The history of Christmas traditions

All around the world, Christmas is celebrated in different ways. Be it a white Christmas carving turkey's in the northern hemisphere, or sizzling sausages on the BBQ down under, the 25th of December is seeped in tradition. Even individual families will have their own unique way of spending the day.

Within this diversity, there are some token rituals of the day that can be found in homes across the globe. Decorating tree's? Kissing under the mistletoe? Tugging at crackers? For most of us these things are a given that add to the spirit of Christmas. But why do we do these things? Where did these traditions begin?

O Christmas Tree

Prince Albert is said to have introduced the decorated tree ritual in the UK in 1841, though some say it goes back as far as Roman times. Long practiced in Germany, the hanging fruit and baubles is a mixture of pagan and Christian symbols: the fruit of the earth and the sun.

Gobbling Turkeys

Edward VII set the trend for eating turkey at Christmas though he should have picked something a little less soporific...apparently. Considered a luxury until the 1950's, it wasn't until everyone owned a fridge that the novelty wore off. But we still go on and on... until the very last sandwich is gone.

Stockings Suspended

The story says that St Nicholas, a Christian leader from as far back as 4th century AD started the stocking tradition quite by accident. A shy do-gooder, Nicholas once climbed onto the roof of a house before dropping a purse of money down its chimney. And where did it land, but in a young maiden's stocking hung out to dry!

Going Crackers

Crackers were launched in Britain in the 1850's as an attempt to follow the Parisian mode of gift-wrapped sweets. Although they didn't always make the banging noise - the entire point, one might say - rest assured they always contained useless gimmicks and bad jokes or smarty pants mottos.

Under the Mistletoe

Snogging under the Mistletoe isn't a new thing. Not only are the white berries rather suggestive, but Mistletoe was long said to have magical fertile powers. The kissing bough was hooked up at the start of the Christmas season making any young ladies under it fair game for the young men. And vice versa.

Boxing Day

Nothing to do with Ali, Tyson or families getting upset with each other! The "Boxing Day" dates way back to the Middle Ages when churches would open their Alms Boxes for the congregation to make gifts and donations. These were then distributed to the poor in the neighbourhood the day after Christmas.

One wonders what aspect of today's Christmas's will become historically traditional for generations to come...

published 3 years ago

linda

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