Before the Reformation (1517), there was in Scotland and the north of England a custom of great but uncertain antiquity called "Yule-firth", i.e."Christmas Truce". Where this prevailed no criminal prosecution could be initiated in the week immediately preceding Christmas; and during the week next following all legal proceedings were temporarily suspended in honor of the feast.
Of the extent to which Yule-firth was observed we have no information; but something may be said in this connection of a strange custom at York, of which the earliest definite mention is found about the time of Henry VIII. On St. Thomas's Day the Sheriff made proclamation at the pillory that, during the Twelve Days of Christmas, all manner of thieves, gamblers, loose women, "and all other unthrifty folk be welcome to the town, whether they come late or early, in reverence of the High Feast of Yule"; on condition, however, that they kept the king's peace and submitted to certain police regulations. How long this custom survived is uncertain; but a writer in the middle of the eighteenth century refers to it as not long discontinued. "
It would be pleasant if we could accept as historic the very beautiful symbolism which a lady has lately read into the strange custom. Adopting the Neo-Druidic idea that the parasitical mistletoe represents man in his dependence on God, she associates the York invitation to all and sundry with the ceremonial placing of mistletoe on the altar in the cathedral; and sees in it an object lesson that only when man lays himself on the altar as ready for sacrifice, can pardon, freedom, and true life be fully enjoyed. But it is more likely, we think, that the authorities at York were of opinion that by giving these "unthrifty folk" temporary security against arrest, they might the better be kept under observation, and their depredations guarded against. Municipal regulation of vice, however, always has tended and always will tend to deterioration of public morals; and we can very well believe that the York proclamation, like the unseemly pranks of the Lord of Misrule, did much to prepare the way towards the austerity of Puritan reaction.
The Yule Lads are the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population in old Icelandic tradition; they all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing. They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on windowsills, but if the children have been disobedient, they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe.These Christmas-related folktales first appeared around the 17th century and displayed some variation based on region and age. In modern times, these characters have taken on slightly more benevolent roles.
The first mention of the Yule Lads can be found in the 17th-century "Poem of Grýla". Grýla had appeared in older tales as a troll, but had not been linked to Christmas before. She is described as a hideous being who is the mother of the gigantic Yule Lads, a menace to children.
Early on, the number and depiction of the Yule Lads varied greatly depending on location. They were used to frighten children into good behavior, similar to the bogeyman. The King of Denmark objected to their use as a disciplinary tool.
In 1746, the use of the Yule Lads myths to overly instill fear in children was officially banned, leading to the myths being made more benign.
In the late 18th century, a poem mentions 13 of them. In the mid-19th century, author Jón Árnason drew inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and began collecting folktales. His 1862 collection is the first mention of the names of the Yule Lads.
In 1932, the poem "Yule Lads" was published as a part of the popular poetry book Christmas is Coming (Jólin koma) by Icelandic poet Jóhannes úr Kötlum. The poem was popular and established what is now considered the canonical 13 Yule Lads, their names, and their personalities. Not all of them have folkloric roots, however, but those that do, I will include on later posts.
The day each yule lad appears before Christmas, Each yule lad's proper Icelandic name, the interpretation into English:
December 12 – Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote-Clod) - torments the sheep
December 13 - Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) - steals milk from the cows
December 14 - Stúfur (Stubby) the shortest of all the lads, steals leftover pie crusts
December 15 - Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) - the thinest of all, licks wooden spoons
December 16 - Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) - steals pots from kitchens to lick them clean
December 17 - Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) - hides beneath beds to find bowls to lick clean
December 18 - Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) - make noise
December 19 - Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) - loves Icelandic yogurt called "Skyr" but also loves gingerbread, cakes, pies and candies
December 20 - Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) - swipes sausages
December 21 - Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) -
December 22 - Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) steals a type of bread called "laufabraud" has a very large nose
December 23 - Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook)
December 24 - Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer)
There were originally more Yule lads than the standard 13 listed above and some of them were Yule lasses. Below are just a few examples.
Tallow Socks: She was a large old woman would steal the tallow (fat) and Christmas knitted socks.
Tallow Nostril: Her nose was large enough to store large quantities of tallow and also small naughty children could be stored there as well...
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.
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.
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:
Paint the entire surface of the walnut a pleasing red and set the nut aside to dry.
After the walnut is completely dry, draw dots or short slashes with the permanent ink marker to mimic strawberry seeds.
Download and print out our template for strawberry leaves.
Size these in a Word document before printing.
Place the pattern on top of the darker green felt scrap and cut out the bottom leaf, following the black outlined pattern.
Place the pattern again on top of the lighter green felt scarp and cut out the top leaf, following the white outlined pattern.
String both felt leaves together and tie also a large hoop for hanging.
Now glue the entire felt top to the top of the walnut using a tacky white glue.
Apply a little pressure to the top while the glue is drying.
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.
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:
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.
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.
