Etiquette of Letter Writing Over 130 Years Ago

       Social letters and notes may be divided into two distinct classes, the formal and informal and among the latter may be included those notes of daily life which are hardly social in their contents yet which require the social manner and conventions.

Letters with wax seals by Cornelis Norbertus
Gijsbrechts (1660-1683)

       While one may take some liberty with the informal note those of formal type must not be changed from the conventional form and the formal invitation requires a formal response regardless of any unusual circumstances. If further explanations are deemed necessary an informal note may follow the formal response or, if on sufficiently friendly and intimate terms, the telephone may be utilized. The use of the third person at once proclaims formality and the answer must also show the use of the third person throughout. A quite usual mistake is to commence with the third person and later on employ the pronoun "I". The use of "I" immediately signifies an informal type of epistle although it may be an invitation for an affair of several hundred guests where very smart clothes are required. And a formal invitation may be sent out for what appears a most informal affair such as a garden fete, but let the newcomer beware and wisely wear the smartest costume although adapted to hour and place.

       Formal invitations are sent out at least three weeks in advance of the date of the affair, often much earlier if a strenuous season and should be accepted or declined within a week if possible, but there should be nothing indefinite in the reply - it must be one or the other If the affair is a large one such as an evening reception or a dance which one is not sure of being able to attend but desires to be present, it is quite correct to accept and if unable to attend excuses may be made later when calling. If a small affair, or where a stated number of guests are expected for a luncheon, dinner or theater party, one regrets definitely since no considerate guest would ask a friend to wait upon her pleasure.

       When a married couple are invited to dinner and the husband cannot accept, the wife should decline also since it may be difficult to arrange another dinner partner for her. This is a case where an explanatory note may follow if the hostess is an intimate friend and not only a social acquaintance, but it must be done so deftly that the hostess is not placed in an embarrassing position, so that it is usually wiser to play Polly by the fireside under such conditions.

       Unless engraved, all formal notes must be written in long hand even if it is the hand of the social secretary and there is an exact wording and spacing for all formal requirements which should be carefully followed as convention permits the use of only the upper sheet of the note paper. If one writes a large all-covering script it must be regulated to produce a page which has social sanction in form as in contents. To acquire this desirable appearance such a writer will derive much benefit from practicing on inexpensive paper folded the correct size until able easily to accomplish a page conveying formal invitations, acceptances or regrets.

"News from My Lady" by painter, James Campbell.

       The selection of the writing paper is most important since formality requires white or ivory for invitations although the delicate tints may be used for the formal responses, and all must be of most excellent quality and not too extreme in style. For social correspondence there are three sizes required, the largest for social letters, a smaller size for all formal occasions, and the smallest which is used for notes of a few lines such as congratulations and condolences. Correspondence cards are used only informally to convey a few words and of course a postal card is impossible except for semi-business use, such as sending an address.

       The delicate grays, blues and lavenders with monogram or address are exceedingly smart but only for intimate letters or country house stationery are the gayer and more unique forms possible and even then there remains a doubt if they best express a refined personality.

       For bachelors, since wives attend to the social side for their husbands, there are darker shades of gray, blue and slate but the novice wisely clings to the conventional white for formal use. The bachelor girl or business woman often follows the masculine taste in the darker tones and the use of initials or address rather than the more intricate monogram. A delicate or simple monogram in the darker tone of the paper or in silver or gold with a touch of faint color is preferred to the heavier more elaborate designs, and is placed in the center or the left-hand comer and is frequently omitted if the address is engraved. When only the address is preferred it occupies the center or right-hand comer. As country house stationery often requires more than just the name of the country house or the number and street address at the right, the left-hand comer gives further details in smaller type - such as the telephone number, telegraph, post office and railway station if any deviation from the country house address.

       In addressing the envelope write all the necessary directions but without superfluous words such as "For" Mrs. __. If there is a special name for the country house by all means use it and should it cause a lengthy, confused appearance it may be placed in the lower left-hand corner. The stamp should be squarely affixed in the upper right-hand corner and some devotees of detail select the green penny stamps if more harmonious with their tinted paper than the gay cherry two cent ones. In addressing a guest "Care"should be written and the name of the host given rather than that of the hostess. If a girl guest is visiting a girl friend at her mother's house the letter is sent in care of the hostess, if there is no masculine head of the house, instead of in care of the young friend; a minor detail but one which has often been criticized. So much social tact is required in addressing invitations and letters correctly that a separate section will be devoted to it at the end of this chapter.

