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Source: http://www.doksinet 1 MERRY CHRISTMAS, FOLKS! English Christmas Customs Countdown to Christmas The start of the Christmas season in England is known as Advent. Advent calendars are a countdown to Christmas and start four Sundays before Christmas. The advent calendar is the first sign of Christmas in English homes and offers a reason to look forward to Christmas Eve. Decors People decorate their houses with lights during Christmas. Red and green are the common decoration colours where green symbolizes the belief of eternal life through Jesus Christ and red symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ. The traditional Christmas tree in England is the fir Caroling Away Evening carol services and midnight masses are old English traditions that are upheld even today. People go carol singing from one house to another to collect money for charity This singing starts from St Thomas day i.e 21st December and lasts till Christmas day Mumming Mumming is one of the most popular English
traditions. Already in the Middle Ages artists called mummers wear masks and enact Christmas plays in towns or villages. The plays depict the struggle between good and evil and are, in a way, based on St. George and the dragon Gifts Galore Family and friends place gifts for other family members under the Christmas tree. The gifts are opened in the afternoon, or after the dinner feast. Christmas stockings are a very traditional part of English customs. Children usually hang these stockings in the chimney and around the house for Santa to fill them up with goodies Christmas Delicacies Food and festivals go hand in hand. Christmas dinner is usually eaten midday and only a type Source: http://www.doksinet 2 of porridge, made from a corn called Frumenty, can be eaten before that. There are different kinds of dishes which are devoured for dinner. Roasted turkey, sprouts, toffee puddings, plum puddings, mince pies, orange marmalade cake, chocolate Yule log and sauces, like cranberry sauce
or Cumberland sauce, are a few dishes that decorate the English dinner table. Wassail, an ale-based drink, seasoned with spices and honey has been associated with Christmas since the 1400s. It is passed around in a bowl and symbolizes the passing-on of good wishes Boxing Day The day after Christmas, i.e 26th December, is called Boxing Day On this day, boys go around collecting money and open the box once it is full. The contents from this box are then given to the poor. American Christmas Customs Thanksgiving In the United States, the festive season typically begins on the fourth Thursday of November i.e following the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City On this day, a spectacular procession of dancers and performers, lead by Santa Claus marches through downtown New York. Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of the Christmas season City Of Lights Weeks before Christmas, everywhere appear Christmas trees that are decorated with coloured lights, tinsels, bright ornaments,
stars and angels. Electric lights are installed in homes, commercial buildings and business centers, too. Santa Claus, snowmen, the reindeer-drawn sleigh, angels and the Christmas manger can be seen literally on every corner. Celebrations Since Christmas Eve is not an official holiday in America, offices hold celebrations and parties spread cheer and joy. Schools and universities, however, are closed Roman Catholics attend midnight masses and participate in carol singing. Protestant churches conduct special services with the famous manger scene. As per tradition, children hang up stockings before going to bed on Christmas Eve hoping, that Santa would fill them with presents. Unique Festivities In Hawaii, people wish their distant neighbours a Merry Christmas by shooting fireworks across the sky. Santa arrives on a boat, as opposed to a reindeer-sleigh and the Christmas dinner is eaten in the open. In Alaska, a star is positioned on a pole and taken from one door to door with Herods
soldiers trying to get hold of it. In the Southern part of the States, people decorate colonial doorways with pineapples, which signifies hospitality. In Washington D.C, a huge tree is decorated with thousands of electric lights and when the acting President presses a button, it starts to shine brightly. Traditional Christmas Dinner The traditional Christmas dinner in the US includes turkey and ham, potatoes and pie. Cakes are mandatory for the occasion; the menu also comprises crostoli, fried bread spiced with orange peel and pfeffernuesse, that is bread made with sweet spices. Baked bread and cookies are additional delicacies. Adults drink a concoction made of cream, milk, beaten eggs, sugar and rum or brandy, the so called egg-nog. Source: http://www.doksinet 3 HOLLY AND MISTLETOE The Christmas Mistletoe An integral part of Christmas symbols in the Anglo-Saxon world plays the mistletoe. The Mistletoe has been associated with love and peace since ages. Already centuries before
