The idea of decorating the houses with greenery was pre Christian and symbolised the fruitful months of summer when the earth was abundant with all growing things, flowers green lush grass plants and trees, and fruits and nuts, the long cold dark winter months were barren and so early man decorated his dwelling with Ivy, that most revered of plants due to its evergreen qualities, the Yule log is interesting and is medieval, it must have been a lovely sight to see a huge log in the village square all lit up and adorned with holly and Ivy, the warm gold glow of the fire and the crackling of the peaty log must have been so welcoming to the onlookers in the gloom of winter, big houses had their servants bring in the log and placed in the huge hearth, and the daughters of the house would have adorned the green boughs around the fireplace, the windows and doors, it is a tradition that continues to this day and makes the house look so warm and festive, the Christmas tree originates from Germany as most of us know, and is a tradition brought over by Albert the consort of Queen Victoria, in those days the tree was decorated with Bon Bon’s gingerbread cookies and wooden toys and ribbons, at the end of several boughs were little candle holders and in these small tapers were lit, these days with boisterous children running around it would be quite dangerous, and of course puppies and kittens can easily knock the tree over, the origins of the mince pie is interesting to, the eleven ingredients symbolising the eleven apostles of Christ, i too adore mince pies, and prefer them warm with cream or custard, I first saw some chefs on tv some years ago showing us how to make a three bird roast, I thought no thanks! Yet now you can purchase them in supermarkets but I don’t think the idea has actually caught on, the Tudors were gargantuan eaters of meat but today many are vegetarian and the idea of all that cooking can make many a mum sweat! We always eat out at Christmas and therefore no washing up either !
The idea of decorating the houses with greenery was pre Christian and symbolised the fruitful months of summer when the earth was abundant with all growing things, flowers green lush grass plants and trees, and fruits and nuts, the long cold dark winter months were barren and so early man decorated his dwelling with Ivy, that most revered of plants due to its evergreen qualities, the Yule log is interesting and is medieval, it must have been a lovely sight to see a huge log in the village square all lit up and adorned with holly and Ivy, the warm gold glow of the fire and the crackling of the peaty log must have been so welcoming to the onlookers in the gloom of winter, big houses had their servants bring in the log and placed in the huge hearth, and the daughters of the house would have adorned the green boughs around the fireplace, the windows and doors, it is a tradition that continues to this day and makes the house look so warm and festive, the Christmas tree originates from Germany as most of us know, and is a tradition brought over by Albert the consort of Queen Victoria, in those days the tree was decorated with Bon Bon’s gingerbread cookies and wooden toys and ribbons, at the end of several boughs were little candle holders and in these small tapers were lit, these days with boisterous children running around it would be quite dangerous, and of course puppies and kittens can easily knock the tree over, the origins of the mince pie is interesting to, the eleven ingredients symbolising the eleven apostles of Christ, i too adore mince pies, and prefer them warm with cream or custard, I first saw some chefs on tv some years ago showing us how to make a three bird roast, I thought no thanks! Yet now you can purchase them in supermarkets but I don’t think the idea has actually caught on, the Tudors were gargantuan eaters of meat but today many are vegetarian and the idea of all that cooking can make many a mum sweat! We always eat out at Christmas and therefore no washing up either !
Thank you so much! Very interesting!