       While brevity is the soul of wit, haste is most ungracious so that social grace abhors all abbreviations and business forms which, while signs of efficiency, find no place in the social lexicon. The full name should be written out except in those cases where the initial is always signed for the first name. The numbers of the address on the envelope or in the letter where the address is not given should be written unless too lengthy and the same applies to a numbered street - thus "Twenty-four West Seventy-second" is infinitely smarter than the use of the numerals, but "1784 Madison Avenue" or "198 West 147 Street" would be out of proportion. Avenue and street and state are never abbreviated. One occasionally writes "Town" in English fashion but it is wiser to write the name of the city. The same idea is also applied to the date in a letter as one writes "Thursday, June the twenty-second," omitting the year, which is hardly required in a social letter. Should one desire to use the full date then numerals should be used, as "Thursday, June 22, 1920." The abbreviation "th" while still correct is not used as much as formerly. In social letters the date and address are placed at the lower left-hand end of the letter whereas in business forms it is placed at the upper right-hand corner.

       Only business letters use the form of salutation such as "Dear Madam" or "Dear Sir" and should it be necessary to write to a stranger as in a matter of inquiry or reference, the full name and address are written out and then with a space between one commences "My dear Mrs. __"

Ladies writing desk, French 1766

Mrs. Edward Stone,

126 Madison Avenue,

New York City

My dear Mrs. Stone,

       "My dear __" is considered more formal than "Dear __" and one may not write "Dear Friend" but should use the name after the salutations, or if on very intimate terms may commence with "Dear" and, a dash.

       A social note is written only on the first and last pages, and if not finished continued inside, but it is better to write on consecutive pages if the outer two are not likely to prove sufficient. The commencement is placed about a fourth or even a third of the length of the sheet from the top, much depending on the size of the paper and monogram. Writing too close to the top gives a cramped and economical aspect, while too deep destroys the proportion of the page. The margin at  the left hand should be about three-fourths of an inch, with an inch indentation for the commencement of paragraphs, if the square form so rapidly growing in popularity is not used. The lower margin and the one on the right should have about the same spacing. Paragraph the contents as the subject changes, even occasionally making an arbitrary division when launched on a heart burning topic  which fills the whole letter. If paragraphs are not indented a space should be allowed between them as an aid to clearness. A word should not be separated at the end of a line, but carried over to the next line.

       In closing one rarely uses the conventional forms of "believe me," "With best wishes I am" but following the desire for simplicity writes "With best wishes," and on the line below "Cordially yours" as the connecting phrase is understood. Social etiquette in the Old World retains all of its elegance and no letter closes without some charming message, possibly conventional, yet always a graceful expression of interest. So among friends one may write, "Farewell, dear, until the next time," "You know how welcome any word from you will be," "You can never write too often or too long to__,"

"Do send me good news of your sweet self,""Best regards and cool wishes on this warm summer day."

       All adverbs ending in "ly" require the possessive pronoun "yours" to be grammatical and a scribbled note ending "In haste" is neither grammatical nor courteous. One may use some originality in the choice of adverbs to intimate friends, but socially one uses "sincerely," "cordially," "faithfully‚" with the adjectives "very" and "most" to run the social scale. One may place the "yours" before or after adverbs and adjectives. Frankly speaking "sincerely" has been the most often selected of any of the adverbs during the past f season, "truly," "respectfully," "gratefully" belong to the business world with rare exceptions.

       The full name should be written out unless too long, such as Margaret Goldsmith Hammersley, when it is advisable to omit the middle name rather than use an initial. Many women on marrying cease to use their middle name but retain their family name, so that Olivia Grace Grey marrying Edward Stone Martin signs herself Olivia Grey Martin and when writing to a stranger writes below her signature, Mrs. Edward Stone Martin. A divorcee usually drops her husband's first name and if retaining his surname signs herself as Olivia Grey Martin as before but adds beneath Mrs. Grey Martin. A woman whose husband is a junior uses that abbreviation after her own name if her mother-in-law is living in the same town. If, however, the mother-in-law is a widow she is supposed to add "Sr." after her name. Where the older woman is not willing to do this the daughter-in-law has retained the "Jr." although her husband has omitted it after his name. When unmarried (Miss) is placed in parenthesis before a woman's signature. A man signs himself in a social note as John Walden Smith avoiding the use of initials. In some cases he may use the above as a business signature and signs himself in social correspondence as Walden Smith.

       Now that we are on such approachable terms with royalty, government officials and other distinguished individuals a brief reference guide is required since we often wish to address them in regard to reforms and various welfare projects.

       All executives of state in our country are addressed formally as Sir or Dear Sir, except the president who is addressed only as Sir. Socially they are addressed as My dear Mr. President and My dear Mr. __.

