At the early years, Christmas was celebrated at public events. Early in the 19th century, families began to celebrate Christmas on their own, that changing the tradition. Early to mid 19th century, families each chose their own method to celebrate. Christmas, which led to the development of customs including decorating a tree, giving gifts and giving to charities.
Around December 25, the Romans celebrated Brunalia, the birth of the unconqured son. This was akin to Christmas to all the followers of Mithra, the Persian Sun diety. This was likely the only other Pagan religion this time in history, that could be considered a legitimate rival to Christianity. It was already the year 336 that the Western Church decided to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Around this time, other religions also celebrate special occasions such as the jewish faith which observes Hanukah.
Christmas evolved into a more commercial event after World War II. There were Christmas decorations and music at more shops. Episodes of radio and television programmes had Christmas themed content. Christmas cards were sent to loved ones and some people even went door to door carolling.
Rich people used to prepare a wild bore on Christmas Day and used its head as a dinner table centrepiece. To make the cooked head appear more genuine, soot and pig grease were applied to conceal the pale fur that appeared after cooking. The year 1519 is noted as the first time a turkey was imported into Europe.
These who worked on the land would stop working during the 12 days of Christmas, and spinners would likewise be prohibited from spinning. The first Monday after 12th night, or Plough Monday, would mark the returs to work. Communities gathred to celebrate the 12 days of Christmas.
The 13 ingredients in Christmas minced pye, which represents Jesus ans his apostles. The mince pies would be rectangular or crib shaped and they would contain minced beef as well as dried fruit and suet.
During the 12 days of Christmas, a log was brought into the house on Christmas Eve, decorated with ribbons, ignited and maintained in flames. This custom is said to have its origins in the early Vikings' mideinter rites, which included building enormous bonfire for their festival of light. Keeping some of the burned Yule log's remants to light the following year's Yule log was regarded as good luck.
Christmas cards, turkey, crackers, Santa Clause and even the widespread use of Christmas Trees had not yet arrived in Tudor England.
The introduction of the Christmas tree, as well as the Christmas craker and Christmas cards, occured during the Victorian Era, which is significant in the history of Christmas celebrations. Many people credit Queen Victoria with bringing about the most recognisable elements of Christmas through her marriage to the German born Prince Albert.
The royal family was seen in 1848 in an illustration from the illustrated London News celebratinf in front of a Christmas tree, a custom that Prince Albert had experienced during his upbringing in Germany. Soon, there was a tree in every British home, decorated with handcrafted ornaments, treats, fruit and candles.
When a British candy maker named Tom Smith introduced bonbons, sugared almonds wrapped in twist of paper that had seen in Paris. The Victorians launched another commercial Christmas industry, the famous Christmas cracker.
Late on Christmas Eve 1914, British soldiers observed lanterns and little fir trees near German trenches and heard German soldiers singing patriotic songs ans carols. Between the trenches, communication started to be screamed. The next day, British and German soldiers met in Noman's land and swapped gifts, took pictures and some even played games of football. Additionally they dug graves and fixed trenches.
Not all areas of the Western front respected truce. On Christmas day, combat went in other places. The truce dissatisfied several officers, who feared it would sap their resolve to battle.
The Princess Mary Gift Fund Box is a brass box with embossed decorationthat was once filled with various good, including chocolates and cigerattes. The purchase was made possible by a public fund supported by Princess Mary, the daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, and was meant as a Christmas gift for those serving at Christmas in 1914.
Princess Mary had initially planned to give each soldier and sailor a unique gift by using money from her own stipend. It was determined that this was not feasible, so it was suggested that she lend money required to provide the gift. The young Princess expressed a strong personal interest in the work of the Fund right once, and in a letter released by Buckingham Palace that was signed by the Princess, she described in the Fund's goals.
The gifts were designed in October 1914 with the intention of giving them to everyone serving oversease or at sea in time for Christmas that year. However, as the fund grew and more people felt left out, the distribution was made to include everyone serving, whether they were at home or abroad, as well as prisoners of war and the relatives of those who had died in the war.
