In the 1940s the emphasis was more on celebrations within the churches and grand events like concerts and dances.

The Broadlands estate supplied a large tree for the childrens' corner in the Abbey Church. 

Throughout the 1950s the tree was erected outside the old Corn Exchange. The Rotary Club organised carols around the tree and music was provided by the Michelmersh Silver Band and sometimes bands from local schools.

In 1963 the Christmas tree was placed outside the Town Hall and this remained its position until 1981 when there was room for it in the centre of the Market Place.

Switching on the tree lights became a formal event often done by both the mayors of the town and of Test Valley. In the early 1980s Lord and Lady Romsey switched on the lights. The tradition of having a local school child switch on all the Christmas lights was started in 1988.

Hampshire Chronicle: Christmas Tree outside the old Corn Exchange 1962

In 1954 the shops in Bell Street made a joint effort to decorate their frontages but even in the 1960s the Chamber of Trade was trying with limited success to persuade all the Romsey shops to become involved. Eventually in 1979 the Abbey was floodlit and the Chamber of Commerce provided Christmas lights to decorate the town and late night shop openings were organised.  In 1981 small decorated Christmas trees were added on shop fronts.

Queen Elizabeth II and her family often visited Broadlands in December and attended the Advent Service at the Abbey. In 1981 the Queen remarked that Romsey was a beautiful town.

In 1988 the Chamber of Commerce spent £3000 on more lights aided by Test Valley B C and the Town Council. In that year there was a problem with the highway authority over the height of the lights and they had to be raised.  Originally the lights were strung across the roads and around the Market Place by the electricians employed by the Borough Council. Later the job was taken on by volunteers from the Fire Brigade helped by members of the local Scout groups.  These lights were the old fashioned incandescent bulbs and were re-used from year to year. Now the lights are LEDs which last better and take less power. Increasing concern about health and safety has meant that the lights are no longer hung by volunteers but by a professional firm employed by the Council.

The end result is that most of us would agree with Queen Elizabeth "Romsey is a beautiful town".