Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Day Twenty Two

Hello Friends!

Nearly there ~ here is today's Advent picture and scripture ~~~

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I don't know what it is with the northern Europeans but they certainly do have some very unfriendly and frightening characters in their Christmas lore! Over the last few days one name keeps popping up everywhere, and that is Krampus, so I decided to investigate.  I really do not like what I found, I had not heard of this dreadful character before, but have decided to tell you about him anyway. Like the Mari Lwyd of Wales, which I wrote about earlier, it is something that belongs more in Hallowe'en than Christmas.

So who, or what is Krampus?  He is an anthropomorphic half goat half demon figure from areas of Europe that include Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Northern Italy.  He is a sort of companion to Saint Nicholas, but Krampus is the one who punishes all the children who have been naughty.  In some areas where the Feast of Saint Nicholas is celebrated on December 6th, the preceding evening is the Night of Krampus, or Krampusnacht, when the beast roams the streets seeking out children who have been bad to give them gifts of coal into shoes left outside for him to find {another common theme in Europe for naughty children} Being the stuff of nightmares, in some countries this creature with his horns, dark hair, and fangs, comes with a chain and bells that he lashes about, along with a bundle of birch sticks meant to swat naughty children. He then hauls the bad kids down to the underworld.

For many years Krampus's frightening presence was suppressed both by the the Catholic Church who forbade the celebrations, and by fascists in World War II Europe found Krampus despicable because it was considered a creation of the Social Democrats.  However, of late, there is a resurgence in Krampus's popularity and books have been written and a film made of this demonic Christmas character.

Personally, I don't understand the necessity, or the logic, behind such scary stuff, especially when aimed at young children, but who are we to question the traditions of centuries?  I give you my word, no more evil Christmas characters!

~~~~~

Moving on to Iceland where tonight's eleventh Yuletide Lad is Doorway Sniffer who will be here between 22nd December - 4th January
Also known as Gáttaþefur and Keyhole Sniffer, he has an enormous nose and a very good sense of smell. He loves the smell of cakes and Laufabrauð being baked, and will stand at the door using his great sense of smell to sniff out any cakes he can steal.

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Days Twenty and Twenty One

Hello Friends!

Oooops, I did it again! I missed a day, but I had company coming and was busy fixing an early Christmas lunch for my Godmother for our annual Christmas gift exchange. It was a lot of fun, and I made a variation on the theme of Sherry Trifle using macerated strawberries and Marsala. It was very delicious and will be made again.

In the meantime, I'll do another double up, so here are the Advent images for December 20th {yesterday} and today the 21st ~~~

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Today is the Winter Solstice. I look forward to this day every year because after six months of the days getting shorter and the evenings longer, tomorrow we will see the start of the long haul back into the light as each dark evening grows shorter and the light slowly returns to the northern hemisphere. Soon, the darkness will be forgotten in the heady days of late spring and early summer and all will be light.

The date of each solstice varies annually, and it can be any time between 21 and 23 of December and although the solstice itself only lasts for a brief moment, it is an important day known by many different names, including Midwinter, Yule, and Jól .  I often try to imagine what it must have been like for our ancient ancestors as they stood by, helplessly watching the sun sink slowly lower in the sky each day, as the days shortened and the nights lengthened; how frightening it must have been for them, wondering what was happening in the days before they understood that this is a natural part of the cycle of the year, of the changing seasons, and what they must have thought they had done to displease their gods.  Is it any wonder that some of the major feasts and festivals of so many religions are in December?

Food was scarce and cattle and livestock were slaughtered so that they did not have to be fed using valuable stored supplies of food through the very lean months ahead, so the supply of fresh meat was plentiful and perfect for feasts and celebrations.  Wine and beer that had been made earlier in the year was also ready to be drunk.  Let the festivities and merrymaking commence!

Our neolithic ancestors were aware of the importance of this astronomical event and it is not coincidental that the primary axes of important henges, such as Stonehenge and Newgrange are carefully aligned with the solstice sunset and sunrise respectively.

Christina Rossetti's poem {later to become a hymn, or Christmas carol} "In The Bleak Midwinter" makes a direct reference to the solstice in the title. It is a favourite of mine.

In the bleak mid-winter

Frosty wind made moan,

Earth stood hard as iron,

Water like a stone;

Snow had fallen, snow on snow,

Snow on snow,

In the bleak mid-winter

Long ago. 

Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him

Nor earth sustain;

Heaven and earth shall flee away

When He comes to reign:

In the bleak mid-winter

A stable-place sufficed

The Lord God Almighty,

Jesus Christ. 

Enough for Him, whom cherubim

Worship night and day,

A breastful of milk,

And a mangerful of hay;

Enough for Him, whom angels

Fall down before,

The ox and ass and camel

Which adore. 

Angels and archangels

May have gathered there,

Cherubim and seraphim

Thronged the air -

But only His mother

In her maiden bliss

Worshipped the Beloved

With a kiss. 

What can I give Him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd

I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man

I would do my part;

Yet what I can, I give Him -

Give my heart.

