• 1995
  • 5m
Traditions of Christmas

Summary This series looks at what makes up an English Christmas. It shows how Christmas has changed through the centuries, and why we do the things we do at Christmas. Roger Tabor explains why we eat turkey, wear paper hats, kiss under the mistletoe, the difference between Father Christmas and Santa Claus, and where the Christmas pudding and Christmas tree come from in six short programmes. View more details

  • 1995
  • 5m

Traditions of Christmas

Directed : Unknown

Written : Unknown

Stars : Unknown

All cast & crew

0

Details

Genres : Documentary

Release date : Nov 26, 1995

Countries of origin : United Kingdom

Official sites : Official site

Language : English

Filming locations : England, UK

Production companies : Bowe Tennant Productions

Summary This series looks at what makes up an English Christmas. It shows how Christmas has changed through the centuries, and why we do the things we do at Christmas. Roger Tabor explains why we eat turkey, wear paper hats, kiss under the mistletoe, the difference between Father Christmas and Santa Claus, and where the Christmas pudding and Christmas tree come from in six short programmes. View more details

Details

Genres : Documentary

Release date : Nov 26, 1995

Countries of origin : United Kingdom

Official sites : Official site

Language : English

Filming locations : England, UK

Production companies : Bowe Tennant Productions

Photos

Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Traditions of Christmas (1995) Understanding Cats (1995)

Episodes

View All Seasons
Episode 1 • Nov 26, 1995
Christmas Before Christ
Today's festivities and shopping bonanza are often termed 'un-Christian', but the festivities do predate Christ! Today's decorations derive from the holly, ivy and mistletoe greenery, symbolic of continuity of life through winter in the Kissing Bough. The Yule Log is a Norse/Saxon tradition.
Episode 2 • Nov 26, 1995
The Christian Christmas
The early Church adapted existing midwinter festivities to celebrate Christ's birthday, but banned candles and presents! The model story - the crib in a church is attributed to St Francis of Assisi. Carols became popular in the 14th Century, deriving from French singing rounds.
Episode 3 • Nov 26, 1995
The Old Christmas
In the medieval Christmas festivities was the Lord of Misrule, when master served servant at the Manor House. The Twelve Days of Christmas were because the main agricultural holiday was midwinter. The meal of the rich was swan, peacock and boar's head, while the poor ate game birds - with stuffing. Presents were given on the 12th Night rather than Christmas.
Episode 4 • Nov 26, 1995
Parliamentary Christmas
Father Christmas outlawed! The lowest ebb for Christmas - Cromwell banned it! Not only was dancing and singing stopped, - but it was illegal to go to church and celebrate Christmas as the whole thing seemed 'too pagan'! After Cromwell, the old style Christmas never recovered but the turkey and goose stepped in!
Episode 5 • Nov 26, 1995
A Dickens of a Christmas
The man who single-handedly revived and re-invented Christmas for the World was Charles Dickens, in 'Christmas Carol' and a host of special Christmas stories. Revival of carol singing - mulled wine for choristers. The Christmas event of Pantomime appeared as we know it. The invention of Christmas cards, and the appearance of the Christmas Tree.
Episode 6 • Nov 26, 1995
The Feast of Christmas
Old Green Father Christmas became red robed Santa Claus when he returned from the USA. The paper hat worn from the Christmas cracker is a relic of dressing-up of Misrule and Saturnalia. At our Christmas meal, not only has the bird changed, but our Christmas Pudding was once a meat porridge! Mince Pies were once crib-shaped meat pies for the 12 Days of Christmas. Christmas has gone short and sweet.
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