$2.00 a Week for 50 Weeks

Do you remember Christmas Club Coupon Books?

In this savings program, you’d go to your bank each week with a book of coupons, depositing a small amount of money to help you save for the Christmas Holiday.

My mother was a big believer in Christmas Clubs. When I was a young girl, I’d often go with her to the bank, watching the teller take her $2.00, rip out the weekly coupon and stamp the stub that remained in her book. I was long past an age of believing in Santa, so I understood that this ritual insured that I would find presents under the tree come Christmas morning.

But there’s more to this story. My mom was the single mother of 3 children under the age of 10. Mom worked full time in an embroidery factory, spending long hours on her feet for very little money. Then she’d come home to begin her second full-time job, caring for my brothers & me. Cooking, cleaning, laundry that she lugged to our apartment building roof to hang on clothes lines. As I look back, I can only imagine how exhausted she felt.

Not only that, I’m sure she was worried about money. This was before the days of court-ordered alimony & child support, at least in her case. My father contributed much less than was needed. Our clothes were from bargain stores, and a Friday night pizza was an extravagance. But did I feel deprived? No, and here’s one reason why…

$2 a week for 50 weeks

My mom sacrificed, scrimping & saving $2 at a time to guarantee that her children would always have a Merry Christmas.

My mother was not a hugs & kisses type of mom. She rarely said “I love you.” That’s why the memory of the Christmas Club means so much today. As an adult, I can look back on that Coupon Book and see it for what it was… the truest expression of my mother’s love.

Wishing you the love of the holiday season,

~ Rosemary

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