~~~~~

The ninth Yuletide Lad to visit on the 20th December was Sausage Swiper who will be around until 2nd January.  In days of old, he would sneak into the rafters of the house and steal any sausages that were being smoked there. As this practice is very rare in most Icelandic households, these days he will attempt to steal any slices of pepperoni found on pizzas.  He might also be called Bjúgnakrækir, Sausage Snatcher, Sausage Thief, Sausage Pilferer.

On December 21, Window Peeper arrives until 3rd January.  Also known as: Gluggagægir, Peeper, Peeping Tom, he is the tenth Yule Lad and while he is not a greedy as the others, he will stand outside the home, looking through the window looking for any toys that have been left out, if he sees any he likes the look of, he will break in and steal them.

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Day Fifteen

Hello Friends!

Over half way now, and here is today's Advent calendar picture and scripture ~~~

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I thought today I'd tell you about the history of Christmas Crackers.

When I was a child, these fun novelites were pulled at every Christmas meal and we sat around the table wearing the obigatory paper hat and reading silly jokes and mottoes that came from the crackers.  In those days in the middle of the 20th century crackers were not particularly expensive things, containing cheap paper hats and a silly, cheap novelty gift.  Over the years, however, even every day Christmas crackers have taken on a more designer quality with more elaborate gifts from a few luxury chocolates, miniature bottles of alcohol, travel sizes of toiletries, to jewellery and silk scarves. Making your own crackers and customising the contents to match your table decor and your guests preferences is also popular.

So how did the Christmas cracker come into being?  They were invented by an English gentleman named Tom Smith who had worked from an early age in a bakery and confectioner's shop in London. In 1840 he travelled to Paris, France where he came across the "bon bon" ~ small almond confections wrapped in tissue paper. From this simple beginning, the Christmas cracker evolved and developed into the elaborate and decorated novelty we know today.

If you would like to read more about the fascinating development and history of this tradtional novelty, you can do so here tracing the changes from Victorian love mottoes to corny jokes and riddles, and how the familiar 'snap' was developed, and connections to the Ministry of Defence.  There is even a rather sad tale of a gentleman who wrote to the factory in 1927 enclosing a diamond ring, a 10/- {ten shilling} note and a request for a special cracker to surprise his {future} fiance. Sadly, the gentleman overlooked to include his return address and the ring and money are still in the company's safe!

