15 Old-School Christmas Traditions Nobody Does Anymore

Christmas traditions have evolved significantly over the years , leaving behind some wizardly practice that were once primal to vacation celebrations .

In this blog post , we ’ll research 15 old - school Christmas tradition that have faded into obscureness . From unequaled festive solid food to quirky customs , these traditions provide a nostalgic glance into the past . Let ’s take a journeying through sentence and rediscover the passion and wonder of Christmas gone by .

1. Wassailing

Wassailing was a lively custom where villagers would ramble door - to - threshold singing and pop the question a drink from the wassail bowlful in interchange for endowment . It was both an expression of good will and a way to insure a good cider Malus pumila harvest .

This tradition , often accompanied by a warm , spiced ale or cyder , fostered community life . Today , it has largely been replaced by caroling , and wassail itself is less commonly find . Wassailing ’s beginning in pagan ritual remind us of how Christmas has integrated various cultural practice over century , blend in them into the vacation we cognize today .

2. Yule Log

The Yule logarithm custom involved pick out a full-blooded logarithm to burn in the fireside throughout the Christmas season . Families would gather to adorn it with holly and ivy before setting it ablaze . This usage symbolized passion and light during the sour wintertime months . As the log burned , it was consider to protect the abode from evil spirits .

In modern times , the Yule log has been replaced by deep brown cake versions , hold enter the name but losing the original marrow . This practice foreground the change in how we see festal symbols and rituals .

3. Telling Ghost Stories

Before Christmas was associated only with joy , it had a spooky side with the telling of ghost stories . Victorian phratry would pull together around the fireplace to share eery tales . This custom was take root in the foresightful , dingy night of winter , where storytelling served as both amusement and a means to search the unknown .

While today ’s Christmas focuses on cheerful story , ghost stories were once a staple . The practice has dwindle as mod Christmas leaning towards light - hearted , family - well-disposed themes , leaving these chilling story to Halloween or else .

4. Feast of St. Nicholas

Celebrated on December 6th , the Feast of St. Nicholas was a day when children find gifts and sweet , left in their shoes overnight . This tradition honored St. Nicholas , the frequenter holy man of nestling , and was especially outstanding in Europe .

The spread boast parade and festive gather , further a sense of community and unselfishness . While the spirit of giving stiff , the specific celebration of St. Nicholas ’s fete has been largely absorbed into Christmas Day celebration . The change reflects the shading of ethnic practice session into a unmarried , global vacation celebration .

5. Mummers’ Plays

mimer ’ plays were folk music looseness do by groups of amateur actors know as mummers . These performances , settle down in mediaeval tradition , took office in town squares or people ’s homes . The plays were comical , featuring themes of good versus evilness , and were a major source of holiday entertainment . Mumming encourage biotic community engagement and was a precursor to innovative - day pantomime . Over time , as professional theater evolved , mime ’ plays became less vulgar , leave behind a legacy of grassroots theatrical custom . This custom exemplified the communal expression of Christmas celebration .

6. Christmas Pudding Charms

In Victorian time , Christmas puddings were more than just a sweet . People would hide small charms within , each symbolizing a future fortune for the finder . The recitation of stirring the pudding together represented family unity .

This custom added a layer of excitation and mystery to the vacation meal . Sadly , pudding charm have largely disappeared , perchance due to health concerns and changing tastes . However , they offer a unparalleled style for families to bond over dessert , leaving behind memory of apportion hopes and laughter during the festive time of year .

7. Burning Bayberry Candles

Burning bayberry candle on Christmas Eve was a custom believe to bring just luck and prosperity . The candles , made from the wax of bayberry shrubs , emitted a distinct fragrancy when lit . The saying , “ A bayberry candle burn to the socket brings food to the larder and gold to the pocket , ” encapsulated the Bob Hope for abundance in the upcoming year . Today , this practice has faded , with many opting for decorative electrical light alternatively . Despite the declivity , bayberry standard candle once tot up a fragrant and hopeful tinge to Christmas celebrations .

