christmas – Page 2 – Manchester Historian

As department stores, supermarkets and other retailers grapple for the best Christmas advert, Alex Hulmes looks back to the original form of marketing at Christmas time: the shop window.

A medieval Christmas had both religious and pagan elements. James Brannan explores how Cristes Maesse was celebrated, referring to carolling, gift giving, and feasting.

While Christmas has come to dominate December for most of us, the winter solstice is the really significant day of this month. Tom Oliver discovers the modern and ancient celebrations revolve around this event.

While Chanukah (or Hanukkah) has been a Jewish festival for centuries, it did not become a major event in Jewish life until the twentieth century. Corinne Abrahams review the evolution of Hannukah, from nationalist celebration to Christmas competitor.

As the woman who brought us both Christmas trees and Christmas crackers, Victoria had more of an effect on your 25th December than you might imagine. Becky Hennell-Smith investigates Victoria’s fascination with Christmas celebrations, as well as the popularity that gave rise to the widespread adoption of these new traditions.