 

Writing with a quill pen 1909

The envelopes and letter openings are as follows:

President __ __
 The Vice-President __ __
Honorable __ __
 Secretary of the Interior
   (Cabinet Member)
The Honorable__ __
 Ambassador to Romania
   (Ambassadors to foreign countries)
 Senator or Honorable __ __
   (Senators)
Honorable __ __
 (Members of Congress)
Mr. Justice __ __
 (Justice, not necessarily Supreme Cout)
or
The Honorable __ __
  Justice of the Supreme Court
   (Justice of Supreme Court)
Governor __ __
   (Governor of State)
His Honor the Mayor of New York, __ __

       Officials may also be addressed with social informality as "My dear Senator, My dear Mr. Justice, Dear Governor," but the addressing of every man as "Mr.," the title of a gentleman, is rapidly gaining favor and one is never at fault if the correct title is given on the envelope. In closing formal and official communications one writes "I have the honor to be your most obedient servant," but socially one uses "I have the honor to remain most respectfully (or sincerely) yours."

       An invitation from the President is equal to a command and may not be declined so that all earlier engagements must be cancelled, and only illness or deep trouble may excuse one. The explanation should be given frankly and not as a mere formality.

       All officers of the Army and Navy are addressed by their full titles above the rank of lieutenant and may not be abbreviated.

       A lieutenant is addressed as "Mr. __ Lieutenant 10th Regiment, United States Infantry."  Formally the officers are addressed as "Sir" but socially as "Dear Admiral __."

       The Church requires more formality and ceremony and only the simplest forms are given here, as follows: the address - the salutation - the closing.

Roman Catholic Form

His Eminence, Cardinal __

Your Eminence:

I have the honor to remain your bumble servant,

The Most Reverend __ , Archbishop of __

Most Reverend and dear Sir:

I have the honor to remain your bumble servant,

The Right Reverend, Bishop of __:

Right Reverend and dear Sir:

I have the honor to remain your bumble servant.

The Reverend __:

Reverend and dear Sir:

I beg to remain yours sincerely, (for priest)

Anglican Church Form

The Most Reverend __, His Grace the Arch-bishop of __:

My Lord Bishop, May it please your Grace

I remain, my Lord Archbishop, your Grace's most obedient servant,

To the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of ___

My Lord:

I have the honor to remain your Lordship's obedient servant,

Protestant Form

Right Reverend __, Bishop of __;

Right Reverend and dear Sir:

I have the honor to remain your obedient servant,

The Reverend __, or Reverend Doctor___:

Reverend and dear Sir or Dear Sir:

I beg to remain yours sincerely, (for minister)

Professional Forms

Physician: __, M.D. or Dr. __

Dear Sir: (informally) Dear Dr. __ or Dear Doctor:

Yours sincerely, or Yours truly,

Professor: Professor __, (followed by correct initials)

Dear Professor __ or Dear Dr. __.

by R. Gabrielle 

Letters and Postcards, Not just a hobby by Not Just a Hobby.

Paint a Shaker Style Box

       This paper mache box was modeled after a Shaker band box I think. I painted it with a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch pattern. 

Left, side view. Right, a view of the design on the top of the box.

       To make a painted box like this one you will need the following supplies: prefabricated circular paper box, red, black, yellow, and white acrylic paints, a tiny soft paint brush and acrylic sealer.

Simple illustration of a planter with tulips.

       Paint the entire outside of the box, including the lid, with red paint. Let it dry.
       Then use the illustration above to lightly sketch the pattern on top of the lid.
       Paint the sketch black and let the design dry. Then add the painted yellow highlights and let these dry completely. Lastly, paint the white highlighted areas.
       This particular box had a delicate raised pattern already embossed on the sides. I simply painted the swirly floral pattern with the same colors used on the lid.
       After the entire box was painted I then lightly dry brushed a bit of grey around the lid's edges to suggest an "aged" appearance for the box. Don't forget to spray your final piece with an acrylic sealer. 

Paint a Walnut Strawberry For The Tree

       The first time I ever saw these walnut strawberries was in a magazine article about Victorian Christmas ornaments. Then, years later I found them again in a craft book about Mexican ornament making. So, I have no idea who thought of them first. 

Supply List: 

• cleaned walnuts (preferably from the store)
• red acrylic or red poster paint
• two colors of green scrap felt for the leafs green cap
• string to match the felt
• a black permanent ink, felt tip pen 
• a soft camel hair paint brush
•  a shallow dish of water or a clean jar of water for cleaning the brush 
• tacky white glue 
• scissors 
• a large embroidery needle 

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Paint the entire surface of the walnut a pleasing red and set the nut aside to dry. 
2. After the walnut is completely dry, draw dots or short slashes with the permanent ink marker to mimic strawberry seeds. 
3. Download and print out our template for strawberry leaves. 
4. Size these in a Word document before printing. 
5. Place the pattern on top of the darker green felt scrap and cut out the bottom leaf, following the black outlined pattern. 
6. Place the pattern again on top of the lighter green felt scarp and cut out the top leaf, following the white outlined pattern. 
7. String both felt leaves together and tie also a large hoop for hanging.  
8. Now glue the entire felt top to the top of the walnut using a tacky white glue. 
9. Apply a little pressure to the top while the glue is drying. 
10. The walnut "strawberry" may be painted a bit more elaborately by mixing a bit of white or orange to the the red paint as you apply it towards the top of the nut.

template for strawberry caps

Sew Warm and Cozy Pillows For The Holidays!

