In 1920s Christmas was described as “The elevating aroma of Christmas trees lingers in the air, whilst wreaths glisten and lights twinkle as a warm glow emanates from houses filled with stockings, candles, toys, good food and the hope of Father Christmas.”
Christmas traditions are a mixture of centuries and countries customs all woven together with a good dose of a festive spirit. Traditions are kept and passed down from one generation to the next. Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, lights, candles, goodies, toys, and Santa Claus or Father Christmas, stockings, ribbons, bows, nutcrackers, cookies, cakes, pies, nativity sets, train sets, Christmas villages, etc. Those who had electricity could string lights on their trees. The lights were made by General Electric’s “Edison Decorative Miniature Lamp Division.” The first bristle-style artificial tree was made by Addis Housewares Company in 1930, which they created using the same machinery it employed to make toilet brushes.
Brandy butter made its first appearance in the 1930s, as well as the custom of pouring alcohol into the Christmas pudding itself.
Britannia and Eve magazine from the 1930s commented that at Christmas it’s important to “Mix your guests intelligently at all costs. Don’t expect the loneliest young man to be quite happy without the assistance of some young woman, and vice versa… A sprinkling of children among the guests is excellent for the Christmas spirit. If they are a trifle boisterous, what of it? – this is the season of enjoyment.”
Christmas time is all about family gatherings, laughter and fun and the concept of good food and merriment.
Music
Paul “Fat Daddy” Johnson: Fat Danny (Is Santa Claus)
James Brown: Santa Claus Goes Straight to the Ghetto
Run DMC: Christmas In Hollis
Beck: The Little Drum Machine Boy
Ryuichi Sakamoto: Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence
Clarence Carter: Back Door Santa
Soul Saints Orchestra: Santa’s Got a Bag of Soul
Bing Crosby: White Christmas
Bessie Smith: At the Christmas Ball
Queen: A Winter’s Tale
Frank Sinatra: Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Bing Crosby & David Bowie: Little Drummer Boy
Bing Crosby: White Christmas
Frank Sinatra: Silent Night
Dětský Sbor: Svatou dobu již tu máme
Community radio midnight show Through the Bohemian Looking Glass is aired every night at midnight (GMT). A new episode is aired every Friday midnight on Wirral Wave radio or AirTime. Later on SoundCloud for some time.
Through the Bohemian Looking Glass 