Christmas Traditions: A Celebration of Festive Lore

by George Goodwin

A stocking-filler-sized compilation of Christmas lore, revealing the intriguing origins of the traditional festivities. Forty short pieces on individual traditions are each accompanied by charming vintage illustrations from the British Library's collection of Christmas books, cards and ephemera.



Origins of the Feast at Christmas

The decision to celebrate Christ's birthday on 25 December; the Yuletide festival of Anglo-Saxon England; Saturnalia; evergreens taken inside in midwinter; the original Captain Christmas



`Hark the Herald Angels Sing' - Christmas in and out of Church

Holly symbolizing Christ's crown of thorns; the role of Midnight Mass; European celebrations of Epiphany and the importance of the Three Kings



Christmas down the Ages

Mistletoe and kissing; the Puritan ban on Christmas; the Twelve Days of Christmas; Dickens's recipe for Twelfth Night cake



The Transatlantic `Victorian' Christmas

Nineteenth-century romanticisation of Christmas and invented traditions; goose clubs; advent calendars; Christmas cards and gift-giving



Modern Traditions

Individual, sometimes outlandish traditions from around the world

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Christmas

127 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[PrettyFlamingo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Christmassy book I read over the Christmas holidays, in which I learned about the history of our Christmas traditions, how they evolved over the years and which were accompanied by some sumptuous vintage photographs and pictures. Super bite size easy read, great introduction and very festive. What's not to like?!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book with nicely flowing text and wonderful pictures, including a picture of Santa by Thomas Nast which is often referred to in Christmas books but not usually pictured.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little glimpse into the history behind some of our seasonal traditions.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to read a book about Christmas in the run up, this was a light exploring of the traditions. Did I learn anything. Well no. I've read enough that quite frankly I could have written to this level of detail. But if someone was looking at it with fresher eyes, it's a pretty book that's very accessible as an intro.

[Sam Foster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. An interesting story of how Christmas festivities came to be throughout the centuries and how they evolved to what we know now. I liked the short sections, which made it fun to read. What I didn't like was the going backwards and forwards in time during the sections as I did get a bit confused at times.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came across this in Oxfam a few days before Christmas. It's about the origins of the various elements that make up a modern Christmas, and is accompanied by some wonderful illustrations. Very enjoyable.

[Raye Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, very pretty book