CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE CATHEDRAL CITY

Evening Star, Issue 20988, 30 December 1931, Page 11

CHRISTMAS DAY IN THE CATHEDRAL CITY

[By An Ex-Duxedimte.]

Christmas Day. and a stranger in a city! A glorious, hot, sunny day, singing of Christinas carols, peeling of cathedral bells, and a real Christmas atmosphere everywhere. Why be lonely, even if one is away from home and all kith and kin? I had heard of the wonderful hospitality of a certain host and hostess of a leading city private hotel, and what a gay and happy atmosphere prevailed there. Oh, happy thought! Why not go there, too! A hasty phone call to some friends, a table soon booked in, and ere long we were on our way, laughing, chattering, and wondering what was in store for us. On entering the vestibule fairyland met our gaze—festoons of all colours, wonderful bowls of flowers, huge gas-filled balloons, and coloured lamps. Then the gong sounded, and the dining room doors were flung open, and one just gasped at the work of art displayed by the hostess. Suspended from the ceiling were huge crackers, gaslilled balloons, streamers, etc. Each table was a picture; floating gas-filled balloons tied to each chair, of every colour imaginable; wonderful paper hats for one and all, and presents on each plate. Soon all hats were put on, and then the fun began, throwing balloons from table to table, and we were soon one big happy family, laughing and joking, and no one felt strange. A marvellously happy crowd, and a most wonderful Christmas dinner; Everything was in abundance, and beautifully cooked and served. Later a queer cone-shaped thing was placed on each table, and at a given signal was lit at the top and burnt to an ash, and then to the accompaniment of yells and shrieks, they took on queer shapes and forms of snakes, worms, dragons, etc., and wriggled and moved. When one and all were fully satisfied with all the good things provided, wo were bidden follow our host in all our festive array to Victoria square, where wo had balloon races. A great sight watching hundreds of coloured balloons floating skywards and being carried miles on the nor’-west breeze. Back we trooped to the lounge and jsizz rooms, where the fun was kept going. The typical English Christmas was not forgotten in regard to the mistletoe, as a sprig was hung above the entrance to the lounge, and, ‘‘tell it not in Gath,” but I was the first to be caught napping, to the glee of the onlookers. One need never feel lonely on a Christmas Day when such a place exists, and I was only one of many to express grateful thanks to our host and hostess for making a “ home away from home ” for the many wanderers, and giving us all such an exceedingly bright and happy Christmas Day, of which pleasant memories will long remain.