the birth of Christ, the mistletoe played an important symbolic part in the religious practices of Celtic Druids. They believed in the magic and healing powers of this parasitic plant. As Celtic culture in Central Europe was overrun by the Romans as well as Germanic tribes, it found its last refuge on the British Islands, where we can find the last living relics of this once far reaching culture. The mistletoe found its way into British Christmas tradition and therefore, together with the English language and English traditions, spread over most parts of the globe. The Germanic tribes of Scandinavia believed the mistletoe to be a plant of peace. If enemies happened to pass beneath the plant, they had to lay down their arms and call truce at least until the next day.The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to be associated with the Greek Saturnalia The mistletoe played its part in pre-Christian marriage rites, as it was believed that it had the power to confer fertility and
possessed life-giving powers. Ancient Holly Traditions Holly, along with mistletoe, has become traditionally tied to the Christmas holiday. Holly has also been associated with the winter solstice since the time of the ancient pagans of Europe. As one of the few plants able to thrive in frigid weather, it once signified hope against adversity and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. The holly tree was considered sacred by the ancient Druids of Britain and Gaul. European pagans believed that bringing holly branches into the home would keep the elves of the woodlands safe during the long, cold winter. The ancient Celts celebrated the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King represented one half of the year, and the Holly King represented the other. Based on the heartiness of the holly tree in the winter, the Holly King reigned triumphant during the cold months of the year. Source: http://www.doksinet 4 The jagged edges of the holly leaves have been compared to the
crown of thorns Christ was forced to wear during the crucifixion Revealing Christmas dining, New Orleans style Réveillon By Lorin Gaudin New Orleans Magazine, December 2000 "Eating in New Orleans is always a historical experience. Stretching back many years, virtually every traditional dish we eat evokes connections to family, ancestry and the land. Many foods that were once eaten in luxury are now viewed as historically exotic or are attached to a particular holiday celebration. Réveillon and the foods typically eaten during this time of year remind us of the special foods of the season. It is a celebration that provides a connection to our past and our cultural diversity and is also an excellent way to show off the city’s restaurants. "Traditionally, le Réveillon, or "the awakening," was the morning feast following midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Popular with Creole families in the mid-1800s, it is now much a part of our restaurant scene. Réveillon was
and still is something special to New Orleanians. "In the early days, most Catholics recognized Christmas Eve as a day of fasting and abstinence. Following midnight Mass, everyone was hungry and ready to celebrate with a Réveillon feast. Upon their return from church, family members sat down to an elaborate meal of daube glacé, chicken and oyster gumbo, pies filled with game, egg dishes, sweetbreads, soups, soufflés, grillades, grits, hominy, homemade breads, crystallized fruits, fruitcakes, lavish desserts, wine, brandy, eggnog, and dark-roast coffee. The celebration lasted until the wee hour of 3 Source: http://www.doksinet 5 a.m, when the ladies and children would retire The gentlemen, however, smoked cigars, drank and talked until dawn of Christmas Day "When social changes caused many of the old ways to be lost, the Réveillon celebration disappeared from New Orleans for a while. Church laws about fasting and abstinence were relaxed, and that may have also
contributed to the demise of Réveillon. Now, to help fill restaurants during a time when the convention business is slow, the Réveillon name has re-emerged in New Orleans, although its current manifestation is a bit different. Nuttin For Christmas Penned by S. Tepper and R Bennett in 1955, this funny Christmas carol asks the children to be good, if they want Santa Claus to bring them gifts on Christmas. I broke my bat on Johnnys head; Somebody snitched on me. I hid a frog in sisters bed; Somebody snitched on me. I spilled some ink on Mommys rug; I made Tommy eat a bug; Bought some gum with a penny slug; Somebody snitched on me. Oh, Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Mommy and Daddy are mad. Im getting nuttin for Christmas Cause I aint been nuttin but bad. I put a tack on teachers chair Somebody snitched on me. I tied a knot in Susies hair Somebody snitched on me. I did a dance on Mommys plants Source: http://www.doksinet 6 Climbed a tree and tore my pants Filled the sugar bowl with
ants Somebody snitched on me. So, Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Mommy and Daddy are mad. Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Cause I aint been nuttin but bad. I wont be seeing Santa Claus; Somebody snitched on me. He wont come visit me because Somebody snitched on me. Next year Ill be going straight; Next year Ill be good, just wait Id start now, but its too late; Somebody snitched on me. So you better be good whatever you do Cause if youre bad, Im warning you, Youll get nuttin for Christmas. Christmas stocking A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In some Christmas stories, the contents of the Christmas stocking are the only toys the child receives at Christmas from Santa Claus; in other stories (and in tradition), some
