Christmas and its customs were in disfavour in England during the reign of Cromwell, but Scotland ignored the holiday far longer as "Christmas" is "Christ's Mass" and mass was banned in Scotland, where charges were brought against people for keeping "Yule" Amazingly, this dour, joy-crushing attitude lasted for 400 years. Christmas was seen as more for children and it did not become a recognised holiday until after WW2 and Boxing Day even later. (I think there were 2 days holiday at New Year in Scotland, whereas England had 2 days at Christmas and only one at New Year. When I was young Good Friday was never a holiday in Scotland either).
Christmas was eagerly anticipated by all as bringing some joy, light and colour to break the monotony of a long cold dark winter. Daylight was short. You went to work and school in the dark and it was getting dark again by 3pm. Most homes had a decorated Christmas tree hung with multicoloured "fairy lights". They were placed in a window to be seen by all. Street lighting was much less effective when I was young so the trees lent a touch of magic, and long bus journeys seemed very much shorter for children who took a side of the road each and competed to see who could count the most trees.
One of the first signs of the approaching festivities was the arrival in the shops of a particular variety of apple - the Cox's Orange Pippin. I still miss them! Oval wooden boxes of dates also appeared. Houses were decorated and paper chains, often home made, were strung across the living room. Holly was laid along the top of picture frames and was specially prized if it had lots of red berries. We all knew the link between mistletoe and kissing, but there was very little mistletoe around in Scotland. It tends to grow on oak trees further south in England.
On Christmas Eve we put out a glass of whisky and a piece of cake for Santa Claus and a carrot or two for the reindeer and hung up our stockings on the mantelpiece. However they were always waiting at the foot of our bed when we woke, full of exciting rustles and surprises, but always with a mandarin and apple at the toe. Many people went to an 11pm church service on Christmas Eve and sang carols (No sermon at this service). One memory I have is of many of the women wearing head scarves to cover the curlers in their hair, so they would look their best for the next day. The usually austere Presbyterian Church of Scotland was transformed by candles flickering in each pew and our church had a nativity scene at the front. At midnight the minister would proclaim "Christ is born!" and we all went out into the freezing cold, walking cautiously on the icy roads.
Most people went to church on Christmas morning, then returned home for a Dinner of Stuffed Roast Chicken or Turkey, Bread Sauce, tiny chippolata sausages, Roast Potatoes, carrots and Brussel Sprouts. This was followed by Christmas Pudding with Brandy Butter and a Trifle with a generous amount of sherry in the custard! Bottles of Whisky, Sherry, and Ginger Wine sat on the sideboard. We pulled Christmas Crackers and wore the paper hats. The meal was timed to finish by 3pm, when everyone gathered round the radio, later the TV, for the Queen's Broadcast. Children fortunately then had their new toys to keep them occupied as the adults generally snored gently in their armchairs for the rest of the afternoon......
Traditionally the day after Christmas was the day we went to the Pantomime. Shows such as Cinderella, Puss In Boots, or Babes in the Wood were not intended merely for children. The Prince was always played by a girl, and the big bosomed Dame was always a man, and there were a lot of jokes that fortunately went over the heads of the younger members of the audience!
Christmas was now officially over. The end of the year was fast approaching and in preparation houses were cleaned, windows washed and chimneys swept. Bills were paid and business completed wherever possible. New Year's Eve or Hogmanay was the Big Night of the Year... but that's another story!
Thanks to Dorothy Fraser.
