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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1985-12-04, Page 47Listowel Gift Guide, Wednesdr In, f 4 1985—Page 15 Christmas BY DEBI Simple observances and customs are an impor- tant part of our Christmas history. Reflecting on the past invokes images of a gentler time when life moved more slowly and Christmas was celebrated quietly in the fellowship of family and close friends. Christmas in Canada has been celebrated for more than three centuries. Two themes are com- mon whenever Christmas is mentioned in the jour- nals or diaries of early settlers: the religious impor- tance of the day and the joy of a good meal shared with one's family and friends. Settlers brought with them the memories and tra- ditions of celebration from their country of origin. Those in larger centres, such as York (now To- ronto), circa 1800, might have feasted on a menu that included soup, roast beef, boiled pork, turkey, plum pudding and mince pies. Weeks before Christmas, children would experi- ence" the anticipation of the event heralded by the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. As raisins and sugar were hard to come by, set- tlers hoarded these precious ingredients for their st CUSHING Christmas baking months in advance. Early settlers in isolated areas such as Perth County often were unable to participate in a church service or visit with friends and neighbors. As a result, they might have celebrated the day singing traditional hyms and songs with their im- mediate families and eating special Christmas dishes. Most confections and sweetmeats served at the end of the meal were made at home. In general, they were prepared a few days before Christmas and stored high and dry — away from children and mice. Details of decorating customs in Canada, prior to 1850, are rare indeed. In the "Canadian Settler's Guide" (1855), Cather- ine Parr Traill tells of going out to collect winter- green laden with red berries to hang over the man- tle and picture frames. In 1855 Canadian homes and churches were being decorated with evergreen boughs, high bush cran- berries and black alder. Christmas tree After 1850, the- Christmas tree, an old German tradition and particularly popular with the Royal Family, became the most important decoration. Early decorations were hand -made and often edible. Nuts, apples, cookies and small cornucopias filled with candies were common decorations for the tree. By the 1860s popcorn on a string was being used and, by the end of the century, cranberries had been added. Other possibilities included paper chains, small flags, ribbons, dried seed pods and small toys. Children of early settlers would awaken on Christmas morning to find one of their woollen stockings filled with mostly practical items. Gifts were home-made and given to only close family members. A cherished treasure for a girl might have been a hand -carved wooden doll and, for a boy, a wooden ball -in -a -cup toy. `7. A stocking might also contain a muffler, mittens or socks but the most succulent treat of all was the orange at the toe of the stocking. Citrus fruit was hard to come by and even the peel would later be candied for the enjoyment of all. Christmas cards The first Christmas card is considered to have been created in Britain by John Horsley in 1843. Two factors were crucial in the success of the Christmas card. In 1870 the British. Post Office in- troduced the half -penny stamp, making cards rela- tively inexpensive to send. About the same time, the process of chromolitho- graphy made the economical mass production of cards printed in colors a reality. By 1881 Ontario post offices were reporting a brisk trade in the mailing of Christmas cards. •