Christmas in Wales: Facts About Welsh Christmas Traditions
- In Wales, as in other parts of the UK, the day after Christmas is celebrated as Boxing Day. ...
- The traditional Welsh Christmas church service is usually between 3am and 6am on Christmas morning. ...
- Many larger Welsh towns have a Christmas market to celebrate the festive season in. ...
- Some Welsh families eat a goose on Christmas Day, instead of a turkey. ...
What are the origins of Christmas traditions?
The origins of popular Christmas traditions
- Christmas trees. As with many Christmas traditions, the first Christmas trees were found in Germany. ...
- Santa Claus. Santa Claus as we know him today was inspired by an early Christian saint called Saint Nicholas. ...
- Santa Claus. ...
- Cookies and milk for Santa. ...
- Gingerbread men. ...
- Gingerbread men. ...
- Christmas tree lights. ...
- Christmas tree lights. ...
- Tinsel. ...
- Advent calendars. ...
What are Christmas Eve traditions?
Christmas eve traditions vary from families, cultures, religions, countries, and individuals. In the US, many families usually prepare treats for Santa on Christmas eve while In France, families have a special meal called Buche de Noël on Christmas eve. The Buche de Noel is a sponge cake, rolled like a yule log.
What are some Catholic Christmas traditions?
On Christmas Day there are 3 separate masses that are held by the Catholic Church:
- The Midnight Mass – THE ANGELS’ MASS Held at midnight as Christmas Eve rolls over into Christmas Day. (Luke 2:1-14)
- The Dawn Mass – THE SHEPHERD’S MASS Held as the sun breaks the dawn. (Luke 2:15-20)
- The Christmas Day Mass – THE KING’S MASS This mass is held when daylight fills the day’s sky. (John 1:1-18)
Is Christmas based on pagan traditions?
The origin of Christmas is not found in pagan traditions as the true origin of Christmas is only found in the sweet infant who was born into the world to save us from our sins. There were many pagan traditions surrounding Christmas; however, Christmas never found its roots in these traditions. Why Is it Said Christmas Is Pagan in Origin?
What do they call Christmas in Wales?
Y NADOLIG (Christmas): The custom in many parts of Wales was to attend a very early church service known as “Plygain” (daybreak), between 3am.
What do Welsh people eat at Christmas?
Roast potatoes top the list as Wales' must-have Christmas dinner element followed by parsnips and meat gravy. Wales is the parsnip's biggest fan but Britain's is divided in its opinion on mashed potato.
What are some traditions in Wales?
10 Customs Only The Welsh Can UnderstandGiving a spoon as a token of love. ... Correcting anybody who calls them British. ... Celebrating beating the English in rugby. ... Why grown men cry over it. ... St Davids Day celebrations. ... Drinking is an unofficial national sport. ... Cheese on toast is prized dish.More items...•
What is Santa Claus called in Wales?
Siôn CornSiôn Corn: Is literally translated as 'Chimneypot John', or the 'bloke that comes down the chimney' and is the Welsh Father Christmas or Santa Claus.
What sweets is Wales famous for?
Wales is known for a number of tasty sweet treats, these include Welsh cakes, crempog and bara birth. Welsh cakes are super tasty and loved by many in and around Wales. They taste sweet and chewy, as they typically contain sultanas and are topped with a sugar dusting – delicious!
Can I eat out on Christmas Day in Wales?
Wales has plenty of places to eat on Christmas Day, covering everywhere from Cardiff and Swansea to Powys and Wrexham. But you'll need to be quick about booking, as the restaurants are filling up fast. We've rounded up a dozen eateries that still have availability.
What do Wales celebrate?
As recorded in the Laws of Hywel Dda, the three main holidays (gwyliau) of the medieval Welsh kingdoms were Christmas (Nadolig), Easter (Pasg), and Whitsuntide (Sulgwyn). Other important holidays were the feasts of St Patrick (Gwyl Badric) on 17 March; St.
What are 5 interesting facts about Wales?
Quick Fire Fun Facts About WalesWales is a part of the United Kingdom.The capital city of Wales is Cardiff.The population of Wales is 3.136 million people.Wales is roughly 20,800 square km.The currency of Wales is Pounds Sterling.Wales is a bilingual country, people speak both Welsh and English there.More items...
What holidays do people in Wales celebrate?
A year in WalesCalennig. This traditional custom sees children knocking on doors and singing festive rhymes on 1 January in exchange for small gifts. ... Gŵyl Fair y Canhwyllau. ... Dydd Miwsig Cymru. ... Six Nations Rugby. ... St David's Day. ... Diwrnod Crempog (Pancake Day) ... National Laverbread Day. ... Easter.More items...
How do you say Happy Christmas in Welsh?
