General Chat

Squeezing a fir tree into your lounge, stuffing satsumas into stockings…….. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without our many festive traditions, but how many of you know how they all began? Let’s take a look:

Christmas Crackers

Tom Smith, a London sweet shop owner, invented the Christmas cracker. After spotting French bonbons wrapped in paper with a twist at each end in 1847, he sold similar sweets with a ‘love motto’ inside. He then included a trinket and a bang. By 1900, he was selling 13 million a year!

Tinsel

The first mass-produced Christmas decoration, tinsel was made in Europe in the 1600s from sheets of silver alloy hammered until they were paper thin, then cut into strips. It was designed to reflect the light from candles and fireplaces.

Mistletoe

Ancient druids believed mistletoe could cure illness, aid fertility and protect against witchcraft. The tradition of kissing underneath mistletoe originates from Scandinavia. According to a Norse legen, Loki, and evil god, made an arrow out of mistletoe and used it to kill Balder, the sun god. The mistotoe repented and was planted on a tree so it could do no more harm, and it became a symbol of love.

Christmas Cards

The first Christmas cards were sent in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, head of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Too busy to write letters, he had an artist design 1,000 cards, illustrated with a festive scene on the front and printed with a greeting.

Holly and Ivy

Holly and Ivy have been used to decorate homes since the 9th century because they symbolise everlasting life. The holly represents Christ’s crown of thorns and the berries his blood. Ivy was also thought to protect a house against drunkenness, while holly was said to keep witches and tax collectors away.

Christmas Stockings

In the 12th Century, French nuns, inspired by the legend of St Nicholas, who gave gold to the poor, began leaving stockings full of fruit and nuts at the houses of poor people. The toe of the stocking would contain an apple for good health and the heel a tangerine because they were very rare and expensive.

Carol Singing

The word ‘carol’ means dance or song of praise and joy, and the first carols were pagan songs to celebrate the winter solstice. Carols were once sung during all four seasons, but only the tradition of singing them at Christmas has survived.

Christmas Tree

It was the German evangelist Martin Luther who first decorated a fir tree in 1510. Queen Victoria’s German born husband, Albert, brought the tradition of decorating a tree for Christmas to our shores in around 1840. Artificial trees were invented in the 1930s by the Addis Company, who manufactured them using spare machines in their toilet-brush factory.

nudge.

Teresa

I think most of us will not realise how and when all the Christmas Traditions began Ann.I have learned a few things now lol.I wonder if Children are taught these things in school??

Some I knew but I didn't know about the stocking

I know this is not quite what you mean Ann, but did not know where else to post it.
As we were going out this afternoon, we drove through our little town. We saw all the school children filing into the local church 2 x 2, holding hands, for their Christmas Service. I was particularly touched to see that at least some traditions are still adhered to, despite the 'elf and safety and the politically correct mob.
Hope they all sang their little hearts out and enjoyed themselves.
Julia in Derbyshire (Very Touched)

Aaw sweet. Yes I reckon it belongs on here Julia.

Thanks Ann and keeping up with the GR tradition...

The Best Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe You Ever Tried!

Christmas Whisky Cake
--------------------------------
1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

6 large eggs

2 teaspoons baking powder

3 cups flour, sifted

1/2 t. salt

1 cup bourbon

1 pound pecans, chopped

3 cups white raisins (or use candied fruit)

1 t. nutmeg



~ a very large bottle of bourbon whisky ~



First, sample the whisky to check for quality.

Assemble all of the ingredients. Check the whisky again.

To be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Repeat this step.

Turn on the electric mixer and beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar and cream until beat.

Make sure the whisky is still okay... try another cup.

Turn off the mixer. Beat six leggs and add to the bowl,

then chunk in the cup of dried flut. Mix on the tuner.

Throw in two quarts of flour. Gradually pour in the cow.

Add 2 dried anything.

If the fried druit gets struck in the beaters, pry it loose with a drewscriver. Sample the whisky and check it again for tonsistency.

Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something. Whateva???


Check the whisky again.

Now sift the nutmeg and strain your nuts. Add one table.

And the spoon. Of whiskee. Or something. Whatever you find left.

Grease the oven.

Turn the crake pan to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner.

Pour the oven into the batter. Throw the bowl out the window.

Lick the batter off the floor.

Bake 300 minutes at 50 degrees.

Finish the blobble of whishy and flow to bed.

"I thenk yoo" ;O)

Sorry Ann :O(.....looks like I killed your very good thread

Mau xxx

No problem Mo a lot of people will have read and not commented.