MINCE PIES

Used for Victorian Christmas leftovers.

Not true! Although mince pies became popular in the Victorian era, they have a very long history. In the 12th Century, Knights returning from their crusades in the Holy Land introduced Middle Eastern ways of cooking into Europe, mixing sweet tastes with savoury dishes. In Elizabethan times mince pies were a mixture of meat and fruit called ‘Shrid’ pies, because they contained meat and shredded suet. These two ingredients were mixed with dried fruit such as currants and raisins, together with three spices - cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg - which represented the gifts given to Jesus by the Three Wise Men. Thereafter it was considered lucky to eat a mince pie on each of the 12 days of Christmas.

CHRISTMAS PUDDING

Christmas Pudding was invented 100 years ago.

Not true! Christmas pudding has its origins in a spicy porridge called ‘Frumenty’, very popular in the middle ages with both the rich and the poor. Frumenty was made with hulled oats or wheat boiled in milk and seasoned with cinnamon, sugar and other spices. The mixture gradually evolved to become the pudding we know so well today, adorned with a sprig of holly. Silver charms and new coins were traditionally placed in the mixture, and whoever found a charm was said to enjoy good fortune in the year to come.

TURKEYS

Turkeys are British

Not true! Turkeys were first discovered in North America by British settlers, who found them running about wild. They proved to be a valuable and prolific source of food, easy to rear in captivity and quick to put on weight. When turkeys were first introduced into Europe around 1520 they caused quite a stir, and soon became popular as a Christmas treat. They are a distant relation to the English Pheasant.

PANTOMIMES

Pantomime originated in Italy

Quite correct. The original Pantomime was performed in Rome with men dressed as women and women dressed as men, and speech was not permitted. The name is made up of two Greek words, ‘Panto’ meaning to mimic and ‘Mime’ a type of silent acting. The ancient Greeks and Romans loved them, and they became popular in Europe in the 18th Century. Modem Pantomimes are a very British tradition which has evolved from different cultures, including mime shows by clowns and dancing by Harlequin and Columbine. Nothing quite like them exists anywhere else in Europe. During Victorian times they became slanted towards children, and many of today’s Pantomimes are based on very old stories. Babes in the Wood was first performed in England 500 years ago, whilst Puss in Boots and The Sleeping Beauty are almost as old. In 1717 the Arabian Nights stories were translated into English and soon adapted to become Pantomimes such as Aladdin and his Lamp, Sinbad the Sailor, also Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves. But Dick Whittington, Peter Pan and Robin Hood are all Victorian creations.

WASSAIL

Wassail is a drinking bout.

True, but Wassail is also the name given to a traditional Christmas tipple containing ale, nutmeg, honey and ginger, sometimes with pieces of toast floating on top. The history of Wassailing is less well known. In olden days mine host would pick up the Wassail bowl and wish his quests “Waes Hael”, old English for “Be Well”, it would then be passed around the table and the first person offered the bowl would take out a piece of,toast and wish everybody “Drinc Had”, meaning “Drink and be Well”. From this custom we get the expression ‘to make a toast - It used to be traditional on Twelfth Night for farmers to Wassail their orchards, pouring a little of the liquid on to the roots of their trees, and hope for a good harvest. 

BOXING DAY

Boxing Day is a British Tradition

Quite correct. It is also known as St. Stephen’s Day and a time for giving to the poor. The name Boxing Day comes from the time when boxes were placed in churches to collect money for the needy. These boxes were opened on the day after Christmas, and the money shared out amongst the poor of the parish. This tradition goes back many centuries in England, but it was only in 1871 that Boxing Day was declared an official holiday. 

RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER

Nothing traditional about this fellow.

In 1939 an employee in the advertising department of a New York store wrote a poem about one of Santa’s reindeer who had a bright red nose, and decided to call him Rudolph. Every child who visited the store received a booklet on Rudolph, and more than two and a half million copies were given away. Ten years later Johnny Marks set the poem to music, and invited Gene Autry to sing it. The record shot straight to the top of the hit parade! 

HOGMANAY

A Scottish Tradition

Quite correct. Both Hogmanay and First Footing are Scottish traditions rich in superstition. Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year Festival, and the most important holiday of the year. It is a time when the Haggis is piped in to table, and the custom of demanding Hogmanay bread is still upheld in many parts of Scotland. On New Year’s Eve the first person to step into a house at the stroke of midnight is very special, and cannot be anybody with a squint or whose eyebrows meet in the middle. It should be a dark haired man carrying mistletoe, a piece of coal, and a coin. When the door is opened the ‘first footer’ walks in without a word, places the coal on the fire, the mistletoe on the mantelpiece, hands the coin to a member of the family, and then wishes everybody a Happy New Year.

“WAES HAEL” to you all in Y2K!