve had the pleasure of reading is fabulous—and I’m not the only one who thinks so. Her newest release Ambersley is getting rave reviews. But with an heiress whose identity is hidden, and a duke who must prove himself, what’s not to love? Hang on! I do believe the game is afoot.
Please welcome Amy Atwell.
Christmas Traditions
There is something so magical and delightful about the anticipation of Santa Claus’s worldwide journey on Christmas Eve. As a child, I couldn’t get enough of it. Mom filled the house with the smell of bayberry candles and freshly baked cookies. I would help set out the manger and other decorations. Colored lights adorned the tree, shining on the brightly wrapped packages beneath. Music and secrets floated in the air while snowflakes fluttered to the ground outside.
And perhaps some of you who grew up around the Great Lakes will remember this amazing Christmas tradition from the <cough> 1950s-1970s. Who remembers Mr. Jingeling?
Oh, don’t get me wrong. Santa was and always will be the big guy around Christmas. But one of the major department stores in Cleveland would turn its entire seventh floor into a wonderland of toys hosted by Mr. Jingeling, Keeper of the Keys, Santa’s head elf. This was his theme song:
Mister Jingeling/How you ting-e-ling/Keeper of the Keys—
On Halle’s seventh floor, we’ll be looking for you to turn the keys.
He keeps track of Santa’s sack and treasure house of toys
With wind up things that Santa brings to all good girls and boys.
Mr. Jingeling wore a green suit and wide black belt. I wonder if he inspired the costuming for the Will Ferrell movie, Elf. Halle’s and Higbee’s were the two giant department stores in Cleveland (think Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s in Miracle on 34th Street), so Mr. Jingeling gave Halle’s an edge. I remember traveling with my grandmother by rapid transit into downtown Cleveland. We’d walk to Halle’s and take the elevator to the seventh floor. Mr. Jingeling would greet us with his giant ring of keys jangling in his hand. He would usher us into the long winding line that led to Santa. During our wait, he would entertain us, show us new toys, dolls, stuffed animals and he would lead us in singing our favorite Christmas carols. Waiting to see Santa was totally fun at Halle’s!
It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I discovered people outside the Cleveland area had rarely heard of Mr. Jingeling. I thought he was a worldwide tradition, but no. Still, he’s part of my tradition. One of many I’ve held dear into my adulthood, no matter how far away from Cleveland my life has taken me.
Maybe that’s why I included the importance of Christmas traditions in my historical romance Ambersley, and how reminiscent it makes my heroine on her first Christmas away from her childhood home.
How about you—what are your favorite holiday traditions from childhood?
Bio and Giveaway info
Amy Atwell worked in professional theater for 15 years before turning from the stage to the page to write fiction. She now gives her imagination free rein in both contemporary and historical stories that combine adventure and romance. An Ohio native, Amy has lived all across the country and now resides on a barrier island in Florida with her husband and two Russian Blues. Visit her online at her www.amyatwell.com, Magical Musings, Facebook, Twitter and/or GoodReads.
Offering: a free digital copy of her historical romance Ambersley and her romantic caper Lying Eyes.
Ambersley Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Ambersley-Lords-of-London-ebook/dp/B0056TJOSY/
Lying Eyes Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Lying-Eyes-ebook/dp/B004774YO0/
0 COMMENTS
Joder
13 years agoI've never heard of this, but it sounds wonderful. I wish we had a magical winter wonderland like you described, something like out of the movies. That would make for a great memory. My favorite memories always involve baking and decorating and any other family time.
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
Amy Atwell
13 years agoSo thrilled to be here this evening! I'm wrangling the new kitten (our gift to ourselves) and trying to keep him off the tree. And out of the gifts. And not eating ribbon. Hope everyone else is settling in for a lovely, relaxing Christmas Eve.
Jane
13 years agoMy brother and I would open our presents at midnight. We loved not having to wait until morning. Merry Christmas, Amy.
janie1215 AT excite DOT com
Fedora
13 years agoWhat a fun thing, Amy! Not too many childhood traditions–we *did* decorate to the same two LPs every Christmas, Christmas albums by the Andrews sisters and the Williams brothers, but I think we listen to all kinds of Christmas music as we decorate now!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
QueentuttsWorld
13 years agoMerry Christmas!
