Christmas Traditions

Why do we have Christmas trees?

In the UK the Christmas tree was first introduced in 1800 by the wife of King George III, Queen Charlotte, who brought the tradition from her native Germany, where it was common custom to have a Christmas Yew tree in your home. She requested a Yew tree which she could decorate herself be brought to Queen’s Lodge in Windsor.

   

Why is Mistletoe hung at Christmas?

Mistletoe was considered so sacred in ancient Britain that it could only be cut by druids with a golden sickle. The plant had connotations of peace, and people who met underneath it were forbidden from fighting, even if they were bitter enemies. Homes decorated with mistletoe offered shelter and protection to anyone who entered.

To the druids of the old religions, it was a potent symbol of fertility, and the Greeks and the Romans regularly parleyed peace beneath its boughs. From the Middle Ages our ancestors hung it above the threshold to ward off evil spirits, although the Victorians helped give the plant its modern, lip-smacking tradition.

Why is Holly associated with Christmas?

The barbed leaves and red berries of the holly plant have long been identified with eternal life and protection in Great Britain. At first the Christian church took a disapproving stance to holly, forbidding it from appearing in churches, but the spiky leaves still appeared in people’s houses, as the red of the berries was thought to ward off witches. In the face of such popularity, the custom was sanctified, the leaves taken to represent Christ’s crown of thorns, and the berries His blood.

Christmas Films

There's a Christmas movie out there for every personality. Do you like romance? Hallmark Christmas movies have you covered. Action? There's always Die Hard or Batman Returns. Kids at home? There are tons of Christmas movies for kids to choose from. "My family is obsessed with National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation — now we all wear sweatshirts with funny sayings from the movie for our holiday portrait," says April Franzino, Good Housekeeping's Beauty Director.

Here are a selection of our favourites:

The 1946 classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” – about a man who longs to travel but remains stuck in his childhood town – represents visions of a community in which every citizen is a vital component.

Another movie commonly replayed this time of year is 2005’s “The Family Stone” which portrays the clashes of a mostly average family but shows viewers that quarrels can be worked through and harmony is possible.

The 2003 British holiday film “Love Actually,” which follows the lives of eight couples in London, brings to viewers the perennial theme of romance and the trials of relationships.

The “Christmas Chronicles” is a film about how 2 kids meet Father Christmas and try to save Christmas.

The “Muppets a Christmas Carol” is foul man being visited by the ghosts of past and present and future

Traditional Christmas food across the world

France:

• The French enjoy their lavish holiday meal on December 24,
• Locals sit down for dinner around 8 p.m., and savour a first course of seafood. That usually means a lobster thermidor – a baked dish of the cooked crustacean mixed with mustard, egg yolks and brandy.
• Then it’s on to a large capon – a male chicken that’s renowned for its tenderness – and a medley of sides including mashed potatoes and chestnuts sauteed with butter and topped with sage.
• Dessert, the grand finale, is a yule log, or bûche de Noël – the French version of a Christmas cake.
• To drink, it’s the finest wine you can get your hands on, usually red from Burgundy that’s not too full-bodied for the capon.
• On Christmas Day, the French savour a hearty brunch that may include creamy scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and toast. The meal finishes with assorted cheeses such as Brie, Gruyere and Munster.

Italy:

• Similar to France, Italians celebrate Christmas with their biggest spread on the eve of the big day. Locals usually attend midnight Mass and enjoy a sumptuous meal before heading to church.
• Smoked salmon with buttered crostini or a smoked salted cod is the precursor to the main meal. Italians from coastal areas such as the Amalfi Coast may start with a crudo such as sea bass with herbs and sea salt.
• Next up is tortellini in Brodo – stuffed pasta bathed in a hot broth of chicken and Parmesan cheese – the latter of which must come from the namesake region in Italy.
• For the main meal, Northern Italians tend to have stuffed turkey, while those from seaside areas may tuck into a large baked sea bass surrounded by roasted potatoes and vegetables.
• Christmas Day is more about connecting with family and less about food. Families eat leftovers and recover from the day before.

England:

• The British don’t typically indulge in their big holiday meal on Christmas Eve. The 24th is for cooking with our families, sharing drinks with friends, and perhaps to church.
• The real festivities start on Christmas morning with a glass of champagne and a breakfast of smoked salmon and mince pieces Later that day, after the King’s annual Christmas speech has aired at 3pm, it’s time for dinner.
• That means a turkey or roast beef and a host of sides such as roasted parsnips and carrots, buttered peas and Brussels sprouts. Some families include Yorkshire pudding too.
• Dessert is Christmas pudding, which is actually a dark and dense cake made with dried fruits, spices and usually a splash of brandy.

We hope you enjoyed our Christmas blog and wish you all a very happy season with a successful New Year to come.