Texas grandparents would send him all of these cheap fun toys for Christmas and the Danish/Polish/German grandparents from NY would send him expensive children clothes and practical things. He said that he always automatically new the presents from NY were crap and that the ones from Texas were exciting.
Then your father was an ungrateful little boy, maybe the other side couldn't afford more, did you think about that, also what kid wants clothes and "practical" things for christmas, its a time of joy and fun for kids for goodness sake! Give me cheap toys in abundance over a fookin jumper any day!
Alison, I have no idea what you concept of "Europe" is but the "typical" granny has been replaced with a child minder because granny has worked her socks off for years in a job to contribute to supporting the family and is enjoying her retirement now! The times you are reminiscing through are your fathers tales which are long gone, most if not all Italian women in Italy work same as in all European countries.
Why do Americans call real grandmas (real=gives sweets, gives pocket money, tell stories, are beloved by their grandchildren) as italian grandmas? doesnt non-italian grandmas like that?
I went to school with 30% Italian 2nd generation and they all got the same as I did and were treated no differently - Im English by the way! Alison is living in some dream and is deamonising Americans because she has some dream that its all different in Europe..It's bollox!
Sorry Ali but you've been fed a crock of shyt...