Which ones did you know already?Was Christmas banned? In 1647, Oliver Cromwell passed a law by which Christmas celebration in England was made illegal. The law was overturned 13 years later. More specifically, in January 1645, Parliament drew up a new, stringent Directory for Public Worship according to which, festive days, such as Christmas, should be spent in respectful contemplation rather than merriment or self-indulgence. From 1656, laws were enacted to make sure that every Sunday was celebrated as a holy day - the Lord's Day. Surprisingly, though, shops and markets were to stay open on Christmas Day, and in the City of London soldiers were commanded to patrol the streets and confiscate any food that was being concocted for Christmas celebrations. Why is it called 'Boxing Day'? It all started in the UK roughly 800 years ago, during the Medieval period. It was the day when the alms boxes - collection boxes for the poor usually found in churches - were traditionally opened in order for their contents to be distributed to poor people. Several churches still do this on Boxing Day. It was also customary for servants to take the day off to celebrate Christmas with their families on Boxing Day. Prior to World War II, working people, like milkmen and butchers, would go door-to-door to their delivery places and collect their Christmas box or tip. Christmas meal "In the UK, the main Christmas Meal is usually eaten at lunchtime or early afternoon on Christmas Day. It's normally roast turkey, roast vegetables and 'all the trimmings' which means vegetables like carrots & peas, stuffing and sometimes bacon and sausages. It's often served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce. Traditionally, and before turkey was available, roast beef or goose was the main Christmas meal. One vegetable that is often at Christmas in the UK are brussel sprouts." Source: whychristmas.com Christmas dessert "For dessert, the British often have some Christmas pudding. Mince pies and lots of chocolate are often eaten as well. The dinner table is decorated with a Christmas cracker for each person. The UK is also famous for Christmas Cake - some people love it and some people really don't like it! It's traditionally a rich fruit cake covered with marzipan and icing - and often top with Christmas themed cake decorations like a spring of holly." Source: whychristmas.com Santa Claus and presents "Children believe that Santa Claus leaves presents in stockings or pillow-cases. They even sometimes leave out mince pies and brandy for Father Christmas to eat and drink when he visits them." Source: whychristmas.com All I want is a White Christmas It's officially a 'White Christmas' when a single snow flake has been seen falling in the 24 hours of Christmas Day! This is quite rare though! Hogmanay
"In Scotland, some people celebrate New Year's Eve (which is called Hogmanay) more than Christmas! The word Hogmanay comes from a kind of oat cake that was traditionally given to children on New Year's Eve." Source: whychristmas.com Comments are closed.
|
Archives
September 2023
We write About
All
|