Christmas is an occasion abundant in history and tradition. People around the world may observe this holiday in various ways but one thing is for sure, everybody is enjoying the best times of their life during Christmas. Most of us spend it with their friends and family, relishing each other’s company, remembering warm memories, and creating new ones.
They say that objects, good or bad, come in threes. Christmas has a lot of unique traditions but the three that are obvious are Christmas trees, fruit cakes and Christmas cards.
Each family has its individual secret formula in making fruit cakes that is well-kept and handed down from generation to generation. Around the world, fruit cakes have many varieties as the diversity in the ingredients included become evident. In the UK, for one, fruit cakes are richer in flavor and moist in texture than their American counterpart. Fruit cakes are also a part of the British Christmas tradition, mostly coated with royal icing and marzipan. They are then adorned with holly leaves, real or artificial berries, and other decorations commemorating Christmas.
Well, what is Christmas without the tree full of bright ornaments and lights? It is also a special Christmas tradition wherein the fathers and their sons go out and choose the tree and the whole household decorates it, with the unique privilege given to the youngest member of the household to place the star at the top of the tree. By tradition, the tree is installed and ornamented on Christmas Eve, December 24th and will be removed the day after twelfth night, January 6th. Coniferous trees and evergreens are the widely used trees and the firs, spruces and pines are the three most common species.
On the other hand, gifts and personalized Christmas cards are a way of life. Thus, Christmas would not be perfect without giving away and receiving a Christmas souvenir in one way or another. People use up lots of their time planning what to send their loved ones on this special occasion. It is also obvious to everybody that Christmas is the busiest shopping season of the year where individuals are more willing to splurge in the spirit of giving and of Christmas. Business Christmas cards are handed out by large companies to let their customers realize how much the establishment appreciate their support and hope for a healthier relationship in the future.
These are merely three of the Christmas customs that, whether we like it or not, we all anticipate each year. After the holiday season, after clearing out the clutter in the kitchen, after removing the tree, we are so thrilled for the next Christmas to come around again.
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