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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
John Bett

Couple who live like it's the 1930s celebrated a very old-school Christmas

A couple who live like it's the 1930s have celebrated a very old-school Christmas - complete with vintage decorations, gifts, and clothes, and they passed the time by listening to music on their gramophone.

Lisa and Neil Fletcher have a very unique style and live as though they're in the pre-war decade - from the outfits they wear, to the films they watch and even the way they decorate their home.

Their Christmas tree is adorned with countless original 1920s and 30s decorations collected over the years from various markets and charity shops. Their roast dinner is cooked in their 1929 enamel cooker and even their presents for each other all originate from the same time period.

The couple even exchanged traditional gifts - like evening dresses and vintage underwear, cufflinks and second-hand books from the era.

Lisa and Neil Fletcher live like it's the 1930s (SWNS)

What do you think about the Fletcher's Christmas? Let us know in the comments...

The Fletchers have a 1935 Westinghouse fridge which was purchased on eBay to keep treats cold - and an original working electric food warmer spotted for £5 at a steam fair to keep their veggies warm.

Their kitchen also has a full 1930s dinner service with original cutlery, glasses, table clothes and crockery for their Christmas meal.

While they eat, they wear authentic 30s clothes and listen to some of their favourite festive tracks on their much-loved gramophone.

They had a tree, but naturally it was a real one (SWNS)

Lisa and Neil then settled down to watch black-and-white films and TV shows - all set in the period.

Lisa, 58, had the dream of living out an authentic 1930s lifestyle and convinced engineer Neil, 55, to get on board after they married in 1991.

Since then, the couple have committed to an old-school life - and have a 1930s fridge, lawnmower, vacuum cleaner and car.

Lisa, of Watchet, Somerset, said: "I think people assume we're like something from Dickensian England, sat here by flickering candlelight - but it's not like that.

Lisa got many of their decorations second hand (SWNS)

"Sometimes people come around with the idea that because we buy second hand, everything will be dark and dusty.

"It's never what they're expecting though - we like everything light and bright."

Lisa, a housewife, and Neil, an engineer, aren't like a modern day couple - instead living their lives like they're in the 1930s.

Their three-bed house is decorated with authentic items from a pre-war Britain era - from their flooring down to the doorknobs and vintage light switches.

The pair enjoy the simpler things in life (SWNS)

Not only that, but their lifestyle is modelled from the era - they only ever pay with cash and use a landline rather than a mobile phone.

The authentic couple have lived in three houses, and moved into their current one six years ago which they have been turning into their 1930s haven ever since.

As every year, this December their home is intricately decorated in 1920s and 30s fashion - almost exclusively using authentic decorations.

Lisa said: "A lot of them came from a car boot sale - I spotted a box for £1 which originally contained army uniforms.

They don't need mod-cons (SWNS)

"I looked inside and it was full of vintage 1920s and 30s Christmas decorations and a note inside wishing someone a happy Christmas from 1937 - I was amazed!''

Lisa buys at least one new tree ornament every year - and bases her tree on the theme "Christmas party".

Lisa said: "About five years ago, all these boxes kept turning up at the house which Neil said I wasn't allowed to touch.

"When morning came, I opened it up and found it was an original 1920s crystal radio set with bakelite headphones.

They cooked a turkey in their vintage oven (SWNS)

"In the past I have received 1920s and 30s evening dresses and vintage underwear - and I've previously bought Neil 1930s cufflinks and second-hand books.

"We still get each other plenty of presents - but no modern run-of-the-mill ones. We have to hunt our presents down!"

Lisa said this Christmas it is just her, Neil and their two cats.

Lisa, who cooks everything from scratch all year round, said: "I love my gramophone and I love my music.

They also spent time listening to their gramophone (SWNS)

"We play records of Al Bowlly's 'Snowball', George Formby's 'Sitting on the Ice in the Ice Rink', and Bing Crosby singing 'White Christmas'.

"We also have an original copy of Frosty the Snowman - we love them all."

Lisa said: "This year we have saved the new Downton Abbey film to watch.

"We certainly won't be watching any shows like Love Island or I'm A Celebrity!"

She added that every year they have listened to the Queen's Speech on the wireless - but this year they might watch on TV as it's the first year with a speech delivered by the new King.

Lisa added: "I hope people will accept what we do and why - some are very complimentary but other people have been very rude in the past.

"But we love our lifestyle and I can't ever imagine anything else.

"If I woke up tomorrow and it was all modern, I'd probably lock myself in a cupboard and refuse to come out.

"People might not understand it - but we just do what we do.

"And of course - Merry Christmas everyone!"

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