Pillows made from woolen mats are
easy and quick crafts that just about
 anybody can produce.

       Here are my three ideas for warm and cozy throw pillows to add a bit of style and flavor to your home decor during the holidays.

       A woven mat, from south of the boarder, (right) sewn into a simple pillow, adds plenty of character to my old mission furniture.

       To make this pillow you will need: one woven mat, embroidery floss, cotton stuffing, a woolen piece of fabric for the backing of the pillow and scissors.

       Cut the woolen fabric to the exact same size of the woven mat. Pin the two fabric pieces together. Blanket stitch around three sides. Stuff the pillow with cotton filler and then sew the remaining side shut with the same blanket stitch.

       Ever wonder what you could possible do with old 80s sweaters? Yes, I understand that some things should never be resurrected but, this one (below, left) had never even been worn. Hard to believe, isn't it?

       Once you have dug inside of your vintage stash, collect embroidery floss, needles, and stuffing for the inside of a pillow. Or use an old cushion and cover it with the sweater without going to the trouble of making a new pillow for this recycled version, I won't tell anyone!

My hand knit sweater looks much
better as a pillow!

       Cut the sweater approximately 1/8 inch larger than the measurement of your pillow. You will need two identical sides and these may be sewn together to either hide the seam or not, depending on the look that is most appropriate for the sweater's surface.
       The pictured knit pillow was sewn with the right sides facing out. I sewed the seams twice with a heavy blanket stitch. I find this necessary when working with something that was formerly knit. 
       Attempt to catch every loop of the knitting with the embroidery floss, otherwise your pillow will unravel.
       Stuff the pillow with the pillow form, not loose cotton batting. Loose batting will eventually get pulled out from in between the knitting!

       A heavily textured knit looks best when sewn together with a similar seam.  For a finer seam, it would be best to stitch the knitted pieces on a sewing machine in order to prevent unraveling.

       I appliquéd the heart and star wool pillows from old woolen trousers. I hate to toss expensive wool out when I can recycle it in a quilt, table runner etc... Wool is very durable and keeps it's shape longer than any other fabric. For this  reason, I prefer to use it in decorative pillows that I know my family will be using roughly for many years.

Applique woolen pillows that
I created for my family room.

       To make your own versions you will need: wool scraps, if you purchase these, I would suggest no less than 14 inches of five different patterns/solids, embroidery floss in a variety of contrasting colors, scissors, the templates below, printed and cut out, embroidery needles and soft cotton filler of your own choosing.

       Cut out the templates as directed.
      Cut out six hearts for the pillow depicted at the front of the photograph. The hearts are hand-sewn with a blanket stitch on top of 6 inch by 5 1/2 inch rectangles. There are three rectangles across and two rectangles from top to bottom. 
      Reserve approximately 16 1/2 inches by 13 inches of one woolen swatch for the back of this pillow. 
       Stitch these pieces together and stuff.
      For the folk star pillow, cut four stars, four lager penny circles and four small penny circles. Applique these pieces together as they appear in the photo. 
      You will need four, 8 inch by 8 inch squares for each star pattern and four additional squares for the back side of the pillow.

Wooley Ornament Crafts for The Christmas Tree Too:

• Lollipops made with wool yarn
• Peppermint pennies made with felt wool scraps
• Penny rugs for little folks to make here and here.

     

Click to download the largest available pattern. Would you like to try sewing
 some for yourself? Here are my free templates for the pillows pictured. This
template may be downloaded and sized in a word
document to fit the above measurements.

Spanish Customs Practiced at Christmas Time

       The "Noche-buena," or Good Night, is Christmas Eve in Spain. Following midnight Mass, the streets are alive with singing and dancing crowds celebrating the holiday, and around the crib or nacimiento in each home, the children sing Nativity songs to the music of tambourines and guitars. 

       Throughout the day and until the Twelfth Night the festivities continue as friends and relatives exchange the season's greetings. 

Humble peasants with common works are included
in Spanish Nativities. Because Jesus came for all
people who depend on Him, these folk characters
are included in the venue around the tree or on
top of a table display, even though they were not
present at the original event in the scriptures.

       A survival of Roman days is the Urn of Fate, similar to that customary in Italy. However, it is not gifts which are placed in the traditional bowl in Spain, but the names of friends and acquaintances. Two names are drawn at a time and the two people thus paired are expected to be especially friendly during the coming year. The right names may even lead to marriage if the one who draws the papers from the urn can be persuaded to do a little romantic cheating. 

       The favorite Christmas tradition for the youngsters, however, concerns the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem. Folk tales have it that each year the Three Wise Men repeat their journey and pass through Spain on their way. Hence, on the eve of the Epiphany, the children fill their shoes with straw for the camels of the Three Kings. The next morning the straw is gone and the shoes are filled with presents. 

