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The Origins of Our Beloved Christmas Day Feast

There’s something truly magical about Christmas Day in the UK - the twinkling lights, the festive cheer, and, of course, the sumptuous feast that brings everyone together.

But have you ever paused between bites of your Christmas pudding to wonder about the origins of these traditional dishes? Let’s embark on a culinary journey through history, supported by classic literary references, to uncover the stories behind our favourite festive foods and drinks.

Along the way, we’ll see how the Christmas spirit, as captured in timeless tales, still influences how we celebrate—both in what we eat and in the compassion, generosity, and joy we share.

I've included a link to the Christmas stories I am talking about on Project Guttenberg so you can download them.  Why not take the opportunity to indulge in Jolabokaflod, the Icelandic tradition of giving a book on Christmas Eve, by reading one of the classic stories in this blog?

The origins of this are shrouded in the myseteries of time but what we do know is that back on Christmas Eve, 1948, The United States Air Force issued a communique stating that an 'early warning radar net to the north' had detected 'one unidentified sleigh, powered by eight reindeer, at 14,000 feet, heading 180 degrees'.  

Associated Press pass this 'report' to the general public and was intended as a one off event.

Today, 6th December, is the feast day of St Nicolas of Myra. 

​Amongst other things, he was known for his habit of secretly giving gifts and over the years following his death in 343CE, his name gave rise to varients of Santa Claus from such things as the Dutch; Sinterklass from Saint Nicolas.

We would always go to Shinners, the big department store, where my Grandmother worked.  It would either be for the staff children's party or to visit Santa's Grotto.  Either way, we didn't pay to visit Father Christmas as it was part of my Grandma's staff Christmas present.  Other people attending would pay.

I would sit on Santa's lap, tell him what I wanted for Christmas, promise to be good, have our photo taken and be given a gift.

Today, was a Spa day, a present from work for our team after completing a massive project. 

I was all warm and relaxed from my massage, snuggled in my complimentary robe, knitting and doing my other favourite activity, in these situations; listening to snatches of conversations. 

The two ladies, opposite we’re talking about Christmas and work secret Santas.  One of them asked if the other if they knew of this German tradition where you take a nice, unwanted gift, wrap it and then you play a game to see who will get which gift. 

The idea of making New Year's resolutions goes back to ancient times when people would make promises to the gods to improve their behaviour or to atone for past misdeeds. 

The ancient Babylonians are believed to be the first civilization to make New Year's resolutions, and they would make promises to their gods to pay their debts and return borrowed objects. 

In ancient Rome, the custom was to would make promises to the god Janus, who was the god of beginnings and endings. They believed that by making resolutions and keeping them, they could bring good luck and prosperity in the new year. 

The modern tradition of making New Year's resolutions has its roots in these ancient customs.

​Today, people around the world make resolutions as a way of setting goals and making positive changes in their lives. Some common New Year's resolutions include resolving to lose weight, quit smoking, save money, or spend more time with family and friends.

As a kid, we would sing the Wassail song as part of our school Christmas concerts.  Even so, I've never been wassailing ... Probably because there wasn't much call for it around Wimbledon. 

The song is also known as The Gloucester Wassail Song and is often included in hymn selections along with songs such as The Holly & The Ivy.

​When I started visiting Christmas Markets I discovered Glühwein and have a fantastic collection of Christmas mugs from the different markets.

The Christmas Spider is a Ukrainian folk tale that tells the story of a poor family who couldn't afford to decorate their Christmas tree. One evening, a spider crawled up the tree and began spinning webs all over it. When the family woke up on Christmas morning, they saw that the spider had turned the tree into a beautiful, shimmering work of art, covered in silver and gold webs.

In the story, the spider is seen as a symbol of hope and perseverance, reminding us that even in difficult times, we can find beauty and joy. The story is often used to teach children about the value of hard work and the importance of being grateful for what we have.
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In Ukrainian tradition, it is also believed that the Christmas Spider brings good luck to the household and protects against evil spirits. Some people even hang small, spider-shaped ornaments on their Christmas trees toto honour this tradition

The Yule or Christmas Cat is a figure from Icelandic folklore. According to legend, the Christmas Cat is a large, black feline that lurks around homes on Christmas Eve, waiting to pounce on anyone who has not received new clothing as a gift. The story is meant to encourage people to be generous and give gifts to others, particularly during the holiday season.

In Icelandic tradition, it is believed that the Christmas Cat is the pet of the Yule Lads, a group of mischievous, gift-giving figures who visit homes during the Christmas season. The Yule Lads are said to leave small presents or treats in the shoes of children who have been good, and rotten potatoes in the shoes of children who have been naughty.
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There are many variations of the Christmas Cat legend, and it is not as well-known or widely celebrated as some other Christmas traditions. However, the story serves as a reminder of the importance of giving and sharing with others during the holiday season.

The Yule Goat is a figure in Scandinavian folklore that is associated with the Christmas season. According to legend, the Yule Goat is a mischievous creature that visits homes on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts to children. In some versions of the story, the Yule Goat is accompanied by elves or other helpers.

The origins of the Yule Goat tradition are somewhat unclear, but it is thought to date back to ancient Norse mythology. In the past, the Yule Goat was often portrayed as a fearsome figure who demanded that people offer him gifts or risk being punished. However, over time, the Yule Goat has become more closely associated with the holiday season and is now seen as a friendly, gift-giving figure similar to Santa Claus.
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In Scandinavian countries, it is traditional to leave out food and drink for the Yule Goat on Christmas Eve, and children often leave out a pair of shoes or socks to be filled with small gifts or treats. Some people also decorate their homes with Yule Goat-themed decorations or hang small, goat-shaped ornaments on their Christmas trees.

Mari Lwyd (pronounced "MAH-ree LOO-eed") is a traditional Welsh folk custom that is practiced around Christmas and New Year's. The tradition involves a group of people going door-to-door, singing carols and performing a play that involves a horse's skull on a pole.
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The Mari Lwyd is a horse's skull, which is traditionally adorned with ribbons and other decorations. It is carried by a person who is dressed in a white sheet, and the group is accompanied by musicians who play traditional Welsh instruments. The group goes from house to house, singing carols and performing the play, which usually involves a challenge or contest of some kind.

The origins of the Mari Lwyd tradition are somewhat unclear, but it is thought to date back to the Middle Ages. Some people believe that the Mari Lwyd represents the spirit of the horse, which was an important animal in Welsh folklore. Others see it as a way of celebrating the end of the year and welcoming in the new one.
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The Mari Lwyd tradition is still practiced in some parts of Wales, and has become something of a tourist attraction. It is an important part of Welsh cultural heritage and is a unique way of celebrating the holiday season.

Kallikantzari (also spelled Kallikantzaros or Calicantzaros) are creatures from Greek folklore that are associated with the Christmas season. According to legend, Kallikantzari are mischievous, goblin-like creatures that spend most of the year underground. However, they come up to the surface during the Christmas season, causing mischief and causing trouble for humans.

The Kallikantzari are said to be responsible for a variety of things, including causing fires, destroying crops, and causing animals to become sick. They are also believed to be able to shape-shift into various forms, including animals and humans.

In Greek tradition, it is believed that the Kallikantzari are kept in check by the light of the Christmas candles, which are lit on Christmas Eve and burn throughout the holiday season. It is also believed that the Kallikantzari will return underground once the Christmas season is over.
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The Kallikantzari are an important part of Greek folklore and are often used to teach children about the importance of behaving well during the holiday season.