12 OF THE BEST CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS TO FOLLOW

Last Updated on 24th November 2022 by Bejal

Ever wondered why we follow certain Christmas traditions around the festive season but have absolutely no idea why we do? Yep me too. Worry not, I have researched them for you so you can wow your family and friends in-between the Christmas dinner and the Queen’s speech!

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12 Of The Best Christmas Traditions To Follow

#No.1 Mince Pies

Originally in the medieval times, these savoury pies contained beef, mutton or rabbit and were a good way to preserve meat in the winter months that prevailed over Christmas, however in 1413, King Henry V served mincemeat in a pie with fruit containing nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. These spices were said to be symbolic of the gifts the three wise men gave baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Mince pies were originally made in an oval shape reminiscent of the crib whilst the top represents the cloth the baby Jesus was swaddles in.

Eventually meat no longer needed to be preserved and was replaced with fruits such as currants and raisins and the mincemeat mix in traditionally made on the first advent.

#No.2. Christmas Pudding

Eventually meat no longer needed to be preserved and was replaced with fruits such as currants and raisins and the mincemeat mix in traditionally made on the first advent.

Christmas puddings originated in the 14^th century as frumenty, a type of porridge, made form beef and mutton with raisins, currents, prunes, wines and spices. It was a little like a soup and eaten as a fasting meal in preparation for Christmas. It was later thickened with eggs and called a plum pudding and in the Victorian times, King George I introduced it as the Christmas pudding we eat today.

The traditional sprig of holy on top represents Jesus’s crown, which he wore when he was crucified, and the brandy butter poured over the top is used to represent his love and power.

Christmas Pudding Recipe

#No.3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Mistletoe dates back to the time of the druids and is supposed to possess mystical powers, which when hung in houses, bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.

The custom of kissing under the mistletoe comes from England and was actually illustrated in the first version of ‘A Christmas Carol’ after it was seen on stage.

Fun Fact Mistletoe comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Mistel’, meaning dung and ‘tan’ meaning twig, translating to poo on a stick! You’ll always remember that when kissing under the Mistletoe now won’t you?

#No.4 Gingerbread

Ginger was first used as a medicinal ingredient in the middle ages as it is today but the popularity of gingerbread came about in Germany where the traditional spices of cloves, cardamon, cinnamon were combined with molasses and flour. Women in Germany would eat Gingerbread men if they were seeking to marry soon. It was actually Hansel & Gretel who made the Gingerbread house famous as we know it today!

#No.5 Father Christmas

Santa Claus is based on a real person, St. Nicholas, who was a Bishop and wanted to give money to poor people without them knowing about it. It is said that one day, he climbed the roof of a house and dropped a purse of money down the chimney. It landed in the stocking, which a girl had put to dry by the fire! This may explain the belief that Father Christmas comes down the chimney and places gifts in children’s stockings.

In England the name Father Christmas was adopted as Christmas was known as an old winter festival and in 1866 Thomas Nast depicted Father Christmas as wearing a big white beard. Hence his festive aesthetics today! I think this is one Christmas tradition, which will be here to stay with the kiddos forever!

#No. 6 Boxing Day

The 26^th December in the middle ages was when the alms collection box in churches was opened to distribute the contents to the poor. It was also the day when rich land owners would give their gifts to those who worked for them and gave them a day off to celebrate Christmas with their own families.

Did you know Boxing day is also St Stephens day when the carol ‘Good King Wenceslas’ is set and depicts a king who helps the poor? This is where the Victorian view of being Charitable comes from and is still observed, ‘Good will to all men’ and ‘the season of good will’.

#No. 7 Christmas Eve

Evergreen fir trees have been used to celebrate pagan and Christian winter festivals for thousands of years. The Romans even decorated their temples with fir tree branches as an everlasting life with God. Nobody is really sure when Fir trees were first used as Christmas trees. It probably began about 1000 years ago in Northern Europe. The idea of decorating then is said to have originated in Germany where they were adorned with edible things such as cloves and oranges but replaced during Victorian times with more ornamental baubles.

#No. 8 Holly & Ivy

Evergreen fir trees have been used to celebrate pagan and Christian winter festivals for thousands of years. The Romans even decorated their temples with fir tree branches as an everlasting life with God. Nobody is really sure when Fir trees were first used as Christmas trees. It probably began about 1000 years ago in Northern Europe. The idea of decorating then is said to have originated in Germany where they were adorned with edible things such as cloves and oranges but replaced during Victorian times with more ornamental baubles.

#No. 9 Mulled Wine

Mulled wine originated in the 12th century. It was created by the Romans who would heat wine to defend their bodies against the cold winter. In the 1890s, when glögg became associated with Christmas. The spices used in Mulled wine are thought to be warming and resemble gifts that the wise men took to baby Jesus. Mulled wine id definitely one of those Christmas traditions we can all get on board with!

#No. 10 Christmas Crackers

Legend has it that in the 19^th century sweet maker, Tom Smith was sitting in front of his fire and the sparks and cracks coming from it made him think of a fancy sweet, which when opened could spark! Here was born the cracker as we know it with a sweet, small toy and joke as the surprise inside. Today crackers are a huge Christmas tradition, which are filled with all kinds of luxury and novelty gifts!

#No.11 Poinsettias

The Poinsettia is the national emblem of Madagascar and it is thought that the flower and the leaves are sometimes thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem, which led the three wise men to Jesus in the stable. The red coloured leaves symbolise the blood of Christ and the white leaves show his purity.

#No. 12 Festive Wreaths

Christmas wreaths have a very beautiful meaning as far as Christmas traditions go. They made of evergreen foliage and represent everlasting life. The circular shape is thought to represent god with no beginning and no end.

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• Eco-friendly Christmas Tree Ideas
• Sustainable Christmas Gift Ideas & Stocking Fillers

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