The Libri GmbH The History of Christmas in 20 Objects

Why do we bring a tree into the house every December? Why do we kiss beneath mistletoe, pull crackers over Christmas dinner and leave stockings for Father Christmas? And how did a small British bird, a man made from snow and a chocolate cake shaped like a log become part of Christmas?The History of Christmas in 20 Objects takes twenty familiar parts of the festive season and uncovers the strange, surprising and often forgotten stories behind them.From the Christmas tree and the bauble to mince pies, pudding, cards, crackers, stockings, presents, bells, ghosts, Father Christmas and toys, each chapter begins with something instantly recognisable and follows its journey through centuries of religion, folklore, trade, invention, fashion and family tradition. Along the way, discover some rather less familiar pieces of Christmas history:¿ In Brussels in 1511, people created more than a hundred snow sculptures across the city, including political satire, comic figures and subjects far too indecent for the average Christmas card.¿ Victorian Christmas cards were not always cosy. Some featured dead birds, sinister insects, dancing frogs and other images that would look distinctly alarming on a modern mantelpiece.¿ The familiar Christmas robin may owe part of its seasonal career to Victorian postmen, who were nicknamed "robins" or "redbreasts" because of their red uniforms.¿ The authorship of A Visit from St Nicholas, the poem that helped give Santa his sleigh, reindeer and chimney entrance, has been disputed for generations.¿ In 1966, American television turned the Yule log into a broadcast event by showing a fireplace burning on screen for viewers who did not have one of their own.Beyond the oddities and surprises, the book traces how religion, industry, trade, literature, advertising, and family life shaped familiar Christmas traditions. It follows the journey from handmade ornaments and early seasonal customs to department stores, mass-produced toys and the modern Christmas morning.Meet St Nicholas before he became Santa Claus, discover why snowmen somehow became Christmassy despite having nothing to do with Christmas, find out how the Christmas cracker began with confectionery, and follow Father Christmas from an old English personification of feasting and good cheer to the red-coated gift giver recognised around the world.Written and illustrated in a lively, witty and accessible style, The History of Christmas in 20 Objects reveals that the Christmas we know today was never invented by one person or created at one moment. It accumulated piece by piece over centuries, borrowing from religion, commerce, folklore, family habits and more than a few historical accidents.By the time you finish, the Christmas tree, the cracker beside your plate, and even the robin outside the window may never look quite the same again.