Every year, many families in Britain make it a point to go out of town for the holidays – much like people in other countries, as a matter of fact. For this year, today marks the beginning of a mass exodus out of the major cities into the countryside, spilling over to the bordering countries.
Despite the price of petrol, which has skyrocketed to astronomical amounts in the past year, it seems that a large number of motorists are still going to be on the road. According to a survey conducted by RAC, the estimated number of cars that will be on the road during this season total to about 18 million!
On the other hand, the survey also found out that majority of the motorists is planning to cut their road trips over the next several days. This is mainly due to the high prices of petrol.
Another factor that might make road trips a bit complicated today and in the next several days is the fact that the rail network is due for repairs. This of course means that more people will be forced to travel by car and traverse the roads.
So where are the Britons going during the Christmas season? Though a large number still stick to the traditional celebrations – that is, visiting family members and friends – a considerable number are also opting to go down south where the sun is shining and the breeze is blowing. Who can blame them? Rather than stressing over visits to in-laws, who wouldn’t choose a tropical Christmas instead?
Here’s the last installment for this series – the last of the ten ages of Christmas.
World War II Christmas
This event changed the course of history all over the world and the way the English celebrated Christmas was not spared from change. Because of the hardships that the war brought about, the English of that time learned how to make do with what they had for the holidays. The best thing about the changes that the war brought about is that the people back then kept the spirit of Christmas alive – giving and sharing – and turned the affair into something productive for those who needed it the most.
The trend was for those who had money to give to those who needed help and to help support the war. Of course, travel and other festivities were disrupted by the Blitz. The war also brought out the creativeness in most people back then as they had to prepare meals and feasts with the barest essentials. Perhaps, despite the leanness of the season with regard to material things, it was the best period for many, as they really experienced what Christmas was about.
Post-war Christmas
This is perhaps the most familiar era to most of us today. We pretty much celebrate Christmas the way they did way back in the 50s. Quoting BBC again:
‘Parties … owe much of their success to the thought expended on food and drink. Even the impromptu need not take the hostess by surprise if the store cupboard is kept well-stocked with pastry shells in airtight tins and good supplies of canned and bottled delicacies.’
Have a party-filled Christmas!
Late Victorian
We featured Father Christmas in a previous post but let’s talk a bit about him once again. He dates back to the late Victorian period (even way before this actually) and became really popular at this point. BBC describes the Late Victorian Christmas in relation to Father Christmas as:
In medieval England and for centuries afterwards, the figure of Father Christmas represented the spirit of benevolence and good cheer. In the 19th century, his role changed to something more like that of the European Saint Nicholas. At about the same time, Dutch emigrants took the story of a legendary gift-bringer called ‘Sinterklaas’ to America, where he eventually became known as Santa Claus.
The names may be different, but there were enough similarities between all these symbolic personages to allow, by the early 20th century, Father Christmas, Santa, St Nick and others to merge. And the resulting ‘right jolly old elf’ is now the universally recognised symbol of Christmas.
Early 20th Century
Ahh, this period is when Christmas shopping became an art. I suppose a whole lot of modern people today would be able to relate to this period. More so, they would be thanking whoever thought of Christmas shopping!
It was also during this time that stockings became a staple of Christmas celebrations. In fact, the stockings were adopted from a Dutch tradition wherein the children stuffed their stockings with straw, which was supposed to be a gift for Father Christmas’s horse. In return, they hoped to be given some sweets.
(last installment next time!)
Georgian and Regency Christmas
The subdued atmosphere and celebrations of the Restoration Christmas did not really become popular in England. After this period, the Georgian and Regency period entered. Quite naturally, the kings and queens of this era became the focal point of many celebrations.
It was also during this time that the Twelfth Night became firmly embedded in the English Christmas Tradition. The Twelfth Night is actually the 5th of January and is celebrated as the end of the Christmas season. This tradition can be traced way back to the Middle Ages but the festivities surrounding this date can be attributed to the parties that the monarchs and other nobility held during this day.
