Christmas Traditions

With the popularity of DNA testing, we are finding out what our ethnicity is. A popular Ancestry DNA commercial starts with Kyle whose family tradition said they were German. When he gets his DNA test results back, he finds out that he is Scottish. He had to trade in his lederhosen for a kilt. How many of us have had this kind of surprise and had to readjust our views on our ethnicity? A fun practice during the holidays is to incorporate the traditions from our ancestral countries into our festivities.

I am, according to Ancestry DNA, 80% England, Wales, and Northwestern Europe. I did a Google search for Christmas traditions in England, and I found some fun ideas to incorporate into my festivities that will encourage my family to show an interest in their ancestors. I found the article “10 Ways to British Up Your Christmas Holiday” that had some great ideas. An amusing idea is to burn the letters written to Santa Clause so that Father Christmas can read them in the smoke. Crackers (wrapped tubes pulled apart) are a great custom too. These are readily available at the local stores. Wassail is a favorite drink during the English holidays. Another idea is to have the tree and the decorations down within twelve days of Christmas so that you will have good luck for the next year.

My next ethnicity is 9% Ireland and Scotland. Since I know that my Grandfather was half Scottish, I did a Google search for Scottish Christmas traditions. I found out that Scotland had canceled Christmas in 1640 and did not celebrate it again until 1958. I don’t think my family would enjoy this tradition, so I searched for Irish family Christmas customs. Irish traditions include putting a tall, thick candle on the sill of the largest window on Christmas Eve to give a welcoming light for Mary and Joseph. A round cake full of caraway seeds is an Irish custom too.

FamilySearch Blog has a great article “8 Holidays around the World” In Finland, at Christmas, they place a single lit candle in the snow next to the graves of their loved ones representing the resurrection of these ancestors. A great tradition. The blog ends with these words of wisdom. “The holidays we celebrate and traditions we practice are a significant part of what binds our families and cultures.”