What Christmas means to you - Isabella Whyte (97)

With 2020 being one of the most unusual, frustrating and restricted years. We thought we’d take the opportunity to speak to some of our residents and find out a little more about what Christmas means to them.

Isabella Whyte is 97 years young and lives at Jesmond Care Home in Aberdeen. Like many of our residents, Isabella is a fantastic character and person within the home and speaks so fondly of Christmas past and sharing the time with her family. We asked Isabella the following:

1. What does Christmas mean to you?

It’s a very special time for me and my family. We celebrate the birth of Christ.

2. What’s the best part of Christmas day for you?

I always loved seeing the children open their parcels. It’s such a magical time of the year and the excitement and joy on the childrens faces was priceless.

3. What does Christmas mean to you?

Spending more time with my family! It’s that one time of the year when everyone stops and comes together. I will miss that this year.

4. What’s your favourite Christmas song?

Onward Christian soldiers, it’s a 19th-century English hymn. It always meant a lot to me.

5. What was the best Christmas gift you ever received? 

I remember getting a bike when I was a fair bit younger. I loved it, it was a surprise and it was a big deal at that time.

6. What was the best Christmas gift you ever gave?

I always tried to give my children what they asked for. We used to save up all year so we could make it possible.

7. What traditions did you and your family have at Christmas? (the one thing you did every year)

I can’t think of anything specifically, however we did always ake sure we were together on Christmas and spend it as a family, it was important to us.

8. What is your favourite Christmas movie?

The 1954 Christmas classic, White Christmas. The original one with Bing Crosby, and Vera-Ellen