Overview:
This article explores the history and evolution of popular Christmas traditions, from leaving cookies for Santa to decorating wreaths and trees. It traces their origins in ancient pagan festivals, Christian adaptations, and cultural shifts, showing how these customs have developed into the holiday practices we know today.
Following up on From Saint to Secular Icon: Santa Claus, it’s interesting to look at the background of many holiday traditions. The following are five in particular.
Cookies for Santa
The custom of leaving cookies for Santa is not limited to one definable point of origin. The most commonly cited origins were created to help teach generosity and reciprocation to children. In Norse tradition, children would leave food out for Odin’s eight-legged steed Sleipnir in hopes of receiving presents in return. In Dutch tradition, children would leave cookies, food, and hay out for Sinterklaas (the Dutch version of Santa Claus). They would also leave these treats for any weary travelers who may need it.
As this tradition grew and changed to reflect new times and societies, it began to look like the one we know today. Leaving cookies for Santa became more widespread as an American convention during the Great Depression. Resources were scarce in the 1930s since economic hardship was the norm following the cataclysmic crash of the stock market. In spite of these conditions, baking a small batch of cookies is something most families could still do. This activity offered a lesson to children that gratitude should not be forgotten, even during hard times.
December 25th
Christmas is a combination of religious and secular traditions, with Christianity focusing on the birth of Jesus Christ. Historians believe that around 336 A.D., the Christian church strategically chose to celebrate Christmas on December 25th. This decision was made to coincide with the Roman winter solstice festivals, namely Saturnalia and the birth of Sol Invictus, loosely translating to “unconquered Sun”. This date placement allowed for an easier conversion by Roman pagans to the Christian faith. Ultimately, Christmas incorporated aspects of solstice festivities.
There are overlapping theories about the choice for a date. One such conjecture behind the date choice was Annunciation Theory. Early theologians proposed that since March 25th marked the honoring of Jesus’ immaculate conception, logic would dictate that his birth would be around nine months later. Hence, December 25th was chosen. Additionally, the celebration of the return of the sun would become a celebration of Jesus Christ, the light of the world.
The Christmas Wreath
The use of the current Christmas wreath began in 16th century Germany, where tree trimmings were fashioned into the circular decorations we know today. Those wreaths were born from sustainable and pragmatic mindsets, with German Lutherans preferring to repurpose things that would normally be disposed of. The wreaths also have a symbolic meaning. The circle represents divine flawlessness and eternity, as the shape has no end.
However, wreaths weren’t always tied to Christmas. Long before evergreen wreaths graced German homes, wreaths were used to display life’s promise to return after a grueling winter. When Scandinavia and Germany began using yule wreaths, winters were biting. Many people did not survive the cold. Therefore, symbols of hope were certainly welcome. The promise of spring and the symbolic representation of nature’s fortitude was meant to be a sign of comfort and peace. These wreaths were also used to invite protective spirits. The reason that these celebrations took place at the winter solstice is that day is the shortest of the year. It marks the end of the worst of winter.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
The usage of Christmas wreaths in 16th century Germany was intertwined with the precursor to what would become the modern Christmas tree. Evergreen decorations represented the promise of spring; they warded off evil spirits and welcomed good spirits in. Traditions involving evergreen plants date back to ancient times. However, the decorated Christmas tree of modern day began as “Adam and Eve Paradise Plays”. The creation and fall of man, as well as the promise of redemption, would be acted out near a tree. This tree was decorated with apples and other adornments to play the part of the Paradise Tree.
The Paradise Tree began being used around the 12th century. However, 16th century Germany marked the shift toward the Christmas tree of today by adding sweets, wafers, and candles. Disputed folklore dictates that Martin Luther was the first to decorate a Christmas tree. He reportedly used it as an explanatory tool to show his family the experience of walking in the forest under the glow of starlight. Some historians discredit this, saying that decorated Christmas trees didn’t come into use until a century after the priest’s death. Despite the murky evolution of the practice, the earliest written record of a decorated Christmas tree was found in a diary. This diary from 1605 was found in Strasburg, France. The practice was brought to America by German immigrants but was widely popularized by a famous drawing of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with one in 1848.
Conclusion
Christmas traditions start somewhere, but it is their growth and revisions that make them what they are today. Christmas is a living representation of history actualized by its traditions. When plugging in Christmas lights, drinking hot cocoa, or giving gifts on Christmas Day, we share a brief moment with generations of people. This connection spans from antiquity to the present. Celebrations connect us to stories of people defining customs through practice. Through practicing customs, we define them for the future.
Sources:
The Daily Meal — “The Depression-Era Origins Of Leaving Cookies And Milk For Santa”
Mental Floss — “When (And Why) Did People Start Leaving Out Cookies for Santa?”
Time — “Christmas Wreath Origins”
Orchid Republic — “Christmas Wreath Tradition”
The Good Trade — “What is the Winter Solstice?”
The Providence Journal — “Why is Christmas celebrated on Dec. 25? Here’s a brief history”
History — “Why Is Christmas Celebrated on December 25?”
Aleteia — “Why is the Annunciation celebrated on March 25?”
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension — “A Little Bit of History About Christmas Trees”
Curious Christian — “The Origin of Christmas Trees in German Paradise Plays”
Fairfax County Master Gardeners Association — “Why The Holidays Are Green”
Editor’s Note: This article provides a historical overview of Christmas traditions. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, some origins and customs are based on historical interpretations and folklore that may vary among sources.
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