"Jesus Christ birth in Bethlehem. The word “Christmas” is a shortened form of “Christ’s mass”. It is derived from the Middle English Cristemasse, literally “Christian mass”."
"Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on the 25th December."
"In Central Europe Christmas trees are decorated with candles, wax ornaments and gingerbread. In England people eat mince pies at Christmas. (Originally they actually were made with mince)."
"Christmas trees are first recorded in England. The decorations are pretty basic at this stage, and there is no tinsel."
"Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol at a time when the British were exploring Christmas traditions from the past, such as carols, as well as new customs such as Christmas trees. This novella has been very influent on christmas traditions and its democratisation."
"The first Christmas card is designed by the Londoner John Horsley"
"Christmas crackers are made for the first time by a confectioner named Tom Smith"
"The 25 of December became a public holiday in the United Kingdom."
"Thomas Nast’s most famous drawing, “Merry Old Santa Claus”, edition of Harper’s Weekly."