Tom Smith is still a leading name in the world of Christmas crackers and the company he founded is still run by family members, and is in posession of many Royal Warrants, including one granted in 1964 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and this is still held today.

~~~~~

The Yuletide Lad who arrives tonight is called Spoon Licker, or Þvörusleikir. He will be here until the 28th December.  Spoon Licker is extremely thin and malnourished and will try to steal dirty Þvörur, a type of wooden ladle, and lick any food found on them.

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Day Thirteen

Hello Friends!

We're over half way to Christmas now ~ half way through December, that is. Here is today's Advent picture and scripture ~~~

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For today's Traditions and Trivia I will turn it over to you. I've been asked by a few of you if I'll share some images of some of my ornaments, so I'm doing this today instead of research ~~~ so if you'd like to, why not tell me some of your traditions in the comments box? I'd love to read what you do too!

I used to decorate all out for Christmas and have quite a collection of ornaments, some vintage, some new {or they were new 30 years ago which makes them almost vintage now} and many handmade ones. I used to decorate one large, two medium, and several miniature trees each year, but have pared it all back since Mum can't cope with it all. So, this year I have just decorated my mantel and a shelf or two {I'm still decorating, by the way} to give a little Christmas cheer to the living room only.  Here are a few of my particular favourite ornaments ~~~

Let's start with the Crib. This is almost as old as I am, and I know many of us have one. Inexpensive, mine came from the long~gone traditional newsagent that stood on the bottom of the village square for decades. It was bought for me by my dear Nanna, and it has travelled the world with me in my hand luggage because if I only have one decoration at Christmas, this is it ~~~

Now on to some of my David Winter Cottages and Shoemaker Cottages which I bring out at Christmas ~~~

and some Cherished Teddies, which I used to collect at one time ~~~

some miscellaneous Santas ~~~

I made this from cotton paper pressed into a cookie mold

and the few of my snow globes that I have found {the box with the remainder is still waiting to be found, maybe one of the Yuletide Lads took it as he left last year!} ~~~

My Corn Angel tree topper ~~~

A Thomas Kincaide Tree ~~~ large enough for my small cottage ~~~

and a small stack of Christmas books {and a few that aren't Christmas but have Christmas things in them}

It isn't much this year, but it does bring an air of festiveness to the cottage for my visitors and guests.

~~~~~

Tonight's Yuletide Lad is Gully Gawk, or Giljagaur.  This Lad lurks in dark corners around Icelandic farms waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the cowshed and skim froth from the pails of milk.  So, tonight, two of the Yuletide Lads are abroad in the villages and farmsteads!

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

p.s. don't forget to share some of your traditions, will you?

Christmas Countdown, Traditions and Trivia Day Twelve

Hello Friends!

Here is today's Advent calendar image and scripture ~~~

~~~

A peculiarly British Christmas tradition is that of Pantomime, or affectionately called 'panto'. It is a centuries old form of entertainment having evolved over time from the Mummers play of the Middle Ages by way of the Commedia dell arte but is now a genre of entertainment all of it's own. It is a stage production of humorous family entertainment based on fairy tales and stories performed in dialogue along with plenty of slapstick comedy, gags, music, song and dance.  The stories are based on fairy tales and are written to include topical material of the day, cross dressing characters, with plenty of humour and audience participation with singalongs, and interaction with the characters through use of well known phrases.

Some popular panto productions include:
Aladdin; Jack and the Beanstalk; Snow White and the Seven Dwarves; Cinderella; Dick Whittington; Puss in Boots; Mother Goose; and Babes in the Wood.

The conventions of panto include:
Cross dressing ~the male lead is played by a woman
                       ~the pantomime dame is played by a man in gaudy drag.
Audience participation phrases~ such as "he's behind you!" or "oh! no he isn't ~ oh! yes he is!" and the audience is encouraged to hiss and boo at the villain.
Lyrics to popular songs rewritten and adapted to the script and to include references to topical anecdotes and news.
The Good Fairy should always enter stage right and the Villain from stage left.
An animal, usually a panto horse played by two people in costume, one at the front one at the back.
Slapstick comedy routines
Risqué jokes and double entendre which, in theory, is aimed at the adults and not comprehended by children in the audience.

Many famous celebrities appear in panto in towns and cities all over the UK and it is a popular event for many local amateur dramatic troupes too.
Call me a spoil sport or a Grumpy Old Woman, but I have never cared much for panto.

~~~~~

As I shared with you yesterday, the first of the Icelandic Yuletide Lads arrives in the villages and farmsteads across Iceland tonight and is called "Sheep-Cote Clod" also known as "Stekkjastaur" in Icelandic.  He has wooden legs, so is also called "Peg Leg".  He sneaks into the sheepfolds where he harasses the sheep and drinks the ewes' milk.  Arriving tonight, the 12th December, he is also the first Lad to return to the mountains on December 25th.