Early Victorian Christmas
Perhaps the most popular image that can be attributed to the Early Victorian Christmas would be the Christmas tree. For many people today, Christmas is not complete with out this tree – and this is true for many countries around the world, even those who do not really have evergreen trees. Although the Christmas tree was introduced to England during the Georgian period (this was from Germany, by the way), it was Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who made it part of English custom. They were quite passionate about the holiday season and made the Christmas tree a focal point of their family celebrations.
Mid-Victorian Christmas
If the Early Victorian Christmas made the Christmas tree popular, the mid-Victorian era brought forth the Christmas card and the Christmas cracker. As one Victorian writer wrote:
‘If there is one thing inseparable from Christmas in general and the little ones’ seasonable gatherings in particular, it is - a cracker. With what a delightful look of expectation they have waited for it to go “bang”, and how they have screamed as they scrambled after the surprise which came in response to the explosion …’.
Christmas as we know it today was not always like this. Over the centuries, Christmas has evolved in so many ways that we may not even recognise the way that the early British celebrated their Christmas. This is the first part of a mini-series on the 10 Ages of Christmas, starting from the Medieval times to the Post-War era.
Medieval Christmas
This was basically the time when Christmas was celebrated mixed with pagan festivities. Pre-Christian communities used to celebrate the winter solstice in order to make the dreary winter nights livelier. They had their own rites and rituals, which eventually became incorporated into the celebration of Christmas, which was of course, all about the birth of Christ. Some traditions that started in this period include evergreen wreaths, the Mistletoe, as well as the Yule log.
Elizabethan Christmas
Perhaps the best phrase to describe the Elizabethan Christmas would be “Eat, drink, and be merry.” The main highlight of the Christmas celebrations during this time was the feast or banquet that was offered on Christmas Day. Of course, not everyone was able to afford this so it actually became a status symbol for those who were. The important thing was to be able to hold a banquet that would impress the guests – and nothing was spared in doing so. The theme was grandiosity and expenditure.
Restoration Christmas
In contrast to the Elizabethan Christmas, the Christmas of the Restoration emphasised simplicity and austerity. Philip Stubbes (16th century) wrote:
“More mischief is that time committed than in all the year besides … What dicing and carding, what eating and drinking, what banqueting and feasting is then used … to the great dishonour of God and the impoverishing of the realm.”
Who has not heard of the Christmas card? Just like many things associated with Christmas, most people all over the world know about it. I actually do not know anyone – from Europe, the Americas, and Asia – who has not received or given at least one Christmas card in his lifetime. Have you?
For many, though, Christmas cards are merely part of the celebrations. They do not really know the origins of this tradition. Let’s take a step back in time and see where this humble – but powerful – piece of paper came from
The year was 1843. The protagonists men named John Calcott Horsley and Henry Cole. These two men came up with the idea of what we now know as the Christmas card. Yet was this really the root of the card? Historians actually say that even as far back as the ancient Roman times, a form of the Christmas card was already in practice. It is said that the emperors in those times received tablets with engravings as gifts for the New Year. The practice was for the people to send these tablets to their leader. In a sense, those tablets were the first Christmas cards.
Obviously, as time passed by, modifications were made and the Christmas card as we know it today could be traced back to Horsley and Cole’s creation. It was in 1846 that the first commercial printing of the Christmas card was done. The design was simple – a family drinking a toast and the caption “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.” A thousand copies were made but they didn’t really sell.
From those humble origins, Christmas cards have gone a long way. Have you gotten and sent your Christmas yet?
Christmas Markets in Britain
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Posted on Dec 10, 2007 by Jodie in English Cuisine, English Culture, English Places, English Traditions
With a history and culture as rich as it can be, there is no doubt that one can experience a myriad of festivities all throughout the country during the period of Christmas. As diverse as the activities are, one of the most popular is going around visiting various Christmas markets.
Year in and year out, visitors and locals alike look forward to Christmas markets all over the country. Here are some of the popular ones this year.
Bath Christmas Market
This has been a tradition in Bath since 2001. The town itself has a lot of other things to offer, especially the historic Abbey where the market is located. The traditional wooden stalls used as shops in the market add to the ambiance. More so, one can expect a lot of unique items.
