Christmas Tradition

Ever hung your Christmas wreath or put out the perfect poinsettia and wonder why?  Tradition!!  It’s what the holidays are based on, traditions that lead us to follow the same routines year in and year out.  It’s those things we look forward to like decorating the tree or kissing under the mistletoe….wonder where those traditions started?? 

Here are the roots of some of our favorites:

• Christmas tree:  I’ve read many beginnings, depending on the type of tree (Egytians worshipped evergreens while the fir tree starts in Germany with St Bonafice).  The Christmas Tree was brought to England by Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert from his native Germany. The famous Illustrated News etching in 1848, featuring the Royal Family of Victoria, Albert and their children gathered around a Christmas tree in Windsor Castle, popularized the tree throughout Victorian England. Brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans, the Christmas tree became by the late 19th century.
• Poinsetta:  Native to Central America, and made popular by Joel Roberts Poinsett in 1828.  There is an interesting story about it’s origin at http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/poinsettia.shtml
• Santa Claus:  The big guy in red originated begins in the 4^th century with Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra, in an area now known as Turkey.  He had a reputation for kindness and generosity.  After the reformation, his European follows dwindled, but legend survived in Holland  where he was known as Sint Nikolaas, eventually transformed to Sinterklaas.  Dutch colonists brought this tradition with them to America in the 17^th century where he now lives on as Santa Claus.
• Story “The Night Before Christmas”:  composed by Clement C. Moore in 1822 as a gift for his children for Christmas, in which he portrays Santa.
• Christmas cards:  The cards first began in England in 1843 when Sir Henry found himself too busy, and commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley for an illustration and was inscribed with “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You”
• Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer:  Chicago based company “Montgomery Ward”  used 34 yr old employee Robert L. May to write this book.  He wrote it in 1939, selling 2.4 million copies that year. It went commercial in 1947.  Rudolph’s was almost named Rollo or Reginald!!
• Candy Cane:  Legend has it that in the 17^th century craftsmen created the white sticks in the shape of a shepards crook at the suggestion of a choirmaster in Germany.  They were then handed to keep them quiet during ceremonies.  1950 automated the production of the canes and popularity grew!

There are endless stories, and most of them varying.  It’s fun to know the roots of traditions that you yourself use for celebrating the holidays!    We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!