Category: Christmas Traditions

As a child other than getting a Christmas Tree with my parents and sister. There was only one other tree that I would get excited about and that was the Christmas Tree in Trafalgar Square. As far as I was … Continue readingThat Christmas Tree

The Yule Log traditionally was a large wooden log burnt at Christmas, often over the Twelve Days of Christmas. The word Yule comes from the Norse for ‘Yul’ or ‘Jul’. The origins of the Yule log could possibly come from … Continue readingHistory of the Christmas Yule Log

The Twelve Nights of Christmas run from Christmas Day until the evening of 5th January, The Twelfth Night. This traditionally marks the eve of the Magi, the wise men’s arrival. It makes the end of Christmastide and is the eve … Continue readingHistory of The Twelfth Night

Mistletoe is one on the oldest symbols of Christmas. It is a hemi-parasitic plant. It grows on deciduous trees, most commonly apples and willows. It is evergreen, making it a popular winter decoration. The Druids and Mistletoe To the Druids … Continue readingHistory of Mistletoe

It is possible that the Christmas Mince Pie dates back to the 11th Century and the Crusaders. On their return from the Holy Land they brought back with them oriental spices, three of which cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg were added … Continue readingHistory of Mince Pies

Father Christmas, myth, fiction or fact? To many children who celebrate Christmas, Father Christmas is a fact. They visit him at department stores. Watch Christmas parades. Even fly to the frozen North with their parents to see him in the … Continue readingHistory of Father Christmas

It is possible that the Christmas Wreath has it origins not in a religious festival but a sporting one. A wreath was initially used to represent a person’s status or occupation in Greek and Roman times. But under the Greeks the laurel wreath became the crown of victors at the Pythian games approximately 582BC. The Romans carried on the tradition and used the wreath as a sign within Roman society for the arts, government, education and literature. Julius Caesar even claimed it to be ‘a symbol of the supreme ruler’. This symbol of greatness and rule would later be replaced by kings with jewels and gold to be come crowns. Some scholars believe that the wreath may not descend from the Greeks, but the Persians. Royalty in that ancient culture would wear a fabric headband or diadem which would have been covered in gems. … Continue readingHistory of the Christmas Wreath

Pre-Christianity, many civilizations used evergreen decorations. The Egyptians used green date palm leaves during the winter solstice. The Romans during Saturnalia decorated their homes with greenery. They are also believed to have attached candles to trees for the sun god, Sol and in addition they placed replicas of Bacchus, the fertility god on the trees. … Continue readingHistory of the Christmas Tree

Christmas Stockings has its origins in pagan mythology. The Germanic god, Odin had a horse called Sleipnir, which was white and eight legged. Children would leave in their boots, carrots and straw by the chimney for Sleipnir. And in return for their kindness, Odin would leave them gifts. The tradition has survived in Germany, Holland and Belgium … Continue readingHistory of Christmas Stockings