Christmas Traditions from the British Isles, continued

In old England, St. Stephens Day (December 26) was established as Boxing Day.  It was customary for the less fortunate people to solicit money from employers and others on that day.  A Christmas box was carried to receive the gifts.  Perhaps the custom goes back to the Roman Paganalia when earthen chests were used to receive contributions at rural festivals.  In modern England, pretty much everyone is remember with boxes of food or other gifts on Boxing Day.

The idea of the Christmas Card was also originally from England.  The Christmas Card grew out of the school work or Christmas pieces that were popular at the beginning of the 1800's.  These were elaborately prepared scrolls that someone imitated engraving on.  They were done to demonstrate the abilities of the students in composition and chirography.  There is a Christmas card in the British Museum that is believed to have been printed in 1842.  Some say that the first commercial Christmas card was printed in 1845 by W. C. Dobson.  Others say that the first Christmas card was issued by Joseph Crandall in 1846.  Some of the original cards had artwork on the fronts of the cards such as Red Riding Hood, a hermit, St George and the Dragon and snow scenes.

In Wales a service called Plygain was held very early on Christmas morning.  Young men with torches would escort the minister from his home to the church.  The church was brightly lit with colored candles.  There was carol singing and sometimes hot soup was served.  Today this more commonly occurs on New Years Day  

Christmas used to be almost a rowdy good time until Cromwell took over.  Then he made it illegal to celebrate the holiday.  During his reign, Christmas was celebrated with prayer and contemplation.  This subdued the celebrations greatly once they were made legal again.  In the 'New World' when the Puritans came, they too made the celebration of Christmas a time of prayer and not a time of partying.  It was illegal to observe with anything but great solemnity.  However in Jamestown, Virginia, the good times were still had.  Maybe not quite as bawdy as the old days but still celebrated with song and fun.  During the reign of Queen Victoria, many of the traditions were brought back and celebrated with happy hearts once again.