Northern England
Christmas Traditions
Some dating from 300 + years ago,
all at least a 100 years ago.
Have home decorated.
especially with candles, holly and ivy;
Set table with the best dishes
and goblets or glasses that you have;
To add to festivity wear best party clothes;
Gather framed photos of loved ones not with you and place on table or around room,
(to remember them and be with them for the evening);
Pull English Christmas crackers, read jokes
and wear the party hats that are enclosed.
Turn off all lights except Christmas lights
on tree and decorations;
Have candles on table lit by guest with darkest hair
for good luck.
Bless food!
Serve frumenty first. A cereal dish made of equal parts cracked wheat or sometimes barley and
cream and milk. Sweetened to taste. Baked in low oven during the day until it becomes gel-like,
similar to oatmeal. Include a bit of salt
when baking to develop the tastes.
Frumenty reminds us of how our ancestors used to have only frumenty for their supper. We are now very blessed.
Serve tea and sandwiches decoratively cut in triangles - some made with ham, others made with egg salad;
Serve sausage rolls, cheese biscuits (crackers);
When savouries are eaten enjoy sweets;
Mince tarts, jam tarts, maid of honour,
butterfly cakes and yule log cake,
(recipes found in any good English cook book);
Mince tarts, for each one that you enjoy during the 12 days of Christmas you will be ensured
one good month in the coming year.
NOW serve ginger wine or wassail for toasting.
When all have toasted, serve a small slice of
English Christmas cake with a slice of
good English cheddar cheese;
The cake should be cut by a different guest
with the darkest hair for good luck;
All should taste the Christmas Cake to bring good fortune on the household for the coming year.