presents are also wrapped up in wrapping paper and placed under the Christmas tree. Tradition in Western culture dictates that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal. However, coal is rarely if ever left in a stocking, as it is considered cruel. Source: http://www.doksinet 7 History While there are no written records of the origin of the Christmas Stocking, there are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition. One such legend has several variations, but the following is a good example: Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried what would happen to them after his death. Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldnt accept charity. He decided to help in secret He waited until it was night and crept through the
chimney. He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and off he went When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and were of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.[1]This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas And so St Nicholas is a gift-giver[1] A tradition that began in a European country originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. The Christmas stocking custom is
derived from the Germanic figure Odin. According to Phyllis Siefker, children would place their boots, filled with carrots, straw, or sugar, near the chimney for Odins flying horse, Sleipnir, to eat. Odin would reward those children for their kindness by replacing Sleipnirs food with gifts or candy.[2] This practice, she claims, survived in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands after the adoption of Christianity and became associated with Saint Nicholas as a result of the process of Christianization. Today, stores carry a large variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, and Christmas stockings are also a popular homemade craft. Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family members name applied to the stocking so that Santa will know which stocking belongs to which family member. The Worlds Largest Christmas Stocking The Worlds Biggest Christmas Stocking was created by supporters of The Childrens Society in December 2007. Guinness World Records awarded the
stocking the title of the Largest Christmas Stocking on 14 December 2007 at ExCel in London. The previous holder of the title had broken the record in Canada just weeks before this attempt with a stocking measuring 19.25m by 823mIt was made out of over 6,000 squares of red knitting and measured 3256m long, and 14.97m wide (heel to toe) It weighed the equivalent of three [reindeer] and was filled with 1000 presents, which were then given to children in The Childrens Societys projects.The stocking was created as part of The Childrens Societys knitting fundraising appeal, The Big Stitch.[4] £33,000 was raised through sponsorship Source: http://www.doksinet 8 Source: http://www.doksinet 9 Source: http://www.doksinet 10 Source: http://www.doksinet 11 Source: http://www.doksinet 12
traditions. Already in the Middle Ages artists called mummers wear masks and enact Christmas plays in towns or villages. The plays depict the struggle between good and evil and are, in a way, based on St. George and the dragon Gifts Galore Family and friends place gifts for other family members under the Christmas tree. The gifts are opened in the afternoon, or after the dinner feast. Christmas stockings are a very traditional part of English customs. Children usually hang these stockings in the chimney and around the house for Santa to fill them up with goodies Christmas Delicacies Food and festivals go hand in hand. Christmas dinner is usually eaten midday and only a type Source: http://www.doksinet 2 of porridge, made from a corn called Frumenty, can be eaten before that. There are different kinds of dishes which are devoured for dinner. Roasted turkey, sprouts, toffee puddings, plum puddings, mince pies, orange marmalade cake, chocolate Yule log and sauces, like cranberry sauce
or Cumberland sauce, are a few dishes that decorate the English dinner table. Wassail, an ale-based drink, seasoned with spices and honey has been associated with Christmas since the 1400s. It is passed around in a bowl and symbolizes the passing-on of good wishes Boxing Day The day after Christmas, i.e 26th December, is called Boxing Day On this day, boys go around collecting money and open the box once it is full. The contents from this box are then given to the poor. American Christmas Customs Thanksgiving In the United States, the festive season typically begins on the fourth Thursday of November i.e following the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City On this day, a spectacular procession of dancers and performers, lead by Santa Claus marches through downtown New York. Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of the Christmas season City Of Lights Weeks before Christmas, everywhere appear Christmas trees that are decorated with coloured lights, tinsels, bright ornaments,
stars and angels. Electric lights are installed in homes, commercial buildings and business centers, too. Santa Claus, snowmen, the reindeer-drawn sleigh, angels and the Christmas manger can be seen literally on every corner. Celebrations Since Christmas Eve is not an official holiday in America, offices hold celebrations and parties spread cheer and joy. Schools and universities, however, are closed Roman Catholics attend midnight masses and participate in carol singing. Protestant churches conduct special services with the famous manger scene. As per tradition, children hang up stockings before going to bed on Christmas Eve hoping, that Santa would fill them with presents. Unique Festivities In Hawaii, people wish their distant neighbours a Merry Christmas by shooting fireworks across the sky. Santa arrives on a boat, as opposed to a reindeer-sleigh and the Christmas dinner is eaten in the open. In Alaska, a star is positioned on a pole and taken from one door to door with Herods