1:275:07How To Say “Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” In Welsh - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's pretty much the same phrase. It's that Dalek shower first of all not Dalek not Dalek tryMoreIt's pretty much the same phrase. It's that Dalek shower first of all not Dalek not Dalek try briefly ee not all ink not Dalek second word is slalom.
What do you write in a Christmas card in Wales?
Here are some standard phrases too: Nadolig Llawen - Merry Christmas / Cyfarchion y Tymor - Season's Greetings.
What is a weird tradition around Christmas in Wales of the United Kingdom?
The Mari Lwyd translates as the Grey Mare and is a part of a pagan tradition celebrated in Wales around December time - though some regions wait until January. It involves a horse's skull, which is decorated with colourful reins, bells and ribbons. The creature is then wrapped in a white sheet and placed on a pole.
What is the traditional food for Wales?
Dishes such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara brith (literally "speckled bread") or the Glamorgan sausage have all been regarded as symbols of Welsh food. Cawl, pronounced in a similar way to the English word "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish.
What food do Welsh people eat?
Don't leave Wales without trying…Welsh rarebit. Providing etymologists with a headache for centuries – it was originally known as Welsh rabbit, though at no point was rabbit one of the ingredients. ... Glamorgan sausage. ... Bara brith. ... Lamb cawl. ... Conwy mussels. ... Leeks. ... Laverbread. ... Crempogs.More items...
What is the most eaten food in Wales?
Welsh Food – 18 Best Traditional Dishes as Recommended by a Local1 – Welsh Cakes (Picau ar y Maen)2 – Welsh Rarebit.3 – Welsh Lamb Soup (Cawl)4 – Glamorgan Sausages (Selsig Morgannwg)5 – Welsh Fruit Teabread (Bara Brith)6 – Conwy Mussels.7 – Laverbread (Bara Lawr)8 – Welsh Cheese.More items...•
What is the National Food for Wales?
Cawl, pronounced "cowl", can be regarded as Wales' national dish. Dating back to the 11th century, originally it was a simple broth of meat (most likely lamb) and vegetables, it could be cooked slowly over the course of the day whilst the family was out working the fields.
What is the New Year's celebration in Wales?
In the South Wales Valleys and Monmouthshire, Calennig was a New Year's Day celebration enjoyed by children. They would sing or recite rhymes door to door in exchange for bread and cheese, sweets or money, and carry an an apple or orange on three sticks, studded with nuts, oats, herbs and evergreen leaves.
Where do people celebrate the New Year?
Inhabitants of the Gwaun Valley in North Pembrokeshire still celebrate the New Year of the Julian Calendar, a calendar which was abolished in Britain in 1752 (hence Hen Galan: the Old First Day). Celebrations used to involve farmers brewing their own beer, and locals visiting each other’s houses; they still involve a feast on a par with the traditional Christmas dinner, and a trip to local institution, The Dyffryn Arms, known locally as Bessie’s, to quench the thirst.
What is a mari lwyd?
The Mari itself is a horse’s skull carried on a long pole by a person hidden under a cloak, led around by a gaggle of wassailers . Traditionally, this group would knock doors in their village between Christmas Day and Twelfth Night, and engage in a rhyming ritual called pwnco, in exchange for food and beer. Today, the Maris are also often seen, eccentrically decorated, in local festivals through December and January.
What do Welsh people eat on Christmas?
Some Welsh families eat a goose on Christmas Day, instead of a turkey. Also popular is making taffy, a traditional and delicious soft chewy toffee, made from butter and sugar.
What was the Welsh New Year's tradition?
During the late 19th century, drinking from the wassail bowl was a popular Welsh New Year tradition. An ornate bowl was filled with fruit, spices, sugar and warm beer.
Where did the name Boxing Day come from?
The name may have come from 17th century tradesmen and postmen being given a Christmas box.
What is the custom of the day after Christmas?
Holming. The day after Christmas was celebrated in early 19th century Wales with the unpleasant ritual of “holming.”. Thankfully now an extinct custom, the last person to get out of bed in the morning would be beaten with prickly holly sprigs. Ouch!
What is the traditional Christmas toffee?
6. Christmas toffee. Noson Gyflaith (Toffee Evening) was a traditional part of Christmas and New Year festivities in some areas of north Wales during the late 19th century. Families would invite friends to their homes for supper followed by games, making toffee (or taffy), and storytelling.
Can you unsubscribe from Christmas?
You can unsubscribe at any time. From midnight mass to carol singing, there are plenty of Christmas traditions that are firmly part of the festivities. But there are a few Welsh traditions that you might not know about.
What is the Christmas holiday in Wales?
Hence, the Christmas celebrations here are in adherence to the British observation of the festival. Christmas Day is celebrated here annually on December 25.
What is the traditional Christmas meal?
Gifts are exchanged later during the day. The Christmas meal traditionally consists of roasted turkey with different vegetables, followed by a delicious pudding. Christmas in Wales. Back to Christmas Around the World Main.
