Christmas Traditions in the UK
There are many Christmas traditions that we hold dear in Britain. Yet, many of us do not know where these traditions came 
from. We’ve been having a closer look at the origins of some of our most beloved traditions and we think that what we’ve found out might just surprise you.
Christmas Markets
A Christmas Market has become a staple pre-Christmas activity in the United Kingdom. Brits all over the country enjoy the famous Christmas markets in cities such as Exeter where the ‘vibrant atmosphere amongst the stalls selling a mix of fine food, unique crafts, gifts and decorations [is] everything needed for a perfect pre-Christmas celebration’ (Just Go Holidays). However, what is now a quintessential British tradition, doesn’t originate from the UK at all and has only recently been adopted into our Christmas customs. Christmas Markets actually originated in Northern Europe and have been traditional there for centuries, particularly in Germany and Austria. Indeed, the precursor to the Christmas Market is believed to have originated in Vienna in 1296 when Emperor Albrecht authorised shop owners to hold a Dezembermarkt (December Market) which would allow people to stock up on essential winter supplies.
Advent Calendars
The advent season (‘adventus’ in Latin) is a period of time in the liturgical Christian year which is supposed to be a time of spiritual preparation before preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Typically, Christian households would make each day of advent with a prayer, but it was eventually recognised that a more visual approach would help Christian children to keep track of the days and become excited about the arrival of their Christ. Thus, the advent calendar was designed to offer concrete representation of the days passing until the birth of Christ and to build up their anticipation. In Europe, around 1840, there is evidence of parents using lines of chalk or candles to mark the passing time, yet the first printed advent calendar didn’t appear until 1904 as a newspaper insert.
Christmas Trees
For most people today, the Christmas tree is the most essential Christmas custom; yet, again, it has only been adopted in the UK within the last few hundred years. Another custom which has found its way to Britain via Germany; the Christmas tree was popularised in Britain by Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert. Imagine History explains how a sketched portrait of the Royal family ‘standing around a lavishly decorated tree’ appeared in a newspaper and very quickly caught on. However, the origins of the Christmas tree extend back long before Germany was in existence, to ancient Stone Age cultures celebrating the Winter Solstice.
The 25th of December
Christmas Trees were not the only thing that Christians have adopted from pagan Winter Solstice celebrations. Indeed, it may surprise you, but the 25th of December is actually the date of the Winter Solstice as celebrated by the Egyptians who ‘celebrated by decorating their homes with lush plants such as palm leaves and branches’ (Imagine History) – sound familiar? In fact, there is no historical evidence in the gospels or any other text which would place Jesus’ birth on December 25th. Indeed, Bible expert Adam Clarke has suggested that Jesus’ birth could have been ‘no later than October’ as ‘it was customary for the Jews [around Bethlehem] to send their sheep to pasture from the spring until early October [because as] the cold winter months began, the flocks would return from the fields for shelter and warmth’ (Bible Info). It seems, therefore, that the Christian Church adopted the 25th of December in order to replace the pagan Winter Solstice customs.
Oranges in Christmas Stockings
Could you even imagine Christmas as a child without the classic oranges in the stocking? Whether Father Christmas favoured you with satsumas, mandarins or tangerines, it was always there. But did you ever think to ask why? Many people believe that the tradition of putting oranges in children’s stockings began in American during the Great Depression, when ‘families struggled to afford gifts so left a small piece of fruit in their children’s stockings instead’ (Metro), yet this explanation doesn’t account for the specificity of the orange fruit. Other sources suggest that the oranges actually represent gold pieces. Some legends about Saint Nicholas suggest that he gave money to help poor families and that one time, as he dropped coins down the chimney, they landed in some stockings which were hanging by the fire to dry.
References
https://www.justgoholidays.com/
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/nov/29/a-brief-history-of-christmas-markets
https://www.imagininghistory.co.uk/post/ancient-origins-of-the-christmas-tree
