Christmas Countdown & CalendarOur Christmas Countdown series features daily articles about Christmas traditions, origins and history, vintage and medieval Christmas recipes, Christmas desktop wallpaper, vintage Christmas postcards, greeting cards, vintage art reproductions and more. Join us every day for our Christmas countdown! |
Christmas Countdown Calendar |
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Visit our Christmas Countdown Calendar to see the number of days to Christmas and click on each day in the countdown
for articles and vintage Christmas recipes and downloads. Christmas Countdown Calendar |
Christmas Countdown: December 1st |
| Yuletide - A Season of Celebration |
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Christmas Countdown Article: Most historians agree that Christmas probably grew out of Yule festivities. What they don't always agree on is just where the word Yule came from and how it evolved into Christmas. Recipe: Do you enjoy baking? Then you might enjoy these Victorian period recipes, including Christmas cake, Gingerbread, Sugar Mice and Sugar Plums. Images: Vintage Postcard of Victorian Children Hanging Stockings; Vintage Postcard of a Yule Log; Vintage Postcard of Plum Pudding |
Christmas Countdown: December 2nd |
| Christmas Star |
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Article: What was the Christmas Star? What roles did the stars play in past centuries? Recipe:Lucia Day is on December 13 in Sweden and Star Boys hand out Lussekatter (Lucia Buns) - here's a traditional Lucia Bun recipe. Images: Vintage Postcard of Angels visiting the Christ Child with the Star of Bethlehem; Vintage Illustration of the Angel Visiting the Three Wise Men. |
Christmas Countdown: December 3rd |
| Tracing the Origins of Christmas |
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Article: All over the Internet, you'll find all kinds of theories that explain how our present time Christmas celebrations came into existence. Some trace Christmas back to Roman or pre-Christian European celebrations that celebrate the Winter Solstice... Desktop Wallpaper: Currier and Ives Christmas Morn Greeting Cards: Vintage greeting cards you can print from your own computer. Images: Vintage Postcard of a Victorian Christmas Morning; Vintage Postcard of Horse Drawn Carriage on Christmas Morning. |
Christmas Countdown: December 4th |
| Here We Come a'Wassailing |
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Article: Wassailing can be traced back to ancient times, to the Celts and and the Anglo Saxons. There are a number of explanations for the wassail tradition of going from house to house, eating, drinking, socializing and singing. Recipe: Wassail Recipe from the 1600s Images: Vintage Postcard of Santa Claus Drinking Wassail; Vintage Postcard of the Yule King Drinking Wassail |
Christmas Countdown: December 5th |
| The Eve of Saint Nicholas |
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Article: In many European countries, December 5th is the Eve of Saint Nicholas, the Patron Saint of children and sailors. Instead of putting up Christmas stockings, children put out their shoes in hopes that Saint Nicholas will fill them with goodies. Recipe: Champagne Cup - A Victorian Holiday Recipe Images: Vintage Painting of Saint Nicholas The Bishop of Myra; Vintage Postcard of Saint Nicholas with Krampus |
Christmas Countdown: December 6th |
| Saint Nicholas Day |
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Article: Saint Nicholas is generally described as a gentle, dignified character and the traditions associated with him usually reflect that. But there was a time when a great deal of tom-foolery was associated with his day, December 6th.
