Bits and Pieces of Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions are carried down from generation to generation. Although some of the traditions from the past have undergone vast transformation or even nearly disappeared from use, many of them still remain with people all around the world. Some bits and pieces of various traditions from a variety of countries are included below.

A large bowl of Swedish rice porridge contains one almond in it. Legend states that the finder of the almond will marry within the year.

The traditional first course of Lebanese Christmas dinners is lamb soup.

Potage Noel is a rich, creamy French Onion soup that was often served at Christmas.

The spices in mince pie represent the Magi’s gifts.

The Norwegians would place a bowl of rice porridge in the barn for the Julenisser or Christmas gnomes.

Napoleon’s chancellor had a special recipe for flavoring an olive. It called for a turkey to be stuffed with a capon, which was stuffed with a partridge, which was stuffed with a quail, which was stuffed with an ortolan (a small songbird), which was stuffed with an olive.

In Mexico, a glazed, fruit-studded cake was often made during the Christmas season. It was called the “Crowns of the Three Kings.”

In Greece, the “Bread of Christ” referred to a cake made with the imprint of a hand.

Wassail is the traditional Christmas drink of Anglo-Saxons.

Glass trinkets and orbs began to replace edible decorations for trees during Christmas around 1860.

In Germany, the patriarch or father of a family would blow glass figurines for Christmas decorations. The rest of the family would decorate them by painting them with fancy designs.

On the twelfth day of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” 78 gifts are sent by the “true love.”

The Twelve Days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day and end on January 6, the Epiphany.

The red berries of holly symbolize the blood of Christ.

The sharp thorns of holy symbolize the thorns of Christ’s crown.

Holly was brought into the home as a symbol of good luck and as an invitation for Christ to enter.

The English Druids held mistletoe to be sacred.

An English tale speaks to the belief that holly should not be brought into the home prior to mistletoe or it will lead to marital discord.

The ancient Romans gave gifts to their friends that were full of symbolism. For example, lamps were given to wish warmth in the coming year, honey to wish sweetness, and small gifts of gold to wish wealth and prosperity.

The boar’s head, which was often served at many a ceremonial meal, actually had very little meat on it.

Although the traditions of Christmas are many, each family has a few that they are partial to following. Modifications are made as well as many memories over the years.