Today is Jen’s birthday – Happy, happy birthday, Jen! Have a wonderful day! Wishing you a great year ahead. Love you!
So today was the Three Centuries of Christmas at Hanna’s Town. It was – first of all – nice to see some of my fellow tour guides and those who volunteer or work there. They do such a great job with the programs.
My tour started at 11am. Kelton took us to our first century – the 18th – at it was in the Tavern. Joanna explained about celebrating Christmas and some of the customs. Most of the decorations (when there were any at all) were from nature. Pine boughs, holly, fruit. The pine symbolized eternal life. The holly was considered magical, and kept away evil spirits. The word Holidays is derived from Holly Days. Christmas was banned and considered illegal for many years, by order of Oliver Cromwell. He, I guess, was the original Grinch!
(watch for more info on the sweater later!)
The bearer of ‘tidings’ during that time was the formidable Belsnickel. He visited all the houses; pounded the door and demanded entry. If the children were ‘bad’ he rattled his heavy chain, and the kids got coal or wax or punishment with a switch. If they were ‘good’ he rang bells and they got nice treats. I got a piece of coal, but he said it was a small one because I was just a little bit bad! But Santa gave me a candy cane because he didn’t agree!
But I got a Candy Cane (see below)
Moving on to the 19th century, we were led to the LeFevre House by Belsnickel. Lisa welcomed us inside and Carol explained traditions and customs. Most of the early 19th century celebrations were of German origin. Trees were decorated with cookies, candles, nuts, popcorn, ribbons. Several figures would visit different neighborhoods. Kriss Kringle, represented by young boys dressed up as well known characters (like George Washington) who performed antics and sang carols loudly, even performing tricks. They wouldn’t leave the property until those in the house would give them coins or food, which they distributed to the poor. That’s where the 2nd and 3rd verses from ‘We Wish you a Merry Christmas’ come into play: “Bring us some figgy pudding” and “We won’t go until we get some.”
Wooden angel on the top
The next visitor would be Christ Kingle (Christ Child) who would come at night an bring candy for the kids, who left hay for the reindeer. Kriss Kringle didn’t come down the chimney; he came in through the keyhole!
Now to the 19th century. Mistletoe was very popular and gave reason for a lot of kissing! Each time a couple would kiss under the mistletoe, they would pull a white berry off the sprig. Once the white berries were done, so was the kissing! Poinsettias were very popular – originating in Mexico – but kept in the house as decorations and symbol of friendship.
There were several versions of ‘Santa’, but the one then was most widely accepted was the one described in The Night Before Christmas (Clement C Moore). The illustrator for that was Thomas Nast, which met the descriptions in the poem. Several years later ‘Coke’ created a new image of Santa and that is the most widely recognized.
(This is a long post, isn’t it???)
The second half of the 19th century is deemed the Victorian age. Christmas Carols and caroling became very popular. The first Christmas Carol brought to the US was not even written for Christmas – Jingle Bells. During the years of the Civil War times were sad and hard. President Lincoln visited soldiers, and Mrs. Jefferson Davis visited the hospitals on Christmas Eve. President Grant declared Christmas an official holiday.
In 1867 Macy’s decided to stay open very late to keep up with the shopping and commercialism. Before this time most gifts were hand made; now they were mass produced and shopping because more popular. This is also when the elves were introduced as workers in Santa’s toy workshop. Macy’s first Thanksgiving Day Parade was 15 cars, 50 people, and a fireman dressed as Santa.
Christmas cards and post cards became so popular that the post office had to implore people to ‘mail early.’ Also, store windows competed for popularity as decorating them became a competition, including animation.
Now, here we are at last to the 20th century. There were a lot of familiar items in this display. Artificial lights on trees, glass bulb ornaments, handmade ornaments, candy canes, and trains underneath. Indiana PA became the Christmas Tree Capital of the World in 1956. President Coolidge instituted the first official National Christmas Tree.
The second half of the century – Victorian Age. Trees had electric light and commercially produced ornaments and decorations, as well as toys and clothing.
When children because older and began to doubt the existence of Santa, several things happened. The most famous was the letter written by Virginia O’Hanlon to the NY Sun – Is there really a Santa. The answer by editor Francis Church was one of the most published single articles ever in any newspaper. Also, one of the astronauts said ‘Santa comes through the Heart, not the chimney.’ Ugly sweaters became vastly popular.
The program was lovely, with different kids of cookies in several locations. The gift shop and the history display was open to browse through. Hanna’s Town does this program every December. It’s really worth checking out! Lots of fun and information and I didn’t nearly share even a tenth of it!
My blessing today was the Three Centuries of Christmas program!
PEANUTS Thought for the Day:
TOMORROW December 15th is:
Bill of Rights Day; Cat Herders Day; International Tea Day; National Garland Day; National Cupcake Day; National Regifting Day; National Wear Your Pearls Day; Ugly Sweater day.
Yesterday’s fake day was National Crumb Day. Tomorrow: Jen will need help hearing cats. I love having my hot tea! Kelly is the Cupcake queen. I have a few ugly sweaters/sweatshirts, and I don’t own pearls! Well, maybe I have Grama Crooks’s but they are probably imitation! God bless. OH! And tomorrow is mine and Mary’s last day to teach. We are officially done! Hard to believe….
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