Mom did most of the work for Christmas. She had a job and after she got off work she would shop, clean, cook and wrap presents.
Dad was in charge of Christmas music, buying and setting up the Christmas tree, including making sure all of the silver "icicles" hung perfectly straight from the branches. My Dad's other contribution was making his famous popcorn balls.
Dad's Popcorn Balls
More than a gallon of popped popcorn
½ cup of brown sugar
1 ½ cups of white sugar
1 ½ cups of water
½ tsp of salt
¾ cup of corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
Combine in pan white sugar, brown sugar, water, salt, corn syrup and vanilla. Mix together and cook to 260 degrees or hard ball stage. Slowly pour over popcorn in open pan. Butter hands and form into balls. Will make 15 - 20 balls.