       It was customary in some areas to dramatize the anticipated visit of the Three Kings. The children would march to the gates of the city carrying cakes for the kings, figs for the servants, and hay for the mounts. As the sun went down it was believed that they would see the kings silhouetted on some distant hilltop as they journeyed on their way to Bethlehem. Then as it grew dark, the children returned home, eating the sweets they had brought. Later they would go to church with their parents and sing "This morn I met the train of the Three Great Kings of the East" as they knelt before the manger scene, which now had the Wise Men added to the figures around the stable. 

       In many areas the children have a special fondness for Balthasar. He is shown riding a donkey, the familiar beast of burden in Spain, and it is he who leaves the presents for them in the night. 

Christmas in Spain for little ones

 by Teacher Hubby Tech Support

How Many Swedes Celebrate and Decorate for Christmas

A Christmas tree decorated at the American Swedish Institute in
Minneapolis. The goats surrounding the tree are called Gävlebocken.

        In Sweden the Christmas season really begins with St. Lucy's day, December 13, when the eldest girl in each home dresses in white, with a red sash, and dons an evergreen crown with nine candles. It is her duty on Christmas morning to wake the family and bring them coffee and cakes. Many communities choose a Lucia Queen for the pageant and parade held in St. Lucy's honor. St. Lucy was an early Christian martyr who refused to give up her religion to marry a pagan, and was burned at the stake by the Emperor Diocletian. 

       Lucy's story was brought to Scandinavia by the missionaries and had such a strong appeal to the Vikings that she became the patron saint of all maidens. Because her feast day came on a day previously observing pagan rites to the goddess of light (about the time when the daylight hours begin to increase) the tradition of wearing the crown of candles became a part of the Lucia custom.

Ornaments Inspired by The Swedes:

• Christmas Crafting with Wheat: Pasting and Weaving

Swedish Traditions and Life Style:

• When Christmas Slowly Moves In by Living with Mandu
• Classic Swedish Christmas DIY's
• Julemanden is the gift-bearer in Danish culture
• Celebrate Santa Lucia for Christmas, December 13th
• History of The Swedish Dala Horse
• Good Yule Postcards

Winter

Antique paper-cut pattern designed by Karl Fröhlich of a snowy sleigh-ride,
a mother gathering tree limbs for burning and boys playing on the ice, oops!
one just fell through the ice . . . 

Winter by Madame de Chatelain 
paper-cut by Karl Fröhlich

Stern Winter—most unwelcome guest !— 
The earth in whitest robes has drest;
 And hast'ning through the crunching snow,
 With tinkling bells, the sledges go.

 The leafless wood looks drear and sad,

 No birds sing now with voices glad ;—

 But boys are romping far and wide,

And o'er the ice delight to slide.

 When on the panes with frost encased,

 The mimic fir-trees may be traced,

 In spite of biting cold and snow,

Poor housewives to the forest go. 

And there they gather moss to form

Their children’s bed all soft and warm,

And dried up twigs to make a blaze

That cheers the hearth with kindling rays.

Their treasures next the ashes yield,

And hot potatoes lie revealed,

Which little hungry mouths invite,

With dainty smell and welcome sight.

Lord! all Thy ways are great and good!

Thou giv’st e’en orphaned birds their food—

Thy blessing and Thy fostering care 

Alike the hut and palace share!

Traditions of The English Christmas

Wassailers in Great Britain go door-to-door
caroling and feasting on wassail, a kind of
spiced ale served warm in the Christmas
season.

       The Christmas tree came to England from Germany in 1841 when Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg set up a tree in Windsor Castle for Queen Victoria. It was immediately popular and, while its decorations were at first those of the Prince's homeland, it wasn't long before it acquired a distinctive tradition of English origin – that of using Christmas cards, many of them bearing pictures of the royal family, as its ornaments. 

       The first Christmas card is credited to England although there is a considerable disagreement as to the individual who should be recognized as its originator. Even the exact date is disputed, but the first card appeared between 1841 and 1845. According to the London Times which once attempted to settle the problem, credit should be given to John Calcott Horsely of the Royal Academy who was commissioned to produce a card for Sir Henry Cole, in order that Sir Henry might save himself the chore of writing a personal letter to each of his many friends. 

       It was a German immigrant who made Christmas cards popular in the United States. Louis Prang opened a small lithographing shop in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1874. He successfully worked out a process of making colored pictures for his cards and produced a series of simple floral designs which became immediately popular. Within a few years he was printing five million cards a year and had made Christmas card production his major operation. 

       The use of Christmas cards for tree decoration has also become popular in America. Small trees, decorated with cards, are now being provided by thoughtful people to hospitals and similar institutions to bring some of the Christmas spirit to those who must remain shut in during the holidays. 

