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Origins of Mistletoe
Mistletoe in ancient times was believed to have magical powers of life and fertility and even had power to create peace and ward off illness and disease.
Mistletoe is connected to Freya, the Norse goddess of love, and in ancient times, people kissed underneath its branches to partake of its benefits.
Christians brought this tradition into the modern Christmas story and celebration, and like other traditions, kissing under the Mistletoe quickly spread around the world.
The Story of the origin of sending Christmas Cards
The origin of sending Christmas cards started in the UK in 1840. This was when the 'Penny Post' postal deliveries began. The Postal deliveries were a great success as they were aided by the new railway systems.
This public postal service was a great boon to 19th century communications. It was in the nature of a revolution, comparable to what e-mail is for us today.
As printing equipment and methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large quantities from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for a half-penny . This was half the price of sending an ordinary letter.
The origin of sending Christmas cards started in the UK in 1840. This was when the 'Penny Post' postal deliveries began. The Postal deliveries were a great success as they were aided by the new railway systems.
This public postal service was a great boon to 19th century communications. It was in the nature of a revolution, comparable to what e-mail is for us today.
As printing equipment and methods improved, Christmas cards were produced in large quantities from about 1860. They became even more popular in Britain when a card could be posted in an unsealed envelope for a half-penny . This was half the price of sending an ordinary letter.
Rook’s Nest Junior & Infants School Choir
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When to take Christmas decorations down?
It is unlucky if you don’t take your decorations down before the end of the 12th day of Christmas on the 5th January. This custom has been around since the reign of Victoria.
Up until the 19th century, people would keep their decorations of holly, ivy, box, yew, laurel and mistletoe up until 2nd February,Candlemas Day, the end of the Christmas season, 40 days after the birth of Jesus.
CHARLES DICKENS MONOLOGUES
By John Robert Nield
Ebenezer Scrooge
For the greed of money, Ebenezer Scrooge let young love slip through his fingers and aged without the companionship of his nephew Fred, his only living family. He became a profitable business man, but at the expense of fair wages and betterment of his clerk, Bob Cratchit.
In Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, we find the curmudgeonly character Scrooge going home to spend another Christmas alone. Only through the supernatural visits of the ghost of his old partner and the three spirits of Christmas, is he able to reconnect with his fellow man and learn the joys of a generous heart. This tale takes Scrooge from being the antagonist to the protagonist in his own story, making it a classic of Victorian literature.
Uriah Heep
Uriah Heep is the name of a rascal in David Copperfield.
His pretence of being ''’umble'' masks villainy, as he undermines his employer, Mr Wickfield, gradually worms his way into control of the law firm.
He attempts to blackmail Wickfield’s daughter (who eventually marries David) into marriage.
His pretence of being ''’umble'' masks villainy, as he undermines his employer, Mr Wickfield, gradually worms his way into control of the law firm.
He attempts to blackmail Wickfield’s daughter (who eventually marries David) into marriage.
I would describe him as an oily creature, who writhes like a snake.
The first Christmas card was created and sent in 1843. A man named John Calcott Horsely printed the first Christmas card for Sir Henry Cole, the friend who had given him the idea.
Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy British businessman, wanted a card he could proudly send to friends and professional acquaintances to wish them a "Merry Christmas."
The card depicted a typical English family enjoying the holiday, and people performing acts of charity. An important part of Victorian Christmas spirit. A thousand copies of the card were printed and sold for one shilling. This is reportedly the first Christmas card to be produced and sold to the public.
