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The history of Christmas
Explore these expert history articles on the history of Christmas, from why we decorate Christmas trees, to who invented Christmas crackers. Plus, everything you ever wanted to know about how Christmas has been celebrated throughout the ages, from medieval feasts to Tudor festivities…
Did Charles Dickens invent Christmas as we know it today?
The history of Christmas crackers
MembershipaudioA curious history of Christmas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
What was Christmas like in the Victorian era?
6 Christmas party tips from the past. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
Carrots, goblins and killer frogs: an unexpected history of Christmas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
The history of Christmas food, historical recipes and more
Victorian Christmas: 3 recipes to try at home. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
A brief history of turkeys, plus why we eat a turkey dinner at Christmas
A Christmas feastThree historical festive recipes. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
The taste of Christmas past: 4 historical festive recipes. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
BROWSE MORE HISTORICAL RECIPES
The history of Christmas crackers
Christmas10 ways Christmas was celebrated during the First World War. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
Shop ’till you drop: a brief history of Christmas shopping. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
24 facts about Christmas in the Tudor period
Christmas carols: the history behind 9 festive favourites
A Christmas feastHow to make a Victorian smoking bishop. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
- 30 mins
- Difficulty 2/10
The con man who saved Christmas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
History quiz: Christmas with Henry VIII and his wives. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
Zwarte Piet: the history behind the Christmas controversy
Festive QI facts: 8 things you (probably) didn’t know about the history of Christmas
A Christmas feastHow to make Georgian Twelfth cake. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
- 6 hrs 30 mins
- Difficulty 8/10
A Christmas feastHow to make a Stuart mince pie. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
- 2 hrs
- Difficulty 6/10
QuizWhat should you gift the history lover in your life?
27 Christmas gift ideas for history lovers
The history of Christmas, plus 10 festive facts you might not know
A brief history of Boxing Day
How to host a medieval Christmas. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.
Q&AWhy did NORAD begin tracking Santa Claus in the Cold War?
What gift would you buy figures from the past? Find out in historical Secret Santa 2022