       England is also noted for the food traditions it has brought to Christmas. 

       Henry VIII introduced the boar's head served with an apple in its mouth to the dinner menu. It was brought to the festive board in ceremonial style while minstrels and choristers joined in the presentation. The special significance attached to the boar, considered to be the most ferocious of animals, dates back to pre-Christian history when it was offered to the goddess Freya at the winter solstice. 

       Another ancient Christmas food of early English royalty was the peacock which was roasted whole and then redecked in its brilliant plumage. It was customary for the knights to take the "vow of the peacock" - by making their pledge of the year with their right hand on the peacock. Thus began the custom of making New Year's resolutions. 

St. Albans Mummers slay dragons on Boxing Day.

       Roast beef is now the traditional English Christmas meat and it was another English monarch who gave the name to one of the most succulent roasts. This was Charles II who, in a humorous mood, surrounded by his admirers at Christmas dinner, compared his affection for them to his fondness for a loin of good beef. With his sword he touched the huge roast before him and parodying the ritual of knighting, proclaimed: "I knight thee Sir Loin." Thus we have our sirloin steaks today. 

       Another favored English dish for Christmas was the plum pudding which originally began as a dish called "frumenty" consisting of boiled wheat, which was strained and combined with milk and egg yolks. Gradually new ingredients were added to spice it up but it was not until 1670 that it became the culinary achievement known in recent times. 

       The story of the origin of plum pudding has often been told. An early English king, hunting the day before Christmas, became lost in a blizzard and was unable to return to his castle. One of the members of his party, acting as cook, attempted to make the best of the meager provisions he had by throwing everything into the pot and cooking it together. This involved the remains of a stag, previously killed, flour, apples, dried plums, eggs, ale, brandy, and sugar. Tying the mess in a bag, he boiled it into a pudding and thus was acquired another Christmas recipe. So, at least, runs the story! 

       Mince pies were first known as mutton pies and were thought of as edible symbols of the gifts of the Wise Men in that their spices represented the choicest products of the East. They were first baked to represent the manger, with crossed lines on the upper crust symbolizing the hayrack of the stable. 

Mince pies are the favored treats to serve
during Christmas for dessert.

       The "wassail bowl" is another item of old English tradition, but actually it originated with the early Norsemen when the Princess Rowena, presenting a bowl of hot spiced wine to Prince Vortigern, saluted him with the expression "Wass-heil," which was a toast to his well-being. The prince responded with "Drinc-heile" in saluting her. Completely charmed by her beauty, he married the girl. So, today, we have the wassail bowl at our parties and potable toasts to the health of all present. 

       Although carol singing had its origin in several European countries in early times, it achieved a special popularity in the rural areas of England. Strolling groups of carolers, known as the "waits," moved through the village streets singing, and many of the carols still popular today were thus preserved. 

       Still another old English custom is that of presenting mystery plays at Christmas. These were given by actors known as "Mummers” because they were masked. As a rule they portrayed St. George slaying the dragon, or in pantomime they acted out the death of Nature by Winter and its subsequent renewal of life by Spring. 

       Such plays, and the masquerade costumes of the Mummers, have their origin in the Roman pagan celebration of the Saturnalia. The masquerade balls we still have in our country, and particularly the Mardi Gras celebrations, serve as a reminder that even our fun making has its roots deep in history.

• Eleven Christmas traditions that may surprise Americans by Adventures and Naps

A Strange Recollection of Christmas In Finland

A smoke sauna in Enonkoski.

       "Christmas in Finland begins with a bath. First the house is thoroughly cleaned, even washed. Then, as a part of the Christmas Eve preparations, the entire family takes a Finnish bath, known as the sauna. Perhaps steaming is a better description, for the traditional Finnish bathhouse is a separate building with three rooms. In one room are placed stones that have been heated until red-hot, and then water is poured over them to fill the room with steam. The next room is for rubbing, and the bather uses a small switch of birch twigs to strike the body and increase circulation. Before entering the third room for dressing the bather takes a roll in the snow for further stimulation. 

       Once everyone has enjoyed this traditional sauna, a light meal of barley porridge and almonds, with cream and sugar, fish, and prune tarts, ends the fasting. It is said that during this meal it is possible to see visions – the person one will marry during the coming year, or, if one looks out the window, someone who will die during the coming year. But this gift is reserved only for a few, and they must fast the whole day before, which may account for these apparitions. 

       Suspended from the ceiling over the dining table is a light wooden framework, covered with straw to symbolize the stable where Christ was born. Paper stars are hung from this fixture, and these, reflecting the light of the lamps and fire below, give a suggestion of the night sky as the family eats its simple meal. 