8. Mincemeat Pies

Once a raw material of Christmas feasts , mincemeat Proto-Indo European were fill with a mix of minced meat , suet , fruit , and spices . This solid ravisher symbolized luxury and celebration . Mincemeat pies were part of the medieval Christmas time of year , representing cordial reception and generosity . Over clip , the recipe evolved , dropping the centre for yield and spice concoction . Today , these Proto-Indo European are less coarse , chiefly found in traditional British celebration . This alteration reflect shifts in culinary penchant and the adaptation of holiday intellectual nourishment to well suit modern palate .

9. Boar’s Head Feast

The Boar ’s Head Feast was a gilded medieval tradition where a boar ’s head was the centrepiece of a lavish banquet . This feast , accompanied by singing and revel , symbolize the victory of commodity over evil . The display of the wild boar ’s question was an detailed social function , often involving a advance . Although it ’s rare today , the feast exemplified medieval pageant and culinary extravagance . innovative Christmas dinners have replaced this with less opulent fare . However , the Boar ’s Head Feast remains a enchanting glimpse into historical Christmas celebration and their symbolic import .

10. Candy Pull Parties

Candy pull political party were festive gatherings where friend and family descend together to make and draw taffy . This interactional tradition was a societal highlight , especially relish by fry . The sticky , sweet fun fostered camaraderie and creativity in the kitchen . As candy - fashioning became commercialize , these parties dwindled in popularity . Despite this , candy clout parties exemplify the joy of homemade treats and share experiences . They offered a hands - on way to celebrate , sparking laughter and stick to during the holiday time of year . Today , they serve as a nostalgic monitor of unsubdivided times .

11. Epiphany Celebrations

Epiphany , celebrated on January 6th , note the conclusion of the Christmas season . This day memorialise the visit of the Magi to the Christ small fry . Traditionally , it involve banqueting , singing , and elaborate parades . In some civilisation , Epiphany was as substantial as Christmas Day , with endowment - giving and special ceremony . Over time , its prominence has go down , overshadow by New Year ’s celebrations . However , in some office of the world , it remains an important holiday . Epiphany celebrations cue us of the divers ways Christmas is observed globally , each with alone traditions and meanings .

12. Christmas Card Parties

Before the public toilet of digital greetings , Christmas card parties were a pop way to share holiday sunniness . Friends and class would pull together to write and adorn cards by deal . These gatherings were creative and personal , fostering connections and spread joyousness . With the emanation of electronic communication , the tradition of card parties has decline , though the sentiment remains . Today , sending notice is often a lone activity , leave out the communal spirit of these gatherings . Christmas batting order parties exemplified the personal soupcon and exploit that once characterized holiday greetings .

13. Twelve Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas were a festive point from December 25th to January 5th , filled with uninterrupted celebrations . Each day had its own significance and customs duty , from feasting to exchanging gift . This drawn-out vacation time of year allow for ample merriment and reflection . Today , the concept is largely condensed into Christmas Day itself , with few observing the full twelve 24-hour interval . This shift illustrates change in vacation programing and societal priorities . The Twelve day of Christmas cue us of a meter when the vacation spirit extended well beyond a single 24-hour interval of festivities .

14. Christmas Eve Boxes

Christmas Eve boxes were a charming custom where small gifts like pajama , snacks , or books were exchanged . This practice built anticipation for Christmas Day , adding an superfluous layer of excitement . syndicate would collect to spread out these boxes , creating a cozy and intimate prelude to the main event . While still practiced in some country , the tradition has declined as gift - gift focuses more on Christmas Day . Christmas Eve boxwood personify the idea of savoring every moment of the vacation , offering a blue reminder to enjoy the smaller joyousness amidst the season ’s hustle .

15. Making Pomanders

Pomanders , craft with oranges and cloves , were a definitive homemade gift and decoration . Their delightful fragrance filled homes with festal fragrance . The outgrowth of making pomanders was a fun and creative activity , perfect for involving family members of all age . While still made occasionally , they ’re less plebeian in modern interior decoration . Pomanders served as both a sensory pleasure and a symbol of passion and hospitality during the holiday season . This tradition spotlight the joy of creating hand-crafted ribbon and the elementary pleasure of holiday crafting .