Christmas Eve (December 24) is traditionally the
day for decorating churches and homes. It marks the
beginning of the period formally known as Christmas-
tide.
Christmas traditionally started at sunset on December
24. Our ancient ancestors considered this to be
Christmas Evening (or Christmas Eve).
An Exciting time for Children!
Night time on Christmas Eve is a very exciting time for
young children. It is the time when Father Christmas
(Santa) comes.
The children leave mince pies and brandy for Father
Christmas, and a carrot for the reindeer.
From 1870 children have hung up Christmas
stockings at the ends of their beds or along the
mantelpiece above the fireplace. Today, children still
hang Christmas stockings or bags up ready for Father
Christmas, who will hopefully fill them up with
presents, if the children have been good. The children
then go to sleep and wait for Christmas morning to
see if he has been.
Why do the children in England hang up
Christmas stockings?
Father Christmas once dropped some gold coins
while coming down the chimney. The coins would
have fallen through the ash grate and been lost if they
hadn't landed in a stocking that had been hung out to
dry. Since that time children have continued to hang
out stockings in hopes of finding them filled with gifts.
copyright of projectbritain.com