       Following supper, there used to be wrestling matches by the men on a straw-covered floor, on which the children would later sleep in imitation of the Christ Child. The women would blacken their faces and, dressed in men's clothes, visit their neighbors. No words were spoken on this occasion, nor would they accept any food. This odd custom was a commemoration of the Moorish Wise Man. 

       On Christmas day, the church services were held at dawn. Horse-drawn sleighs would carry the family groups to church making a wonderful sound as they sped over the crisp snow. It was customary to attach as many bells as possible to the sleigh for this occasion and the countryside itself seems to jingle merrily as the faithful gathered for the service. Each house on the way blazed with light from the candles placed in every window. 

       Following church, the sleighs raced home for the Christmas meal of ham or roast suckling pig with Lingenberry relish and other favorite foods. Dessert was a rice pudding with a single almond, and the one who found this in his portion could expect good luck during the coming year. 

       It is "Father Christmas" who generally brings the children their presents, but in some parts of Finland he is known as Wainamoinen from Kalevala folklore, or again as Ukko. He is represented as an old man with a long white mustache, a white peaked cap with blue trim, and a red coat. The legend of Wainamoinen is believed to have served as the prototype which Longfellow immortalized in his poem of Hiawatha . . . "

Christmas Traditions in Modern 

Finland by Sanna Vaara

Make Merry A Mexican Christmas and Tree!

Church of Saint Servatius decorated with papel picado.

       Christmas festivities in Mexico begin on December 16 and every home is decorated with flowers, evergreens, and colored paper lanterns in preparation for the great day itself. A representation of the Nativity, called the pesebra, is also prepared in each household. 

       Thus begins the posada, which means resting place, and commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph and their unsuccessful efforts to find a lodging for the night. 

       In some areas a group of villagers assemble and, carrying candles and chanting a song which asks for shelter, they go from door to door. But, of course, they are always told "there is no room." This tradition continues until Christmas Eve.

Colorful and intricate weaving from
 Mexico is often made into ornaments
for a Christmas tree.

       In many homes, the same ceremony is observed without leaving the house. Here part of the group of assembled friends and family members divide into two groups known as the Holy Pilgrims and the Hard-Hearted Innkeepers. Led by a white-clad figure representing an angel, the Pilgrims move through the house chanting, and the Innkeepers respond from a room designated as the inn. 

       After much coaxing on the part of the Pilgrims, who represent Joseph and Mary, the Innkeepers relent and the whole party kneels before the improvised altar with its pesebra and prayers. 

       Following this religious custom, a party is held with much singing, dancing, and games for the children. One of the features of this party is the traditional piñata. This is a large earthenware jar (olla) which has been fashioned especially for the occasion. It is disguised by means of paper and other decorative materials to look like a rooster, a bull, a clown's face, or whatever the maker may fancy. Inside the jar are nuts, fruit, and candy. 

       This is then suspended by a long rope from the ceiling and each child in turn is blindfolded, turned around a few times to confuse his sense of direction, and then given three chances to break the piñata with a stick. Since one end of the rope is controlled by an adult, there is considerable wild swinging to build up the excitement as the children flail away, but finally a lucky hit is made, the piñata shatters, and pandemonium results as everyone scrambles to pick up the goodies which have showered down. 

Lupita Dolls often decorate a Christmas tree.

       As in Spain, the children receive their presents on the Epiphany. 

       Mexico's contribution to Christmas in America is a flower - the poinsettia. It is known in Mexico as the Flor de la Noche Buena, "the flower of the Holy Night," and there are several stories about its origin.

       One is that a young girl, separated from her lover, died of a broken heart on Christmas Eve, and the blood drops which fell to the earth became the flower. 

      Another version is that as the people hurried to midnight Mass in the village church, carrying great armfuls of beautiful flowers to decorate the altars, they passed a small girl who inquired where they were going. On being told they were on their way to pay their respects to the Infant Jesus and that it was necessary to bring a gift of flowers, the little girl was heartbroken that she could not join them. But as her tears dropped to the earth, they were transformed into flowers of flame, which she gathered and brought to the Baby Jesus. 

A traditional Mexican tree would have a wide variety of brilliantly colored baubles!

Ornament Types in Mexico:

• Characters from the Bible/Nativity story crafted from clay
• poinsettia or Christmas flowers - felt poinsettia craft, a cardboard 'quilled' poinsettia
• piñatas shaped with into traditional Christmas symbols
• papel picado - colorful paper cut-outs from the Museum of International Folk Art (pdf)
• Mexican tin ornaments called "hojalata" or "lamina"
• Paper mache ''angelito" (angels)
• handwoven Mexican stars and pompom ornaments - stars woven with threads, star woven with yarn here
• Oaxacan Jicara ornaments
• floral painted gourds 
• LeLe Mexican Dolls made from paper mache
• Sarape hats and stockings
• mini sombreros
• woven palm "regalito" streamers - These come in a variety of styles; find them here.
• Guadalupe themed ornaments
• Mexican "milagros" ornaments
• colorful hand embroidered fabric ornaments - Otomi (Tenango)

Links to Collections and Customs:

• Las posadas mexicanas
• Mexican Themed Tree Ornaments
• Mexican Style Christmas Tree

Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett.

