Loan shark Christmas - Happy time still

Once upon a time Christmas was a season of magic for me. Shopping for goodies for my sons brought me such joy not really with money tight just like for me when I was a kid. We did try to get their dreams delight but we were not always successful.

We knew exactly what would excite them and make their dreams come true by watching their reaction to TV ads and the well thump pages of the Argos catalogue.

Our Christmas was funded by Provident Agent and other loan sharks dropped off the cash/loan. How it would work with Provident

£600 loan

Pay back over 40 wks. - £25 a week

Total payable back £900

I remember the figures as if it was yesterday even if it has been around 20 years ago. The only way we could have a decent Christmas was to enter into such an agreement with no savings, credit and it was for our kids not for the wife and I to party. It is easy for them with plenty under their Christmas to say it was wrong to do. That is how many people still today pay for their Christmas if they are on a low income. I hated it and was glad to see the back of them.

We would hit Toys R Us in town, now moved to Cardiff Bay before the money could get comfortable, we were straight into Toy R Us. Why because it was a one-stop shop for the toys you needed and wanted. Up and down, the shelves pack to the roof with boys toys except for that must have toy that would always sell out, it always happened. We tried to get the toys sorted in one trip and another trip for clothes and other presents.

However, I was not shopping it was Santa so he could have the blame for a toy most wanted not being under the tree. Pity kids soon wised up about the whole Santa story.

Christmas was an enchanting time that brought as much delight to me as it did to my sons. The memories that I hold onto from those days are treasures to me even as they slowly fade away with the passing years.

When my boys cracked the Christmas code it became much more of a burden for me. Something to just get over with and hiding stuff away was a victory. Looking around to see how others seem to be having the times of their lives, makes me long for those days before the magic was lost, once upon a time.