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown and Traditions Day Ten

Hello Friends!

Here is today's Advent calendar window ~~~

Today's tradition is a more modern one, that of television and all the special films and cartoons that we only get to see this time of year, unless, of course, we own copies on dvd ~~~

Probably the  most famous British television tradition is the Queen's Speech which is recorded at Buckingham Palace well in advance of Christmas Day and then broadcast at 3:00 p.m., probably to coincide with most people just finishing the Christmas Dinner Feast.  She offers a summary of her year and words of gratitude and encouragement to her loyal subjects across the Commonwealth. I think this year's speech will be very interesting indeed.

Growing up in Britain Christmas was a time to look forward to seeing a lot of "new" films on television, albeit in the 1960's and 70's most of them were three years old, it was the first time they were broadcast to the general population through the ever increasingly popular medium of television.  Over the years, one or two became stalwarts, such as "White Christmas", "The Sound of Music" and "Ben Hur" and at one time I joked that it can't possibly be Christmas because Ben Hur isn't on!  As the years progressed so the number of Christmas programmes increased, and many are the remakes of "A Christmas Carol" by both serious actors and The Muppets, as well as musical adaptations. Then Raymond Briggs's "The Snowman" came into our lives and Christmas viewing seemed changed forever.

Nowadays, there are many films that put in a seasonal appearance and Christmas has a new tradition of films and cartoons we all want to see, maybe because they remind us of our youth, or maybe just because most of them have a feel good factor we love. I know, for me, although I'm not a huge fan of Christmas I do tend to make an effort to watch a few special things, partly for old times's sake and partly because it gives me a forced break from all the hubbub of the season!

It's the one time of the year I also buy the Radio Times. I remember as a child we always had a Radio Times at Christmas so that we'd know when our favourites were coming to air ~~~

{other tv guides are available, but this one is the best!}

So, these are my 'must watch' programmes at Christmas {and into the New Year} ~~~

The Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings {radio or televised}
The Queen's Speech
The Snowman
The Sound of Music
It's a Wonderful Life
The Bishop's Wife {my favourite}
White Christmas
The Bells of St Mary's
Miracle on 34th Street {the 1947 version}
Any number of old Hollywood musicals that are aired
Other classic Hollywood films {they don't make them like that anymore!}
I always hope "Little Women" will be on {any version}
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
and this year, there is a Harry Potter~fest, showing each of the eight films over eight days; if I can squeeze those in I will!

So, what are your favourite Christmas films and shows that you don't like to miss? Please share, I'd love to know, and maybe I can find your favourites and check them out this year.

Tomorrow I have a special treat from Iceland which will mean extra trivia daily between now and Christmas Day ~~~ do come back to find out, won't you?

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown and Traditions Day Eight

Hello Friends!

It is hard to believe we've been doing this for a week now and Christmas is just two and a half weeks away ~~~ how time flies ~~~ and here is the eighth image on the Advent Calendar ~~~

Today's Christmas Tradition is about the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd or Grey Mare/Mary. It is quite scary and not particularly Christmassy in my opinion, but I believe in looking at all manner of traditions to share with you.

This tradition is primarily found in South Wales and is a wassailing folk tradition involving the use of an eponymous "hobby horse" which is made from the skull of a real horse and a sheet which covers an individual responsible for carrying the pole~mounted skull while remaining hidden beneath the sheet.

The Mari Lwyd is accompanied by a group {of men} who take the mare around the village trying to gain entry to various households through the medium of song.  They will be repeatedly refused entry by the householders who will come up with excuses why the Mari Lwyd cannot gain entry, the men will try again and again, only to be refused each time. This is called pwnco and continues until the householders finally run out of excuses and entry is gained, whereupon the party receives food and drink and the merriment continues.

As you might guess, with a tradition such as this {which is ancient and has many ties to other celebrations and traditions} much has been written and if you would like to read more, and see some images of the {quite frightening, in my opinion} Mari Lwyd you can do so here.

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown Traditions and Trivia Day Seven

Hello Friends!

