All Things Christmas
Get inspired this Christmas. Welcome to ChristmasMerry Christmas
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
The date of the Nativity is unclear. Many scholars believe the date was influenced more by the Romans Winter Solstice celebrations, when Pope Julius I chose the date of December 25th. Clues from the New Testament put the birth of Jesus in the spring, shepherds were staying out in the fields overnight when Jesus was born (Luke 2:8), as winter would have been to cold for them to do this. … Continue readingHistory of the Nativity
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
Like the Christmas cake, the Christmas pudding has is origins in plum porridge or pottage. Which was first referenced to in the 16th Century. Some scholars even date the pudding back to the 14th Century. These would have been meat dishes … Continue readingHistory of the Christmas Pudding