Ronda Tutt mrsqueentutt@yahoo.com
Colleen C.
13 years agoOne tradition we always do is make M&M cookies together for the holidays… I had my little nephew help this year! It was fun! 😀
NatashaBlackthorne
13 years agoMerry Christmas. 🙂
Tarah Scott
13 years ago AUTHORGood evening, Amy. So nice to see you.
Denise Z
13 years agoI'm from one of those families that did not have any specific holiday traditions. Perhaps a good meal on Christmas day and presents in the morning – but Mr. Jingeling was not around our neighborhood. I am pleased to meet him today and what a wonderful guy – I think I should apply for the job, would love to watch over the toys LOL Thank you for sharing today and happy, happy holiday!
dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com
Amy Atwell
13 years agoWow–so lovely to see others still online. I'm a huge baker–Mom handed down a dozen family cookie recipes. On Christmas Eve we were always allowed to select *one* gift to open. Candles lit, a fire in the fireplace (something I don't often get here in Florida these days…) I love the traditions of the season.
Teresa Kleeman
13 years agoAmy never heard of Mr. Jingleling,
However I could remember our Mall in Tennesee when we lived there in the late 60's and early 70's would turn the place into a Winter wonderland. They had animated figures and trains and all the great stuff that turned Christmas into a magical thing. I so miss that. It's funny I was a very little girl but I still remember this like it was yesterday.
I wish the Malls still did this. Maybe if they did I would go to them now. I avoid them like the plague now.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!
Teresa K.
tcwgrlup41@yahoodotcom
Elaine
13 years agoWe always open one present on Christmas Eve. No one could ever wait until Christmas morning.
Amy Atwell
13 years agoRaising hand as a child of the 60s and 70s–the era when indoor malls were, um, "cool." And yes, I remember amazing decorations and winter wonderlands and trains, miniature villages, the kinds of things that made me want to LIVE at the mall. LOL Somehow, when I was a preteen, I was oblivious to the commercialism of the season. It was all magic. I cling to the magic.
Joanne B
13 years agoI never heard this. Interesting though. Happy Holidays!!
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Theresa Newbury
13 years agoMy favorite tradition as a kid was circling the town to check out others decorations and Christmas lights. My dad, being an over grown kid himself, would deck out the chevy truck with lights all around, glowing Santa on the cab, 3ft plastic candles on bumper. Then play Christmas cassettes through the pa system as the 5 of us siblings and more than half the neighborhood kids piled into bed and sang at the top of our untalented lungs.
Zee
13 years agoSo great to meet you Amy! I will definitely check out your novels. The covers look excellent, and a little intrigue never hurt anyone… much! 🙂
Elaine Breault
13 years agoThey look like really great books Amy, now I have to, go and check your site for more of them.
laineslite @ gmail dot com
Eva M
13 years agoBaking cookies and decorating the tree. Merry Christmas!
Missy
13 years agoWe used to go to Daytons in Mpls every Christmas, for the big event they had set up on the 7th floor. (I think it was the seventh floor) Anyway, they had the best scenes from a particular show or story set up. Very magical! Since Daytons isn't around anymore we obviously don't do that now. I haven't found anything comparable to bring my children to over the years.
Nikki
13 years agoFavorite traditions? Daddy always got up early to be the first one the day after thanksgiving to get the tree. He was so excited about Christmas!! The books sound awesome!
viajeradelmar@aol.com
June M.
13 years agoI love finding new authors. Although I love fresh baked cookies, I always burn them. I can bake cupcakes, brownies, etc but not cookies.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
Christy
13 years agoOne tradition when I was younger was going to have my pic taken with Santa. Lol that was big stuff! christina_92 at yahoo.com
Michelle
13 years agoI've never heard of this tradition either, but I think its so much fun to learn about others traditions growing up!!
Shadow
13 years agoOne of our traditions is getting the family together and decorating my grandmas tree and while we're doing it, we're making homemade sugar cookies. Yum! Thanks for sharing! Happy holidays!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com