The Christmas tree has been the centrepiece for many a Christmas grotto around our isles for as long as we can all remember - but it is actually a borrowed tradition from the Germans. When did the Christmas Tree come to the United Kingdom?
The history of the British Christmas
Posted by Dan | Dec 19th, 2021 - 8:08pm
Christmas is such an exciting time of year for children of all ages, but how much do you know about where our traditions come from? Let's test your knowledge on all things festive with 10 questions about some of the most iconic parts of the yule season - some of our Christmas staples may shock you considering where they come from! Between monarchs bringing traditions from other nations to the roots of Christian beliefs, there is an amazing history behind our favourite time of year, so let's get started in seeing if you know all about Christmas...
The Royal Christmas message is a speech given by the reigning monarch across the Commonwealth, often reflecting on the year passed and talking about our nation's successes while looking forward at what is to come - but which monarch gave the first Christmas message?
The first Royal Christmas message was also penned by a famous name - who was it that wrote it?
The first known Christmas Card was sent by Michael Maier to James I England and his son Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales. When was this card sent?
Santa Claus, the jolly bearded man who descends your chimney on Christmas Eve to deliver presents goes by many names in many cultures, in fact, you may also know him by the name Saint Nicholas. Saint Nicholas was a devout Christian from an early age who was famous for his gifts to the poor. What nationality was he?
An amalgamation of dried fruits and spices packed into a crumbly pastry forms a mince pie. The early pies may have also included meats to combine sweet and savoury foods and had many different names, such as Shrid, Minched, Mutton and Christmas pies. While they may have borrowed spices from the middle-east and may have taken influence from traditional Saturnalia practices, which nation created the mince pie?
You may well be excited to sit down at the table on Christmas day and tuck into a turkey dinner, but the turkey hasn't always been the staple of the Christmas dinner table. Prior to it, boar, goose, capon, peacock and even swan, depending upon your means and position in society, could have found their way onto your plates. Which monarch was said to be the first to enjoy a turkey on their table?
The traditional Christmas pudding dates back far into our history, but its other name of 'Plum Pudding' is a little stranger - mostly because the pudding does not contain plums! Why is it called that?
Boxing Day is the day that immediately follows Christmas Day, it is generally known as a retail holiday where shops are open and sales begin, with potential bargains to be found! But Boxing Day shares December 26th with a saint's day - which one?
Finally, we all love to give and receive some wonderful gifts at Christmas - depending on your traditions you may exchange anywhere from Christmas Eve all the way up until the 12th day of Christmas, January 5th. In fact, for a time of Christianity's history, December 25th was not associated with Christ's birth and thus was not considered to be Christmas Day. In what year was December 25th dedicated as Christmas day?
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