Special Edition: Christmas Traditions
Written by Andrea, @infinitewolfgamer, and edited by Udita, @wilde_woof
Editor's note: All sources used are embedded within the article, italicized and marked in blue.
Do you have a fun or wacky family tradition? I know a lot of people do. Christmas traditions around the world are as diverse as we are, but share key traits that date back centuries. Our ‘modern’ Christmas is a result of hundreds of traditions from around the globe. Which ones play a part in YOUR Christmas?
Oh, Christmas tree! Oh, Christmas tree!
The common tradition of decorating Christmas trees actually comes from Germany. Decorating evergreen trees had always been a part of the German winter solstice tradition. The first ‘Christmas trees’ decorated and named after the Christian holiday, appeared in Strasbourg (part of Alsace) in the beginning of the 17th century. After 1750, decorated trees began showing up across Germany and even more places thanks to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, when in 1971, he visited Strasbourg and promptly included a Christmas tree in his novel, The Suffering of Young Werther. The tradition eventually reached British shores when the German Prince Albert married Queen Victoria. The tradition of leaving presents under the tree originated in Germany, too!
St. Lucia
Most people in Scandinavian countries honour a saint known as St. Lucia. The first celebration of St. Lucia Day originated in Sweden, but had spread to Denmark and Finland by the mid-19th century. The celebration would take place at night, which would end when everyone threw their torches into a large pile of straw, starting a bonfire. In Finland today, one girl is chosen to serve as the national ‘Lucia’ and is honoured in a parade. Meanwhile in Finland, many families visit a sauna on Christmas Eve. They gather and listen to the national radio broadcast, known as ‘Peace of Christmas.’ It is also traditional to visit the gravesites of their family members. Ever wondered where the Yule log came from? The ancient Norse used it in their celebration to commemorate the return of the sun at winter solstice. The word ‘Yule’ came from the Norse word hweol (wheel.) The Norse believed that the sun was a great wheel of fire that rolled towards, and then away from the earth.
Poinsettias
When most people think of a Christmas plant, other than holly and mistletoe, they think of poinsettia. The American minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, brought a red and green plant from Mexico to America (soon to be known as poinsettias). As its colouring seemed perfect for the new holiday, the plants, which were called poinsettias, actually named after Poinsett, began appearing in greenhouses as early as 1830. In 1870, New York stores began to sell them at Christmas and by the 1900s, they were a universal symbol of the holiday we all know today.
Christmas Cards
Christmas cards can be traced back to England. An Englishman named John Calcott Horsley helped to popularize the tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards when he began producing small cards featuring festive scenes and a pre-written holiday greeting in the late 1830s. Newly efficient post offices in England and the United States made the cards nearly overnight sensations. At about the same time, similar cards were being made by R.H. Pease, the first American card maker, in Albany, New York, and Louis Prang, a German who immigrated to America in 1850.
Mistletoe and Christmas Pudding
Many Celtic and Teutonic peoples had long considered mistletoe to have magic powers. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility. Celts hung mistletoe in their homes in order to bring themselves good luck and ward off evil spirits. During holidays in the Victorian era, the English would hang sprigs of mistletoe from ceilings and in doorways. As many of you know, if someone was found standing under the mistletoe, they would be kissed by someone else in the room. It just goes to show, maybe mistletoe does have powers after all!
Another tradition the English invented was good old Christmas pudding (a personal favourite of mine!) also known as ‘figgy pudding’ or plum pudding, which is an English dish dating back to the Middle Ages. Suet, flour, sugar, raisins, nuts, and spices are tied loosely in cloth and boiled until the ingredients are ‘plum,’ meaning they have enlarged enough to fill the cloth. It is then unwrapped, sliced like cake, and topped with cream. Delicious! The tradition of singing Christmas carols also began in England. Wandering musicians would travel from town to town visiting castles and homes of the rich. In return for their performance, the musicians hoped to receive a hot meal or money. Does that mean busking also originated in England…?
Other Traditions Around the World!
Meanwhile, in France, people burn a log in their homes from Christmas Eve until New Year’s Day. This stems from an ancient tradition in which farmers would use part of the log to ensure good luck for next year’s harvest.
Across the pond, in the United States, (as well as in the UK) children hang stockings on their bedposts or near a fireplace on Christmas Eve, hoping that it will be filled with treats from Santa Claus (St. Nicholas). In Scandinavia, similar-minded children leave their shoes on the hearth. This tradition can be traced to old legends.
In Australia, the holiday comes in the middle of summer and it’s not unusual for some parts of Australia to hit 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Christmas day. During the warm and sunny Australian Christmas season, beach time and outdoor barbecues are common. Traditional Christmas day celebrations include family gatherings, exchanging gifts, and either a hot meal with ham, turkey, pork, seafood, or barbeques.
As you can see, many of our Christmas traditions originated all over the globe. What will you be doing this year to celebrate Christmas?
