Old Christmas Traditions That No Longer Exist

Gone are the days of burying presents in the bran and celebrating Christmas until February 1st. The world used to celebrate Christmas with many different customs. Here are some old Christmas traditions that you may not have known about .

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There are many different ways people around the world celebrate Christmas and winter. But these rituals—which often vary from place to place—have not always remained the same over the years, and some have fallen into disuse or even been banned altogether. Here are some lost holiday traditions that are no longer part of today's celebrations.

Lord of Chaos and the Christmas Prince

The Lord of Chaos was a medieval tradition in England and Scotland that involved appointing a peasant to take charge of winter festivities to briefly disrupt the social order. This led to lots of drinking and partying—and plenty of self-indulgence that would normally be frowned upon at other times of the year. The tradition also had local variations such as the "Christmas Prince" at Oxford University.

Gift on 12/6

Most people exchange gifts on December 25 (except in places like Germany). But people used to exchange gifts much earlier: on December 6, the day honoring the Feast of St. Nicholas. The tradition of giving gifts on December 6 has faded as people have come to prefer Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Traveling theater troupes come to people's homes

While theater is still a popular part of the holiday season, today you often have to leave your house to see a live show. But in Victorian Britain, entertainment came to you. Traveling theater troupes would visit large, lavish homes—especially estates—and perform for the crowds who gathered there. The tradition of theater visiting people in their homes has faded, but the custom of going out to see a play or ballet at Christmas continues in many countries.

Give gin and cake to loyal customers

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In the town of Falmouth in Cornwall, England, merchants will give away cakes and a special gin to their loyal customers on holidays to thank them for their purchases throughout the year. The drink is a mix of blackstrap molasses and local gin.

Ice fair on the Thames

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Today, London's ice fairs are no longer possible. In the past, the River Thames would freeze solid enough for people to set up market stalls and sell their wares to others safely. However, by the mid-19th century, the weather was no longer cold enough for these ice fairs to take place, as the river no longer froze to the same degree. Nevertheless, London continues to have a vibrant Christmas market scene—all on solid ground.

Here are some interesting Christmas traditions from the past. What do you think about them? How do you like to celebrate Christmas? Let's share!

Marvin Fry

Update 12 December 2024