Frankfurt Christmas Market
This is being held in Birmingham and is considered the largest Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria – definitely a unique experience!
Manchester Christmas Markets
Manchester is not to be outdone when it comes to markets this Christmas. It has more than one! There is a traditional German market, a European market, and an Arts and Crafts Market.
These are only a few of the on going Christmas markets in Britain today. More than the food, crafts, and other items on sale, visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere with the entertainment being offered everywhere. This is a good time to feel the English culture at its festive best – wherever in England you may want to go.
Different people with different backgrounds usually have their own symbol for Christmas. It cannot be denied, however, that Father Christmas (St. Nicholas or Santa Claus to others) is one of the strongest symbols related to this holiday. Though some may not really hold the idea in high esteem, it remains a fact that Father Christmas is known wherever you go.
In Britain, it is no different. Religion or race does not come into play – everyone simply knows about Father Christmas. How is Father Christmas different from Santa Claus or St. Nicholas? Not by much, really.
Father Christmas could be described as a jolly old man – white hair and beard and mustache and all. He wears the signature red suit that we all recognize and he lives in the North Pole with his elves who make the Christmas gifts that he distributes to good girls and boys on Christmas Eve.
If you didn’t know this before, Father Christmas’s suit was actually not always red. Pictures – or drawings, rather – of Father Christmas in the late 1800s actually showed him in green garb. It was not till the early to mid 1900s that he “changed” his color of choice to red – thanks to Coca Cola.
In Britain, Father Christmas became part of tradition during the midwinter festival of the Old English. His green garb was a symbolism for the coming of spring. Another different thing about the original Father Christmas is that he was not really the bringer of Christmas gifts. Instead, he merely went around from house to house feasting and celebrating with the people.
Indeed, some things may change but some things don’t.
Christmas being a festive season, it is no wonder that people all over the world consider music to be a huge part of the celebrations. Can you just imagine Christmas without all those happy and cheerful songs playing all throughout the season? That would be plain boring. Something would definitely be missing.
So where did Christmas carols come from? Great Britain holds this honor. In fact, the origin of carols can be traced back to the Middle Ages when beggars sang songs on the street in order to beg for food, drink, and money. This was dubbed caroling or literally, singing carols in the street. This was also accompanied by dancing and other theatrical acts. As time went by, the meaning evolved and carols became mainly associated with Christmas songs.
Want to know some trivia about Christmas carols?
-During Oliver Cromwell’s time, singing Christmas carols was banned. This was from 1647 to 1660. The leader’s rationale was that Christmas ought to be a solemn period, not prone to revelry.
-Carol singers got into the habit of going from one house to another because of Cromwell’s banning the carols from the churches.
-The word carol is derived from the Greek word choros, which means to dance in a circle. It is also a derivation of the old French word carole, which means a song to accompany dancing.
-The highest selling Christmas carol is White Christmas, written by Irving Berlin. Even people from places which never see snow sing this song every Christmas.
The spirit of Christmas is all about giving and sharing – not only gifts but time well spent with the ones that matter to you most. What better way to get together than over a sumptuous feast? Much like other people in different parts of the world celebrate Christmas Day, the English get together on the day itself for a huge meal. Christmas Dinner is usually the main event and is held in the middle of the day or in the early afternoon.
Each family has its own version of the Christmas Dinner but the traditional fare includes roast turkey, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, and of course the renowned English pudding for dessert. Serving turkey on Christmas Day can be attributed to Henry VIII, who is said to have first eaten the bird on this day. A tradition associated with turkey for Christmas Dinner is the pulling of the wishbone by two people. The person who gets the larger part of the wishbone can then make a wish and wait for it to come true.
Today, there are countless variations to roast turkey. A huge favorite among many is to stuff it with a rich and nutty concoction. Of course, there has to be enough cranberry sauce as well as bacon strips and lots of hot gravy.
Another traditional associated with the Christmas Dinner is the placement of crackers alongside each dinner plate at the table. These crackers are meant to be a joke – you pull on them and colorful tokens come out.
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