Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past

by Brian Earl, Gerry Bowler (Foreword), Dorothy Siemens (Illustrator)

Author Brian Earl is back with another look at the fascinating stories behind the most wonderful time of the year. Get ready to experience Christmas as you’ve never seen it before.

Surely, Christmas in the distant past must have been different from the one we know today. But how different? You’re about to find out. The Christmases of long long, ago were a merry mess of of odd superstitions, dangerous games, and overindulgences that lasted from Christmas Day until Epiphany twelve days later. The “Christmas season” of earlier times was not the period from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day that Americans experience today, but rather a no-holds-barred bacchanalia following the austerity period of Advent. From it evolved some of our present-day traditions, such as caroling, which had its roots in beggars performing for a meal. This book also answers such questions when was Christmas Day first celebrated on December 25? Which president celebrated the first White House Christmas? What are the origins of holly and ivy as Christmas décor? These questions and more are answered in this fascinating look back at Christmases past.

Genres: Christmas, Nonfiction, Holiday, Audiobook, History

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Dea · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who unabashedly agrees with the author's assertion that "Christmas is the biggest thing there is," I found this to be a delightful 'companion piece' to my favourite season. While the author's previous work covers the origins of well-known Christmas fare (fruitcake, eggnog, and Rudolph), this book dives into more obscure territory and the origins of lesser-known customs and traditions from around the world, with fascinating history, vintage artwork, and a general sense of Christmas merry-making.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, Of Christmases Long, Long Ago, by Brian Earl, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book shows us how Christmas has been celebrated through the years, how things have changed and how they have stayed the same. This was an interesting read, im glad not all these traditions have carried on through the years.

[Babbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t terrible and had some super interesting concepts and storylines. In fact, it was educational. However, I wish the book had focused a little more on the key points and really broken down the history. Instead, it felt like a lot crammed into a short book, with brief mentions of this and that. I would have enjoyed a longer book with more detail. Unfortunately, so much crammed information won’t make this easily retainable.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past by Brian Earl

Rating: 4 Stars

I recently picked up Brian Earl’s Of Christmases Long, Long Ago, and it was a delightful journey into the quirky and often surprising history behind Christmas traditions. Earl takes readers on a festive ride back in time to explore just how different Christmas used to be compared to the cozy, commercialized holiday we know today.

What really stood out to me was how the Christmas season in the past was far less restrained—a wild, extended celebration that stretched from Christmas Day all the way to Epiphany, lasting twelve full days of what Earl describes as a “merry mess.” This wasn’t just about exchanging gifts or trimming the tree; it involved odd superstitions, risky games, and enough feasting and revelry to rival any modern party. The book sheds light on how some of our current traditions, like caroling, actually have roots in quite humble beginnings—such as beggars singing in exchange for food. I also appreciated learning answers to curious questions like when December 25th was first chosen for Christmas, which U.S. president hosted the inaugural White House Christmas celebration, and why holly and ivy became iconic decorations.

One of the first things that caught my eye was the book’s gorgeous cover—festive and inviting, it perfectly sets the tone for what's inside. Beyond just the text, the book is packed with vintage illustrations and artwork that bring these old customs to life and keep you visually engaged throughout. It’s clear Earl did his research but presented everything in a way that's accessible and fun rather than dry or academic.

If I had to give it a rating, I’d land on four stars. The only reason I’m holding back that last star is because it occasionally felt like some sections could have gone even deeper into certain traditions or expanded on lesser-known global customs. But overall, this book is a charming blend of history, culture, and festive cheer—perfect for anyone who loves Christmas and wants to see it through a fascinating historical lens.

Whether you’re a history buff or just someone looking to add a little extra sparkle to your holiday season, Of Christmases Long, Long Ago is definitely worth a read. It’ll make you appreciate how much this holiday has evolved—and maybe inspire you to bring some of those old-time customs back into your own celebrations.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Christmas! In particular, I love hearing about weird Christmas (or other winter holiday) traditions. My family has a few, but I'm always looking for good ideas!

This is why I was excited to read Brian Earl's Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past. Brian has a podcast, Christmas Past, that he draws on for his book.

After reading Of Christmases Long, Long Ago, I have a mixed response. Here are my pros and cons...

PROS
- Brian draws on and includes a lot of primary sources, both visual and textual (quoting relevant poems and short stories)

- Cool illustrations. The illustrations from Dorothy Siemens that Earl includes are bright, festive and fun - adding a holiday vibe to each section.

