Wassail: Drink Recipes

Originating in the southwestern counties of England, wassail is a traditional Yuletide beverage heard mentioned in numerous Christmas carols such as “Here We Come A-Wassailing.”  Traditionally used as a beverage for making important ceremonial toasts, wassail itself is derived from an Old Anglo-Saxon toast wishing “good health.”  Wassail is commonly made from a variety of [...]

Here We Come A-Wassailing; The Roots of a Christmas Tradition

It’s not Christmas without Christmas carols.  Many of our most traditional carols are filled with lyrics and lines that leave the modern caroler bewildered.  One of my favorite holiday tunes is “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” also commonly known as “Here We Come A-Caroling.”  Just what is wassailing?  Is it just an archaic word for Christmas [...]

Eight Christmas Characters Most Americans Don’t Know

Santa Claus is the American face of the Christmas season popularized most heavily by the poem ‘Twas the Night before Christmas which essentially codified the Santa tradition.  He is based heavily off of the earlier European models Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Old Man Winter, and of course St. Nicolas.  The poem took these old world variations [...]