Why are there new carols every year?
Every year, new carols are submitted by thousands of enthusiastic carolers in the hope that their composition may be included in the list of popular carols already known and sung in Wales. During Christmas, many people gather in the public square for the announcement of the lucky one who would win the annual prize for submitting the best music for a new carol, and the formal pronouncement of it as the carol of the year.
Do Welsh people sing Christmas carols?
These are sung often to the accompaniment of a harp. Caroling is also done in individual homes around the Christmas tree.
What is the name of the Welsh lwyd?
Known most commonly as the Mari Lwyd, (in Welsh, Y Fari Lwyd) the name is debated.
What is the origins of Mari Lwyd?
At this time of year, there were many festivals that reflected the season’s dark nights coming to an end and the coming of spring.
What is a Mari Lwyd?
The Mari Lwyd is a horse skull, which is mounted onto a pole rather like a hobby horse, and draped in a sackcloth and ribbons.
Is Welsh folklore forgotten?
But in recent years there have been several Welsh projects and folk associations keen to keep the tradition alive especially in schools, which I like, folklore is a part of Welsh history that should never be forgotten.
What are the three main holidays in Wales?
As recorded in the Laws of Hywel Dda, the three main holidays ( gwyliau) of the medieval Welsh kingdoms were Christmas ( Nadolig ), Easter ( Pasg ), and Whitsuntide ( Sulgwyn ).
What is the Welsh New Year's Eve?
1 January: The Welsh New Year's Eve and Day celebration involving the tradition of giving gifts or money Calennig to celebrate the new year.
What is the Welsh day of love?
Celebrated on 25 January every year, Dydd Santes Dwynwen (the day of Saint Dwynwen) is the Welsh day of love much like St. Valentine's Day .
What is the patron saint of Wales?
The patron saint of Wales is St David, Welsh: Dewi Sant. St. David 's Day ( Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Sant) is celebrated on 1 March, which some people argue should be a designated national holiday.
What is the festival of 31 October?
31 October and 1 November: Winter's eve and the first day of winter. A Hallowe'en or Samhain -type festival.
Why is the holiday of 13 September celebrated?
The Holiday is celebrated annually on 13 September to appreciate his majestic works and his unique lifestyle of spreading and influencing cultures.
When is the first day of autumn in Wales?
Around 1 August: The first day of Autumn, a time of festival and drinking, the Welsh equivalent of Lughnasadh, or Lammas .
What is the Christmas holiday in France?
In many regions of France, Christmas celebrations start with the St. Nicholas day on 6th of December. On the Christmas eve, children keep their polished shoes in front of the chimney and hope that “Papa Noel” will fill their shoes with sweets. The 25th of December is a public holiday and families get together for the big feast with good meat and the best wine.The decorations in the house are minimal but now the British traditions are being taken up and the town centers are decorated with the Christmas trees and decorations.
Why is Christmas celebrated?
Christmas is the only festival which is celebrated all over the world in each country to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Each year this day of Christmas is marked with great enthusiasm and good spirit by people of all religions and regions. Even in countries where Christianity is not a majority’s religion has Christmas trees ...
What does Xmas stand for?
On the Christmas day, families get together for the feast after exchanging the gifts.On 26th people usually visit friends and families and exchange gifts. It is customary to send and give Christmas cards, on which some write ‘Merry Xmas’, where Xmas stands for Christmas and X signifies ‘Cross’. 9.
What is the Italian name for Father Christmas?
6.Italy: Buon Natale! In Italy, ‘Babbo Natale’ that’s how the Father Christmas is called in Italian, hands out the presents to the children on the Christmas day.But still in many families, gifts are exchanged only on 6th January that is the day of Epiphany. 7.
How many Santas are there in Iceland?
This place has got a very interesting tradition.There are thirteen Santas in the Iceland. These Yule lads, more troll like than our traditional Father Christmas, who traditionally come down from the mountain one by one on these days of the festive period and leaving presents or rotten potatoes depending upon the child’s behaviour.In Iceland, children put their shoes on the windowsill, so that the Santa Claus can fill their shoes with the goodies. Families get together here and visit churches for midnight mass.
Where does Santa Claus live?
In Netherlands, Santa Claus is called Sinterklaas. He doesn’t live at the north pole but in the sunny Spain and arrives by a steamboat with a helper called Black Peter rather than an elf.
Why do people go to churches for midnight mass?
Due to lack of fir and pine trees on this sub-continent, banana and mango trees are often used as substitutes for Christmas trees and mango leaves are used to decorate and brighten up the homes.Many of the traditions here are influenced by the western cultures like the Christmas trees and plenty of holiday sweets, including fruit cake, coconut filled pastries called ‘Nuereos’.And people go to churches for midnight masses to mark this big day.
