30 Interesting Factoids about Christmas
Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system. The Germans made the first artificial Christmas trees out of dyed goose feathers All the gifts in the Twelve Days of Christmas would equal 364 gifts. The “true love” mentioned in the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” does not refer to a romantic couple, but the Catholic Church’s code for God. The...
Christmas Crackers – A History of Tom Smith
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the Cracker. That extra piece of trimming that helps make up the Christmas table with it’s paper hats, silly (sometimes usefull) gifts and jokes and mottos that we all like to groan at. Here we look at how the man behind this tradition, Tom Smith, developed them.
Good King Wenceslas – The Story behind the Carol
Good King Wenceslas is more than just a popular, jaunty Christmas Carol, it encompasses a true story of a man who was made a saint by the Catholic Church.
How To … Make a Christmas Pudding
The Christmas Pudding, that most lovely, in my opinion, of all the scrummy Yuletide fayre. In this article we look at that one of the most famous exponents of this dish, the Victorian cook Mr’s Beeton. Christmas Pud Origins Christmas pudding, or plum pudding or figgy pudding, is believed to originate from the medieval period (early 15th centuary probably) when plum pottage was served during festivities. Plum pottage was a meat...
Why do the Brits drink so much tea ?
Tea certainly isn’t native to the British Isles so how did this come about? It certainly is an interesting story involving a Portuguese princess who was a tea addict, smuggling and even revolution.
“The Guernsey” – A Knitwear Tradition
‘The Guernsey’ is a distinctive piece of clothing with it’s roots deep in the Island. It’s a simple but elegant garment that’s even gone to war with the British Armed forces in the 21st century. We look at it’s origins and features in this article.
Was Jesus really born on the 25th December?
Was Jesus born on December 25? There is no real evidence for this date. So then we must ask is, who and when was it decided that Jesus’ birth would be celebrated on this date? Secondly when was it really ?
The Magi – a new revelation ?
An ancient document found in the Vatican archives has cast new light on the story of the Nativity and the Three Wise Men. The document called “The Revelation of the Magi” is an 8th century copy of an earlier one dated to the 2nd or 3rd century AD
Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas is probably the time of year when, certainly in the West, there is an overwhelming plethora of traditions and practices that each culture likes to embrace. Many are similar but there is also a huge range of completely different ones.
Santa’s Reindeer
It may surprise you to know that Rudolph the red nosed reindeer is not all that he seems. Here we discuss the origins of the most mercurial of all Santa’s reindeer.
Why do we kiss under the mistletoe?
The innocuous mistletoe plant, now used to cop a cheap kiss or two, was once considered to be a sacred plant by the ancient Druids. But how did this Christmas tradition come about ?
Pontifications – answers to the fluff of everyday life
Answers to some of the amusing questions and fluff we muse on from time to time. What does the D in D-day stand for? Why are portholes round? … amongst other questions.
New Years Treat – Oliebollen
Why not try a new really scrummy winter treat from the ‘Dutch Masters’ … Olliebollen – Delicious Dutch traditional winter fayre.
Christmas Cards – Who “invented” Them & When Were they First Sent?
Christmas cards are a tradition that we don’t probably give a second thought to. But there was a time when no one sent them. Here’s some details on their origins.
The Winter Solstice
REASON FOR THE SOLSTICE In astronomy, the solstice is either of the two times a year when the Sun is at its greatest distance from the celestial equator, the great circle on the celestial sphere that is on the same plane as the earth’s equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs either December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn; the summer solstice occurs either June 20 or...