       The poinsettia was named after Dr. Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first American minister to Mexico, in 1825. Dr. Poinsett was intrigued with these "flame leaves" and sent cuttings to a nurseryman in Philadelphia, where it was named formally Euphorbia poinsettia, later botanically called Poinsettia pulcherrima. Credit for the propagation of the poinsettia in America is given to Albert Ecke, who raised the plant commercially on his farm near Los Angeles. This region in California is now known as the "poinsettia belt" and supplies the entire country with its plants. Several different varieties have been developed by the Ecke family and have been named after Albert and his wife, Henrietta. 

The Vintage 1950s American Aluminum Christmas Tree

An example of a aluminum table-
top Christmas tree
by EverySpoon.

       Aluminum Christmas trees were first commercially manufactured sometime around 1955, remained popular into the 1960s, and were manufactured into the 1970s. The trees were first manufactured by Modern Coatings, Inc. of Chicago. Between 1959 and 1969, the bulk of aluminum Christmas trees were produced in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Aluminum Specialty Company; in that decade the company produced more than one million aluminum trees. At the time they were produced in Manitowoc the trees, including the company's flagship product the "Evergleam", retailed for $25 and wholesaled for $11.25.

       The first aluminum trees could not be illuminated in the manner traditional for natural Christmas trees or other artificial trees. Fire safety concerns prevented lights from being strung through the tree's branches; draping electric lights through an aluminum tree could cause a short circuit. The common method of illumination was a floor-based "color wheel" which was placed under the tree. The color wheel featured various colored segments on a clear plastic wheel; when the wheel rotated a light shone through the clear plastic casting an array of colors throughout the tree's metallic branches. Sometimes this spectacle was enhanced by a rotating Christmas tree stand.

• See this historic artificial tree illuminated by color wheel at the Johnson County Museum.
• More history about aluminum specialty products . . .

1950s Ornament Types Hung on Artificial Trees:

• Shiny Bright baubles: with 'Saturn Rings', glitter stars, snowcap tops, greetings (Silent Night, and Merry Christmas), reflector balls, ombre color blends, bells, pinecones, tear drop shapes, atomic shapes, space age themes
• Silver tinsel floss
• Shredded snow or flocking - This was asbestos so we don't use that today, use paper folks.
• Color wheel alternative to string lighting for an Aluminum Christmas tree
• Bubble Lights
• Plastic novelty ornaments were also popular
• Spike or spear shaped glass tree topper made by Shiny Bright too
• General Electric large bulbs

Very Helpful Youtube Video:

• Making the vintage Christmas tree of my dreams by Kayla Payne - Wow. This lady alters two trees to create an authentic looking tree with fewer branches. 
• The Wellness Homesteader shares information about 1950s Christmas
• Man collects vintage aluminum trees by KPRC 2 Click2Houston
• The "Deadly" Bubble Christmas Light Explained by Silver Cymbal

Examples of ornaments available from the Shiny Bright company in 1958.
These glass ornaments came in brilliant colors and were a cheerful addition
to any Christmas tree in America.

Shiny Bright ornaments sold in catalogues and the "Wishbook" by 
Sears in 1956. Shiny Bright garlands and novelty ornaments are 
also illustrated here: boot, stars, snowmen, trees, reindeer, birds
Santa figures, bells etc...

In "The Bleak Midwinter" Carol

        "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a poem by the English poet Christina Rossetti. It was published under the title "A Christmas Carol" in the January 1872 issue of Scribner's Monthly, and first collected in book form in Goblin Market, The Prince's Progress and Other Poems (Macmillan, 1875). It has been set to music several times. Two settings, those by Gustav Holst and by Harold Darke, are popular and often sung as Christmas carols. 

       Holst's is a hymn tune called Cranham, published in 1906 in The English Hymnal and simple enough to be sung by a congregation. Darke's is an anthem composed in 1909 and intended for a trained choir; it was named the best Christmas carol in a 2008 poll of leading choirmasters and choral experts.

1872 illustration of Poem by Rossetti.

Lyrics written by Christian G Rossetti (1930-1894) In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan; Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone. Snow had fallen, snow on snow, Snow on snow; In the bleak midwinter, Long ago. Our God, heaven cannot hold Him, Nor earth sustain, Heaven and earth shall flee away When He comes to reign. In the bleak midwinter A stable-place sufficed The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ. Angels and archangels May have gathered there, Cherubim and seraphim Thronged the air. But His mother only, In her maiden bliss, Worshipped the Belovèd With a kiss. What can I give Him, Poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb. If I were a wise man, I would do my part; Yet what I can I give Him— Give my heart.