![]() A giant double hoop of mistletoe usually took pride of place in one's living room. Holly, ivy, and mistletoe had long been admired by the Celts and were associated with protection against evil spirits and fertility. Winter foliage was available, and greenery was gathered to decorate the house with garlands. From the night of Christmas Eve (24 December) to the Twelfth Day, Epiphany (6 January), people took a much-needed rest, largely thanks to the lull in agricultural activity mid-winter.Ĭhristmas preparations began in the home of the poor as well as the rich. It was the longest holiday of the year, typically the full 12 days of Christmas. Or Robert Alexander Hillingford (Public Domain) A Medieval Christmasĭuring the medieval period (500 to 1500), the celebration went from strength to strength. It all sounds rather familiar, does it not? The festival was pushed later in December over time, and just as Athens' Parthenon had to bear a church and bell tower within its columns, so, too, Saturnalia, one way or another, morphed into the Christmas celebration. Social restrictions were eased a little, and activities like gambling or appearing drunk in public were less frowned upon. Less formal clothes were worn, games played, feasts enjoyed, and there were even role-reversal parties. Saturnalia involved giving to friends and family gifts like candles, coins, and food. The festival, which dates back to the 5th century BCE, was described by the 1st-century BCE Roman poet Catullus as "the best of times". The fact that this was the merriest of all Roman holidays probably derived from Saturn's role as a ruler when the world was basking in a golden age of happiness and prosperity. ![]() Saturnalia was a week-long Roman festival held between the 17th and 23rd of December that honoured the agricultural god Saturn, nicely encompassing the winter solstice, another event of significance in the pagan calendar. ![]() Winter foliage was available & greenery was gathered to decorate the hoMe with garlands.
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