We are almost there, mates!

Christmas and New Year’s Day is just around the corner. And, it’s likely that you’ve moseyed all along the way with a belly full of food: candies, and cakes and chocolates oh my!

But this year, magnificent mates, it’s time to live better. It’s time to lace up those boots and prepare for an end of year sprint that for once won’t leave you breathless on the couch.

No, this year, instead of hiding your head in the gravy bowl, it’s time to shine at the dinner table. This year, the life of the endless parties will be none other than… you!

And why is that, you ask? Because instead of candy in your pocket, this year you’re packing golden anecdotes that will bring all attention onto you, you ace of a chap, you.

 

1/ THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS 

 Let’s start at the beginning. Did you know that good old Santa Claus draws his roots from Saint Nicolas? Saint Nicolas is largely celebrated on December 6th in certain Eastern countries like Russia, but also in France, notably in the Alsace-Lorraine region.

Saint Nicolas was known for bringing gifts to wise children, while the Bogeyman was known to deliver coal to naughty ones. It was only in 1821 when the American poet, Clément Moore, wrote a poem about a bearded man distributing gifts to children all around the world that the legend of Santa Claus as we know it was born…

 

2/ CHRISTMAS BALLS ARE THE NEW APPLES 

In the 16th century, residents of the French Alsace region decorated their Christmas trees with flowers, apples and candy. But, in 1858, harvesting apples become a catastrophic feat, and a glassblower came up with the idea of replacing them with red balls. How do you like them apples?

 

3/ JESUS WASN’T BORN ON DECEMBER 25th 

Oh really, you ask? I’ve lived a lie until now???

In reality, it is difficult to estimate the true birth of Jesus Christ, even if historians place it around the springtime.

It was in the 4th century that the nativity date was fixed on the 25th of December by Pope Julius the 1st. The date corresponds to the rituals of the Roman Saturnalia — the holiday the Romans celebrated at this time of year.

 

 

So, you marvellous mate, you! You now have the edge up on those around you. You’re ready to sparkle and shine! Which story will you tell first?