Legend tells us St. Nick was a kind man who loved children and rescued them from harm. But in parts of Europe, he traveled with an evil sidekick.
Category: Christmas
Christmas Dinner, Goose Clubs, and Turkey Drives
Henry VIII is credited with being the first monarch to have turkey for his Christmas dinner. But for most of Henry’s subjects, goose was the favored holiday bird…
Goats, Donkeys, Horses, and Reindeer: Santa’s Animal Helpers
Reindeer weren’t always Santa’s animal of choice. Before the reindeer, there were other more common animals such as goats, donkeys, and horses…
Twelve Days of Christmas Predict the Future
Everyone knows about the partridge in the pear tree, but during the Middle Ages the twelve days of Christmas also predicting the future…
History of the Christmas Tree: From UK to Germany and Back
An 8th century priest, a 16th century religious reformer, and the Victorian royals all played a role in the history of the Christmas tree.
British Christmas Crackers: Make Your Holiday Pop
In 1847 Tom Smith was inspired by French candies and crackling logs. He put them together and the Christmas cracker was born.
Boxing Day: What’s it all About?
In the UK, the 26th of December is a public holiday known as Boxing Day…
Christmas Reading
A list of Christmas articles to help you get into the spirit of the season…
Dickens and His Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens might just be the best known Christmas story out there. Find out the story behind the story…
Wassail and Wassailing
When wandering through a Christmas market on a chilly winter’s day, nothing tastes better or warms you up like a hot, spiced cider…
The Provence Christmas Story
You may know the traditional Biblical Christmas story, but in Provence, there is a bit more to it…
British Christmas Panto: An Outrageous Holiday Tradition
British Christmas pantos are filled with slapstick humor, cross-dressing actors, jokes about current events, and audience participation…
British Christmas Pudding and Pie
Christmas pudding and mince pies are a big part of the British holiday season. Let’s have a look at these two essentially British desserts…
Santons: The Little Saints of Provence
In many parts of the world, Nativity scenes make up a part of the Christmas decoration but in Provence, they are taken to the extreme…