Forgotten Christmas traditions of the UK

If you’ve put up your tree and got the stockings out, then you are likely settling down for a traditional Christmas but have you ever considered the traditions that have fallen out of fashion?

Here are some of the festive traditions that have largely been forgotten in the UK.

Meat shows

While today we might head to the butcher or the supermarket to get all the meat ready for Christmas dinner, back in the day, there were meat shows in which butchers would come together to sell their goods. There were competitions with awards like Best Sheep and Best Cow.

Green Santa

We’ve all heard the stories that Coca Cola created Father Christmas in his recognisable red outfit, but did you know that he not only originally wore green but is actually based on two different people – both of whom have been around for centuries. One is St Nicholas, a 3^rd century bishop from Turkey who was known to wear red and travel around giving gifts to the poor. He didn’t want to be obvious about it, so he would drop coins and gifts down the chimney. Stories of his generosity came to Britain with the Norman invasion and merged with the existing legend of Father Christmas who existed in pagan stories. He wore green robes and accessorised with wreaths made of holly, mistletoe or ivy. Though he was said to represent the coming of spring, he was celebrated during pagan winter festivals.

Shoe the mare

This Elizabethan game took place after dinner at Christmas and would involve one of the family running around barefoot imitating a horse while the rest of the family would attempt to catch them – this one should make a come back, imagine the fun!

A mince pie a day

During the Middle Ages, people across Europe would eat one mince pie every day from Christmas Day until the 6^th January. The mince pies at the time were quite different to those we have today, so we’re not surprised this has fallen out of fashion. We’d happily bring it back if we could eat the mince pies of today.