Page 24 - Thrapston Life December 2022

EVERGREEN
CHRISTMAS
Traditional festive garlands
Think of Christmas and I guarantee your thoughts will quickly flit to an evergreen plant. Twinkling Christmas Trees decorated in our homes, carols and songs about the
holly and the ivy, or wreaths hung on
front doors.
Christmastime was made fashionable by Queen Victoria’s husband Prince Albert, who brought this German tradition to our shores. Today of
Many of the traditions we associate
with Christmas today have roots
reaching far back into history.
Midwinter celebrations were held
around the winter solstice, marking
the longest night of the year, and
welcoming the slow return of more
sunlight. The tough green leaves of
evergreen plants along with their colourful fruit and berries gave hope that winter would indeed end. Spring and growth would again return.
Bringing cut fir trees indoors to decorate at
Wreaths adorning doors can be traced as far back as Roman and Greek times
course, the Christmas Tree is the focal point of celebrations in our homes. Some say their conical shape points upward to heaven. The choice of trees today is endless from both real and faux, but I personally love the smell of a real Christmas Tree.
Before the Christmas Tree became ‘de rigour’ in Victorian times, the Georgians decorated their homes with a Kissing Bough. A sphere covered
in available greenery was hung in the home. Covered in ivy and holly, inside hung red apples and candles. Below, a bunch of mistletoe was tied. Apparently, no lady passing underneath
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