Read on Twitter
A short thread on The British origins of some Christmas traditions. 
The first Christmas card.
Posted in England by Henry Cole. (1840s)
Designed by John Callcott Horsley.
Posted in England by Henry Cole. (1840s)
Designed by John Callcott Horsley.
The first Christmas cracker.
Invented by Thomas Smith, a British baker, in 1847.
Invented by Thomas Smith, a British baker, in 1847.
Kissing under mistletoe:
Romanticism of Mistletoe can be attributed to the Celtic Druids and Norse Mythology.
But kissing under mistletoe appears to have started in England, around 1720 - 1784.
Romanticism of Mistletoe can be attributed to the Celtic Druids and Norse Mythology.
But kissing under mistletoe appears to have started in England, around 1720 - 1784.
The term "Merry Christmas"
As a seasonal salutation, it dates back to atleast 1534 where John Fisher wished the seasons greetings in a letter to Thomas Cromwell.
"And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart's desire.'
As a seasonal salutation, it dates back to atleast 1534 where John Fisher wished the seasons greetings in a letter to Thomas Cromwell.
"And this our Lord God send you a mery Christmas, and a comfortable, to your heart's desire.'
Mince pie & Christmas Pudding
The first was once filled with meat and suet, now it tends to be dried fruit & booze.
The latter dates back to Medieval times.
Its a heavily spiced fruity pudding, full of booze, that you set on fire
Aged for 12+ months.
The first was once filled with meat and suet, now it tends to be dried fruit & booze.
The latter dates back to Medieval times.
Its a heavily spiced fruity pudding, full of booze, that you set on fire
Aged for 12+ months.
Hiding a coin inside a Christmas pudding is another tradition that is said to bring luck to the person that finds it.
Eggnogg
I don't know anyone who drinks this here but the origin can be traced back to medieval Britain, what was known as a 'posset'; a hot, milky, wine/ale-like drink.
I don't know anyone who drinks this here but the origin can be traced back to medieval Britain, what was known as a 'posset'; a hot, milky, wine/ale-like drink.
