December 23
Iceland has so many wonderful Christmas traditions however some people are less fond of one of their more famous ones. Fermented skate is traditionally eaten on 23 December also known as ‘Þorláksmessa.’ On this day the shops stay open later and it is a tradition to share this delicacy with family & friends. It is definitely an acquired taste but is one that very good for clearing the sinuses.
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December 22
During the Middle Ages, rosemary was spread on the floor at Christmas because it repelled evil spirits. The scent drifted through the home and It was said that anyone breathing the fragrance on Christmas Eve would receive happiness during the coming year. I would love if this could happen in my home but I feel modern practicalities might reduce my enjoyment & the cat would eat too much of it.
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December 20
St. Thomas Eve was once one of a number of nights for divination. A popular ritual was to peel a “St. Thomas Onion”, stick it with 9 pins & put it under your pillow, hoping that you would dream that night of your future husband. A more determined form of the ritual was to cut the onion into four, whispering over the segments the name of the one you hoped/expected to propose. #Folklore #FoodFolklore #Foodways #FestiveFoodFolklore #FestiveFoodways #FestiveFolklore @folklore

December 18
Juniper is wonderful & not just because of gin: the branches offer protection & at midwinter, if you dream of picking the berries, there’ll be prosperity ahead. People once offered bread to the tree to encourage the tree spirit to heal small children.
At one time people would also pick an apple at harvest & save it to eat at the midwinter solstice to bring health.
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December 15
The Ceremony of the Christmas Cheeses is celebrated by Chelsea Pensioners annually by cutting a large cheese in honour of a cheesemaker who supplied cheese to feed the war veterans over the 1692 festive period. Cheese has been donated every year since by cheese companies all over the UK.
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📷 Royal Hospital Chelsea

December 14
Wassailing takes place around Christmas time in the apple producing counties: for a good harvest, cake soaked in cider is put at the foot of a tree & cider is poured round. Toasts are made to the tree & shotguns fired. This is intended to drive away evil spirits & wake the spirit of the tree into life for a new year.
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🎨 Henry Vizetelly‘s Christmas with the Poets

December 13
On this day I feel I must present saffron buns which are baked for St Lucia Day in several Scandinavian countries. These buns - (Lussekatter) are supposed to resemble cat’s tails wrapped around each other. St Lucia is celebrated as a symbol of light in the dark of the year.
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December 12
The people of the Nordic countries eat a special version of their rice porridge at Christmas. They put a solitary almond in the bowl on Christmas Eve. In Iceland, Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Norway you get a present from the Yule Lads if you receive the almond in your portion and in Finland and Sweden, receiving the almond in your means you will have luck through the year.
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