Christmas has always been a special and magical time for me, and growing up in the Northern hemisphere quite a different experience as to how the Christmas Festivities are celebrated here in New Zealand.

When we came to New Zealand in 1967 and celebrated our first Christmas, my Mother was quite insistent in keeping to the old ways – full on roast turkey with chestnut stuffing, cooked ham, home made plum pudding steamed, home made mince pies, home made Christmas cake and all made from my Grandmothers recipes – to be eaten indoors, as a sit down formal lunch, complete with crackers and party hats all in the heat of summer!

Then if that was not enough, after the Queen’s speech at 6pm – supper was served, cold turkey and ham, salad, home made pickled onions & gherkins, mince pies, Christmas Cake and copious cups of tea.

She would prepare weeks if not months in advance, pickling and baking – we used to practice “stir-up Sunday” which according to a very old tradition, everyone in the family had to help stir the Christmas Pudding mixture. This was thought to bring good health and luck to each family member in the coming year. The day reserved for this operation was the fifth Sunday before Christmas.

The Charmed Pudding – Do you remember when the Christmas Pudding would contain coins or charms? Now that puddings come ready made from the supermarket, we have almost lost one of the oldest Christmas traditions. When the puddings were made at home, silver charms and new coins were put into the mixture. Whoever found a charm or coin in their piece of pudding would have good luck in the year to come. This tradition dates right back to ancient Rome and the Saturnalia feast when it was the custom to place a dried bean inside a cake. Whoever found the bean was “King” for the evening, and permitted to order the other guests to make fools of themselves.

making the Christmas pudding

There are so many traditions that surround our Christmas Festivities – the specific colours used, the types of food eaten and why we decorate our homes with greenery and bring trees indoors to share space in our homes.

The Christmas Tree – Trees have played an important part in religion for thousands of years. The oak tree was sacred to the ancient Greek god Zeus and also to the Druids of northern Europe. In ancient Rome, evergreen trees were thought to have special powers and were used for decoration. In pagan Scandinavia fir and ash trees were often hung with war and hunting trophies to bring good luck; and as Christianity took over from the old pagan religions, it, too, made use of fir trees in certain ceremonies, not only at Christmas but also during Easter and at midsummer.

So when we decorate our homes with the plants of Christmas, holly, ivy, mistletoe and fir or pine trees, we are observing a tradition that goes back to ancient times.

Christmas traditions that have come down to us stretch back for thousands of years. Many are specifically Christian, but by no means all are. By understanding this rich and fascinating inheritance we can get much more out of our own celebrations. Christmas does not have to be a time when all we do is overeat and overspend. If Christmas is to remain a special festival, then we not only have to cherish the spirit of Christmas past but also add something of ourselves that will live on in the future.

We can keep the spirit of Christmas alive by creating our own traditions and customs within our family and circle of friends. It may be in small ways, like adding one new Christmas tree ornament every year to build up a collection as the years’ pass. Or it might be by adapting an old tradition such as “Stir-up Sunday” – where all the family work together on one part of the preparation for the Christmas feast.

The best tradition of all, though, and the true spirit of Christmas is to reach out to those who are less fortunate, make contact with a lonely neighbour, or a friend who is unhappy, or just someone who feels left out. But remember – although “Christmas comes but once a year” the spirit has to be kept alive for all 365 days.

What Christmas customs and traditions did you bring with you, when you came to New Zealand that you still practice today and if your family has been here for many generations what Christmas traditions have they passed down that you still observe? We would love to hear about your Christmas traditions, please share them on our facebook page.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!