I think you know the drill by now ~~~

Here's today's Advent calendar ~~~

It's getting busy now as the 25th approaches, so thought I'd share some quick Christmas Trivia today and ask you a quick question:

 what's in a name? 

Many babies born around the time of Christmas are given names associated with the time of year, so for fun today I looked some up online and here are just a few of the suggestions ~~~

For a boy you could have:

Casper    Christian      Claus      Gabriel      Joseph    Nicholas     Noel   Rudolph

For a girl you could have:

Carol   Gabrielle   Holly    Ivy   Mary   Joy   Noelle   Virginia   Gloria  Belle   Natalie   Natasha    Angela

Some more unusual suggestions include:

Cookie    Candy    Giftson    Gifty  Star   Peace  Melchior   Balthazar  

Do you know someone born in December who has been given a Christmas name?

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown Day Two

Hello Friends!

Thank you for joining me again today. Here is this morning's window opened ~~~

Today's Christmas Trivia Tradition is why are Mince Pies called Mince Pies when they are a fruity and sugary sweet treat?

Mince Pies trace their origins to the thirteenth century when they were traditionally made with meat, often mutton, and suet.  The Crusaders returning from the Middle East brought back such strange and unknown ingredients as cinnamon, cloves and mace, along with dates and other delicious fruits, and a variety of nuts which ultimately made their way into many British recipes.  Their pungency was regularly used to disguise the taste of meat which was often becoming rancid. The pies have celebrated a varied history over the years but in essence remained the same until Victorian times when the sweet sort we enjoy today evolved.

Not everyone leaves the meat out, I know of several cooks who have old family recipes which do include meat, and while suet is still included in the sweet pies, these days it is often vegetable suet rather than grated animal fat.

Traditionally, Mince Pies consist of two layers of sealed pastry which contain a filling of mincemeat {dried fruits macerated in alchohol, grated fresh apple, brown sugar, nuts, spices, and suet}. Mincemeat should be made well in advance to allow the flavours to mature. Today, however, there are so many variations on the theme that the pies are taking on a whole new and very flavoursome twist. I've made them with flaky pastry, and sometimes I've used marzipan for the top instead of pastry. I've made them as a traybake to be served in slices, and added all sorts of different dried fruits such as cranberries, blueberries, and apricots. The taste can be further changed by using different spirits ~ brandy, whisky, sherry etc, or even non~alcoholic by using apple juice. I use my homemade mincemeat mixture for so many other things too, such as Christmas ice cream, Mincemeat Cake, and Mincemeat Cookies.

It is a singularly British problem that from now until January you will find Mince Pies served with every cup of tea you are offered, or, in some instances, sherry and a mince pie ~ of which I am particularly fond! Have you ever lived dangerously and eaten a Mince Pie with a small piece of extra mature Cheddar cheese and a glass of port?

Just remember, for some of us a Mince Pie is Not Just for Christmas!

Do stop by tomorrow!

Until tomorrow's Christmas Countdown~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo

Christmas Countdown Day One

Hello Friends!

I have decided to share with you, each day, a little snippet or two of Christmas trivia as we open the door each day on my Advent Calendar.

I have almost always had an Advent Calendar to open in the days before Christmas and I still have many of my childhood ones stored in the attic. Even as an adult I've indulged in this Christmas tradition and, although I also decorate my laptop with an e~Advent calendar, the main one must always be a paper one, a proper traditional one with pictures not sweeties behind each door.

Here is my Advent calendar for 2016 ~~~

and this is the picture and scripture behind the first door this morning ~~~

Today's Christmas Countdown snippet is that during the Middle Ages it was common for a pre~Christmas Advent Fast to happen. It is still observed by several Orthodox churches and you can read more here.  One of the earliest written observances is found in the fourteenth century chivalric romance "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" {anon} which forms part of the Arthurian legends.  As with all fasts what follows are days of feasting and merry making on Christmas Day and beyond.  No wonder we all stock up for what I call the Two Day Siege of Christmas!

I do hope you will stop in each day to take a peek behind my Advent doors and pick up a snippet or two of Christmas trivia ~~~

Until next time ~~~
~~~Deborah xoxo