Christmas lights

In 1917, a massive fire in New York City was attributed to the use of lit candles on a Christmas tree. A young 15 year-old named Albert Sadacca sought to bring an end to such tragedy and set about to invent electric Christmas lights for use on trees. He sold the lights at his family’s novelty items store. The first year they sold 100 strings of white lights. The second year they used brightly coloured lights and saw their sales skyrocket. Today, lights are available in all colours, shapes and sizes. Lights are used to brighten up almost anything!!!

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Holly

Early Christians placed evergreens in their windows to indicate that Christ had entered their home. Holly became widely used in Church celebrations as the bush with its red berries is considered by some as representing the burning bush. The Holly reminds others of Mary, aglow with the Holy Spirit. The red berries represent the blood drops from the cruel thorns in the crown of Jesus.

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Plum cake (Fruit cake)

Fruitcake had its origins in Rome where it was used as food to supply the armies that were far away from home. In early times it was actual law that fruitcake could only be served on certain holidays and milestones such as weddings. The tradition has carried on and today fruitcake remains a popular treat at Christmas. 

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Gifts

The giving and exchanging of gifts at Christmas is based on the story of the Magi who presented gifts to Jesus when they arrived at the manger. The giving of elaborate gifts did not become fashionable until the latter part of the 1800’s. 

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