soldiers trying to get hold of it. In the Southern part of the States, people decorate colonial doorways with pineapples, which signifies hospitality. In Washington D.C, a huge tree is decorated with thousands of electric lights and when the acting President presses a button, it starts to shine brightly. Traditional Christmas Dinner The traditional Christmas dinner in the US includes turkey and ham, potatoes and pie. Cakes are mandatory for the occasion; the menu also comprises crostoli, fried bread spiced with orange peel and pfeffernuesse, that is bread made with sweet spices. Baked bread and cookies are additional delicacies. Adults drink a concoction made of cream, milk, beaten eggs, sugar and rum or brandy, the so called egg-nog. Source: http://www.doksinet 3 HOLLY AND MISTLETOE The Christmas Mistletoe An integral part of Christmas symbols in the Anglo-Saxon world plays the mistletoe. The Mistletoe has been associated with love and peace since ages. Already centuries before
the birth of Christ, the mistletoe played an important symbolic part in the religious practices of Celtic Druids. They believed in the magic and healing powers of this parasitic plant. As Celtic culture in Central Europe was overrun by the Romans as well as Germanic tribes, it found its last refuge on the British Islands, where we can find the last living relics of this once far reaching culture. The mistletoe found its way into British Christmas tradition and therefore, together with the English language and English traditions, spread over most parts of the globe. The Germanic tribes of Scandinavia believed the mistletoe to be a plant of peace. If enemies happened to pass beneath the plant, they had to lay down their arms and call truce at least until the next day.The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is said to be associated with the Greek Saturnalia The mistletoe played its part in pre-Christian marriage rites, as it was believed that it had the power to confer fertility and
possessed life-giving powers. Ancient Holly Traditions Holly, along with mistletoe, has become traditionally tied to the Christmas holiday. Holly has also been associated with the winter solstice since the time of the ancient pagans of Europe. As one of the few plants able to thrive in frigid weather, it once signified hope against adversity and the promise of a brighter tomorrow. The holly tree was considered sacred by the ancient Druids of Britain and Gaul. European pagans believed that bringing holly branches into the home would keep the elves of the woodlands safe during the long, cold winter. The ancient Celts celebrated the battle of the Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King represented one half of the year, and the Holly King represented the other. Based on the heartiness of the holly tree in the winter, the Holly King reigned triumphant during the cold months of the year. Source: http://www.doksinet 4 The jagged edges of the holly leaves have been compared to the
crown of thorns Christ was forced to wear during the crucifixion Revealing Christmas dining, New Orleans style Réveillon By Lorin Gaudin New Orleans Magazine, December 2000 "Eating in New Orleans is always a historical experience. Stretching back many years, virtually every traditional dish we eat evokes connections to family, ancestry and the land. Many foods that were once eaten in luxury are now viewed as historically exotic or are attached to a particular holiday celebration. Réveillon and the foods typically eaten during this time of year remind us of the special foods of the season. It is a celebration that provides a connection to our past and our cultural diversity and is also an excellent way to show off the city’s restaurants. "Traditionally, le Réveillon, or "the awakening," was the morning feast following midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Popular with Creole families in the mid-1800s, it is now much a part of our restaurant scene. Réveillon was
and still is something special to New Orleanians. "In the early days, most Catholics recognized Christmas Eve as a day of fasting and abstinence. Following midnight Mass, everyone was hungry and ready to celebrate with a Réveillon feast. Upon their return from church, family members sat down to an elaborate meal of daube glacé, chicken and oyster gumbo, pies filled with game, egg dishes, sweetbreads, soups, soufflés, grillades, grits, hominy, homemade breads, crystallized fruits, fruitcakes, lavish desserts, wine, brandy, eggnog, and dark-roast coffee. The celebration lasted until the wee hour of 3 Source: http://www.doksinet 5 a.m, when the ladies and children would retire The gentlemen, however, smoked cigars, drank and talked until dawn of Christmas Day "When social changes caused many of the old ways to be lost, the Réveillon celebration disappeared from New Orleans for a while. Church laws about fasting and abstinence were relaxed, and that may have also