- Wide-ranging topics. Earl's chapters cover a multitude of topics, from traditions of cross-dressing and mummer's plays to callithumpian parades and (legal!) bank notes that carried the likeness of St. Nicholas. I appreciated the diversity and thought Earl's chapter collections made sense.

Overall the book is a breezy and enjoyable read.



CONS
I do have a few disappointments about the book:

- Primary sources serve as about 1/2 the book which is already quite slim at just over 150 pages. I would have loved to have read more in-depth chapters about all of the traditions he includes. Or perhaps even some quotes from guests on his podcasts. He mentions that he draws heavily on Gerry Bowler's work (Bowler wrote the forward) - I would have loved to have seen some quotes from him or other folks he's interviewed. I did appreciate the images he sourced from Wikimedia Commons (some of them were super-interesting), but including the full Christmas-themed ghost story by A.M. Burrage (over 4 pages) felt like a bit of padding.

- Formatting was a little rough. This might have been on the pre-published Kindle copy I received for review, but it is a bit messy - both on Kindle device and on the Kindle app on desktop and iPad.


Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher(s), Globe Pequot and Lyons Press, for letting me read and review an ARC.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this entertaining and fascinating history of Christmas and its many traditions, Brian Earl delves into past holiday celebrations and how the holiday and the ways people celebrate it has changed over the last century. Exploring the games, superstitions, overindulgences, and memories of past Christmases, this book delves into the history of Christmas and how it attained its current modern form. The book is packed with details and is incredibly readable, as Earl’s prose and organizational structure are very straightforward and clear. The details and historical research are well done and really bring the holiday to life in some fascinating ways, and readers will also love the depth of detail that Earl commits to in this entertaining and unique read. Meant for a wide audience, readers will particularly enjoy recognizing modern traditions and events in this book and learning about the origins of Santa Claus, caroling, and more. Well-written, well-researched, and detailed, readers will really enjoy this entertaining new release and its focus on the holidays and perhaps be inspired to introduce some new (old) celebrations into their lives. This entertaining and detailed book is a great addition to holiday-based nonfiction and packed with details that everyone will love learning about.

Thanks to NetGalley, Globe Pequot, and Lyons Press for the advance copy.

[Tiziana Tabone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting little book of facts about Christmas season in age past, divided roughly by theme. It is not a scholarly text by any mean, and it would be of interest for a teen, even a young one, and some stories inside (the boy bishop, the lord of misrule) would even make a child laugh.

To be honest, the worst thing about this book is the mismatch between the cover and the interior: from the cover I was expecting a much more serious book, full of references and erudite notes. This isn't that. To be honest, it would be a great start for an early teen series about the holidays, if it was packaged slightly different.

As it is, it is hard to give more than 4 stars. As an adult, I knew much of what was written already, and the jaunty prose failed to catch my interest very deeply. Still, I enjoyed it.

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Discover the surprisingly wild and superstitious Christmas traditions of centuries past, from their origins to the evolution of modern celebrations. Learn about the history of caroling, White House Christmases, and the origins of traditional decorations.

Oh, this book is so fun! Christmas before the Victorian age was completely different from our modern experience, marking a temporary inversion of social mores. This book explains all the ways that misrule reigned, as well as how Christmas become domesticated into what we know today.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Lindsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice compilation of older or unknown Christmas stories and traditions, "Of Christmases Long, Long Ago" is a short read that will be an easy book to enjoy during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

**Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and fascinating book.

[Carlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an eARC in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley.

Overall, I found this book interesting, but I would've preferred the layout to be different. The information is quite mixed together and I think it would have made more sense to be laid out according to date or country. The book is separated by chapters covering various topics, which is fine, but some of the topics overlap quite a bit and I found myself picking a lot of information out of the bulk.

I do think the length is fine. It's not long, but not short either. There's also some cute artwork for each chapter and a lot of other historical illustrations. However, the artwork did not match the cover, which bothered me slightly. The artwork is cartoonish and I think it would've fit better if the cover was also that way or the artwork matched the cover.

In short: it's fine, but I wouldn't read it again or keep it for any informational reason.

[Kimmie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel like I was sitting beside an old storyteller, listening to the origins of Christmas itself. Warm, heartfelt, and endlessly fascinating.

A perfect read for anyone who loves tradition, nostalgia, and the quiet magic of the holiday season.

Thank you to National Book Network for the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming book.