![]() The tradition of making things like fruitcakes and puddings for special occasions, however, became popular in the 17th century because of the extravagance of the ingredients. The Christmas pudding seems to be one of those things that’s evolved over time across many countries, dating as far back as ancient Rome. It’s thought that the first Christmas carol was a song called Angel’s Hymn, written in AD 129 by a Roman Bishop. Carols were originally sung during Winter Solstice celebrations, before early Christians put Jesus-centred words to them. ![]() The word ‘carol’ actually means a dance or a song of praise and joy, and doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with Christmas. ![]() Nick knew the man was too prideful to accept money, so he simply dropped some gold coins down the chimney, which landed in the girl’s stockings, hung by the fireplace to dry.” Who are we to argue with that? “An impoverished widower, devastated by the passing of his wife, could not afford to provide a dowry for his three daughters. Now whether this is legend or myth or reality I’m not sure, but Time magazine say that “the original Saint Nicholas, who travelled around bringing gifts and cheer to those in need, came upon a small village one year and heard of a family in need. The 1823 poem T’was the Night Before Christmas is not only a Christmas tradition in itself, but the first known publication of the ritual of hanging up stockings. The one thing they all have in common is that they give presents, and that seems to be why we do, too.Ĭhristmas stockings full of Christmas treats.Īnd where do we get the whole stocking thing from? So, the Santa we have today seems to be a bit of a mishmash of Saint Nick, Sinterklaas and Odin. He has helpers known as Zwarte Piets, who give good kids gifts, but punish the naughty ones with jutes and willow canes. They have a slightly more sinister legend about a Dutch ‘Sinterklass’ who wears red and white, a bishop’s hat, travels to Holland on a steam boat from Spain in December each year, and knows if you’ve been well behaved or not. Odin travelled with Sleipnir and eight reindeer, and would ride about filling children’s boots with candy on the German holiday Yule, which is celebrated around the same time as Christmas.Īs for the whole naughty/nice thing, that’s a notion that is thought to have originated from The Netherlands. There’s also a touch of inspiration for Santa from Odin, a pagan god who led a hunting party atop a Sleipnir, which is a horse with 8 legs. After he died, people gave gifts to children in his honour, and the tradition evolved from there. He went around giving presents to children in need, in his official Bishop’s red robes. ![]() Today’s Santa is based on a saint who existed during the 4th century called Saint Nicholas. 7 years.Contrary to popular belief, Santa Claus was not invented by Coca-Cola. Single territory rights for trade books worldwide rights for academic books. Print and/or digital, including use in online academic databases. Web display, social media, apps or blogs. Personal presentation use or non-commercial, non-public use within a company or organization only. Not for commercial use, not for public display, not for resale. Personal Prints, Cards, Gifts, Reference.
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