Christmas memories - A brown paper sack filled with Christmas goodies

Christmas memories for those of "a certain age" like myself...

The brown paper sack that was handed out in elementary school, filled with Christmas treats.

Growing up in the 70's and 80's, I remember at Christmastime the small community school I went to (it only went up to the 8th grade) would give out brown paper bags filled with Christmas goodies every Christmas.  In the bag was always the same thing:  an apple, an orange, ribbon candies of all types, a candy cane or two (of course), and walnuts.

The history of this, as I have heard, goes back to the great depression in the thirties.  The gift bag of Christmas goodies made sure that every family with school-age children had some unique treats for Christmas: fruit, nuts, and candy.   It seems the tradition of giving treats goes back to Saint Nicholas who carried a large sack filled with fruit, nuts, and candy which he gave out to the children.  Specifically, walnuts as I understand, were very popular in Victorian England, and were even used to decorate the Christmas Tree with.  Eventually, walnuts were associated with England so closely that they begin to be called "English walnuts".  

As school-age children, we would all go to the gym and be seated down together by homeroom class.  Typically, some generous person or group of older adults in the community would provide the funds for the gift bags.  The chatter and excitement would grow as the boxes filled with little brown sacks full of goodies were brought into the gym.  Then the teachers would begin handing out the Christmas bags to some very excited kids!  Of course the whole experience would usually reach it's peak when Santa Claus himself made his appearance!

I can still remember the smell when opening up that bag of goodies.  The sweet smell of the fruit, the earthiness of the nuts, and the hint of peppermint in the candy canes.  It was a smell like none other.  Even to this day, whenever I get a whiff of a ripe orange, I see ribbon candy or a bunch of walnuts together, I think of those Christmas bags.  What a great memory!  

Merry Christmas!