Recipe: Figgy Pudding - Traditional Christmas Recipe Images: Vintage Illustration Lord of Misrule from Dickens Christmas Carol; Vintage Postcard Saint Nicholas Surrounded by Children |
Christmas Countdown: December 7th |
| Santa's Reindeer |
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Article: In America, Santa Claus travels through the night sky at magical speeds, drawn by a team of flying reindeer, visiting millions of homes and delivering gifts in a single night. How Santa Claus came to have reindeer is a subject of much speculation. Recipe: Julgrot- Traditional Christmas Rice Porridge Images: Vintage Scrap of Santa Claus from Postcards; Vintage Image of Juul Nisse, a Santa Claus Elf; Vintage Postcard of Santa Claus in a Reindeer Sleigh |
Christmas Countdown: December 8th |
| Christmas Bells |
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Article: Around the world, the bells of Christmas peal, announcing that Christmas has come, that it is time for celebration and prayer. Some say that the ringing of bells is a throwback to very early cultures, which rang bells to drive away evil, but the real story of the bells of Christmas has a great deal more to it than that. Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Santa Claus Postcard circa 1908 Images: Vintage Scrap of Golden Bell with Mistletoe; Vintage Postcard of Holly and Christmas Bell |
Christmas Countdown: December 9th |
| Holly and Ivy |
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Article: Holly and ivy have been associated with the Christmas season for centuries in one way or another for both practical and symbolic reasons. Recipe: A historic Glogg recipe from 1847 Images: Vintage Illustration of Children Gathering Holly; Vintage Postcard of Victorian Children Decorating with Holly and Ivy |
Christmas Countdown: December 10th |
| Oh Christmas Tree |
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Article: This Christmas, when you stand in the glow of the beautiful Christmas tree lights, you should thank your blessings that you are in a warm, snug home safe from the bitter cold of the winters people lived through when Christmas trees first found their way into people's hearts. Recipe: Candied White Pine Images: Vintage Postcard Decorating the Pine Tree; Vintage Postcard of Two Children Bringing in the Christmas Tree; Vintage Postcard of a Little Girl with a Christmas Tree |
Christmas Countdown: December 11th |
| Christmas Cards |
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Article: Christmas cards are a relatively new invention, but the practice of exchanging cards goes back to the 1400s when men and women placed their names in a hat to choose who would be their Valentine for the year. New Year's cards were also exchanged as early as the 1400s. Images: Victorian Era Illustrated Envelope; The Oldest Christmas Card; Vintage Christmas Advertising Trade Card; Vintage Christmas Card from 1876 |
Christmas Countdown: December 12th |
| Mistletoe |
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Article: Many centuries ago, the Celtic peoples of Europe believed that the mystical powers of mistletoe were strong enough to force enemies to lay their weapons down and call a true. So they hung mistletoe over their doorways during the Yule season to bring peace and goodwill to all who entered. Recipe: 1814 Traditional Gingerbread Recipe Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard - Christmas Bell Images: Vintage Postcard - Kissing Under the Mistletoe, Photo of Mistletoe; Photo of a Gingerbread House |
Christmas Countdown: December 13th |
| Christmas Tree Ornaments |
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Article: Believe it or not, it is entirely possible that Christmas tree ornaments descended from a witch balls in the early 1800s. A Witch Ball is a hollow glass ball, which was traditionally hung above doors and windows... Crafts: How to Make Victorian Spiced Pomander Balls and Popcorn Balls Images: Vintage Postcard of a Victorian family decorating a Christmas tree, Vintage Postcard of Santa Claus with a Christmas tree; Victorian children decorating their Christmas tree. |
Christmas Countdown: December 14th |
| Maskers and Mummers |
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Article: Maskers and mummers, in one shape or form, have entertained in the streets of towns, at festivals and at the great tables of the nobility as long as there has been a Christmas season. They would dance, sing carols, and put on plays for their audiences. Some of the performances were carefully rehearsed affairs, but most were impromptu play acts of great hilarity, often poking fun. .. Recipe: 16th Century Pottage of Cherries Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of Maskers at Christmas time Images: Vintage Postcard - Christmas Maskers; Vintage Postcard of Christmas Mummers; Vintage black and white of the Lord of Misrule |
Christmas Countdown: December 15th |
| Christmas Superstitions |
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Article: Christmas is a time of traditions passed down generation to generations. In past eras, it was also a time to ensure good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Maybe these superstitions and omens are just that, but some of them are just plain fun and good excuse to relax, eat and enjoy the Christmas season... Recipe: Traditional English Posset Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of Two Delightful Children with their Dog in the Snow,br> Images: Vintage Postcard of a Mother and Child Stirring the Christmas Pudding; Vintage Print of Carolers being given Posset. |