contributed to the demise of Réveillon. Now, to help fill restaurants during a time when the convention business is slow, the Réveillon name has re-emerged in New Orleans, although its current manifestation is a bit different. Nuttin For Christmas Penned by S. Tepper and R Bennett in 1955, this funny Christmas carol asks the children to be good, if they want Santa Claus to bring them gifts on Christmas. I broke my bat on Johnnys head; Somebody snitched on me. I hid a frog in sisters bed; Somebody snitched on me. I spilled some ink on Mommys rug; I made Tommy eat a bug; Bought some gum with a penny slug; Somebody snitched on me. Oh, Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Mommy and Daddy are mad. Im getting nuttin for Christmas Cause I aint been nuttin but bad. I put a tack on teachers chair Somebody snitched on me. I tied a knot in Susies hair Somebody snitched on me. I did a dance on Mommys plants Source: http://www.doksinet 6 Climbed a tree and tore my pants Filled the sugar bowl with
ants Somebody snitched on me. So, Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Mommy and Daddy are mad. Im gettin nuttin for Christmas Cause I aint been nuttin but bad. I wont be seeing Santa Claus; Somebody snitched on me. He wont come visit me because Somebody snitched on me. Next year Ill be going straight; Next year Ill be good, just wait Id start now, but its too late; Somebody snitched on me. So you better be good whatever you do Cause if youre bad, Im warning you, Youll get nuttin for Christmas. Christmas stocking A Christmas stocking is an empty sock or sock-shaped bag that children hang on Christmas Eve so that Santa Claus (or Father Christmas) can fill it with small toys, candy, fruit, coins or other small gifts when he arrives. These small items are often referred to as stocking stuffers or stocking fillers. In some Christmas stories, the contents of the Christmas stocking are the only toys the child receives at Christmas from Santa Claus; in other stories (and in tradition), some
presents are also wrapped up in wrapping paper and placed under the Christmas tree. Tradition in Western culture dictates that a child who behaves badly during the year will receive only a piece of coal. However, coal is rarely if ever left in a stocking, as it is considered cruel. Source: http://www.doksinet 7 History While there are no written records of the origin of the Christmas Stocking, there are popular legends that attempt to tell the history of this Christmas tradition. One such legend has several variations, but the following is a good example: Very long ago, there lived a poor man and his three very beautiful daughters. He had no money to get his daughters married, and he was worried what would happen to them after his death. Saint Nicholas was passing through when he heard the villagers talking about the girls. St Nicholas wanted to help, but knew that the old man wouldnt accept charity. He decided to help in secret He waited until it was night and crept through the
chimney. He had three bags of gold coins with him, one for each girl As he was looking for a place to keep those three bags, he noticed stockings of the three girls that were hung over the mantelpiece for drying. He put one bag in each stocking and off he went When the girls and their father woke up the next morning, they found the bags of gold coins and were of course, overjoyed. The girls were able to get married and live happily ever after.[1]This led to the custom of children hanging stockings or putting out shoes, eagerly awaiting gifts from Saint Nicholas. Sometimes the story is told with gold balls instead of bags of gold. That is why three gold balls, sometimes represented as oranges, are one of the symbols for St. Nicholas And so St Nicholas is a gift-giver[1] A tradition that began in a European country originally, children simply used one of their everyday socks, but eventually special Christmas stockings were created for this purpose. The Christmas stocking custom is
derived from the Germanic figure Odin. According to Phyllis Siefker, children would place their boots, filled with carrots, straw, or sugar, near the chimney for Odins flying horse, Sleipnir, to eat. Odin would reward those children for their kindness by replacing Sleipnirs food with gifts or candy.[2] This practice, she claims, survived in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands after the adoption of Christianity and became associated with Saint Nicholas as a result of the process of Christianization. Today, stores carry a large variety of styles and sizes of Christmas stockings, and Christmas stockings are also a popular homemade craft. Many families create their own Christmas stockings with each family members name applied to the stocking so that Santa will know which stocking belongs to which family member. The Worlds Largest Christmas Stocking The Worlds Biggest Christmas Stocking was created by supporters of The Childrens Society in December 2007. Guinness World Records awarded the
stocking the title of the Largest Christmas Stocking on 14 December 2007 at ExCel in London. The previous holder of the title had broken the record in Canada just weeks before this attempt with a stocking measuring 19.25m by 823mIt was made out of over 6,000 squares of red knitting and measured 3256m long, and 14.97m wide (heel to toe) It weighed the equivalent of three [reindeer] and was filled with 1000 presents, which were then given to children in The Childrens Societys projects.The stocking was created as part of The Childrens Societys knitting fundraising appeal, The Big Stitch.[4] £33,000 was raised through sponsorship Source: http://www.doksinet 8 Source: http://www.doksinet 9 Source: http://www.doksinet 10 Source: http://www.doksinet 11 Source: http://www.doksinet 12