Christmas Countdown: December 16th |
| More Christmas Superstitions |
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Article: More Christmas superstitions from times past. In past eras,Christmas wasn't just a time to celebrate, it was a time to ensure good luck and prosperity in the coming year. Maybe these superstitions and omens are just that, but some of them are just plain fun and will give you a good excuse to kiss as often as possible under the mistletoe. Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of Children Dressed in Red with Holly and Christmas Tree Recipe: Christmas Salad Images: Vintage Postcard - Robin with Holly and Mistletoe; Vintage Postcard - Mushroom House |
Christmas Countdown: December 17th |
| Medieval Christmas Feasts |
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Article: When you sit down for your Christmas dinner this year, you may be thinking that your heavily laden table may be a bit excessive. To learn the true meaning of excessive, you'd have to attend a medieval Christmas feast... Recipe: Perys in Confyte Music: The Boar's Head Carol, Sheet Music, Lyrics and Midi Images: Medieval Manuscript Illustration of a Wild Boar's Hunt; Vintage Illustration - Bringing the Boar's Head to the Christmas Table |
Christmas Countdown: December 18th |
| Jingle Bells and Carriages |
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Article: In past eras, jingle bells could be heard down snowy lanes as horse drawn sleighs approached. They were actually there for a practical reason. Desktop Wallpaper: Currier and Ives - Trotting Cracks on the Snow Images: Currier and Ives Sleigh Ride; Digitally re-colored vintage illustration of a on-horse sleigh; Vintage illustraiton of a four horse carriage in the snow |
Christmas Countdown: December 19th |
| The Christmas Rose |
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Article: The Christmas Rose flowers from December to April, it's beautiful white petals and deep green foliage standing out amidst the dull, leafless terrain of winter. Desktop Wallpaper: Digital Collage of the Adoration of the Magi by Domenico Ghirland with a Vintage botanical print of a Christmas Rose Recipe: Victorian Eggnog Recipe Images: Vintage Botanical Print of the Christmas Rose; Vintage botanical print of the Black Hellebore; Antique print of the Adoration of the Magi |
Christmas Countdown: December 20th |
| Kriss Kringle - The Christkindl |
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Article: Kriss Kringle is most likely the English version of Christkindel or Christkindl, who is the Christ Child and the bearer of gifts for children in many areas of Europe. The Pennsylvania Dutch brought the Christkindl traditions with them when they emigrated to America. Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of the Christkindl with Pelznickel. Recipe: Stuffed Baked Apples Images: Vintage postcard of the Christkindl riding a deer; Vintage postcard clip of Christkindl with the Tree of Lights; Vintage Postcard of the Angel of the Christ Child. |
Christmas Countdown: December 21st |
| Christmas Grain and Bread |
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Article: If you look up the name Bethlehem in a Hebrew dictionary, you will find that it comes from the word beth, which means house and lehem, which means bread. So it literally means "house of bread." Desktop Wallpaper: Nativity Scene from a Vintage Postcard Recipe: Traditional Italian Panettone Images: Vintage Postcard of Father Christmas holding a Sheaf of Grain; Vintage Postcard of an Angel with Grain; Vintage Postcard of Nativity Scene. |
Christmas Countdown: December 22nd |
| Christmas Candles |
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Article: The beautiful lines of today's featured Christmas poem, from the Swedish Christmas carol "Nu Tändas Tusen Juleljus" perfectly expresses the beauty of Christmas and the hope and faith of millions of people around the world as
they light their Christmas candles Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of Santa Claus walking to a Lighted Church at Sunset. Recipe: Dundee Cake - A Traditional Scottish Christmas Cake Images: Vintage Postcard of Santa Claus lighting candles on a Christmas Tree; Vintage Postcard of a Lit Candle; Young Woman with St. Lucy's Candles on her Head |
Christmas Countdown: December 23rd |
| Christmas Carols |
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Article: Christmas carols, song and dance, may have the longest history of the traditions associated with the Christmas season. The word carol comes from the old French "carole", which means a kind of dance and from the Lation word, "choraula", a dance to the flute, and even earlier to a Greek word meaning the same thing. Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of young boys singing Christmas Carols. Images: Vintage postcard of a girl singing while Santa peeks through the window; Vintage postcard of Carolers. |
Christmas Countdown: December 24th |
| Christmas Eve |
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Article: All over the world on Christmas Eve, that great light of humanity, that spark of spirit and love that we all share,
shines brightly in our homes, in our acts of kindness and our celebration of Christmas... Desktop Wallpaper: Vintage Postcard of the Madonna with Child Images: Vintage illustration of the Angel of the Lord visiting the Shepherds the night before Christmas; Vintage Postcard of a Victorian family on Christmas Eve. |
Christmas Countdown: December 25th |
| Merry Christmas! |