Tag Archives: European holiday traditions

Another Fun Tradition – Christmas Crackers

Christmas Crackers are essential to many British families Christmas celebrations. They were invented in the mid 1800’s. I remember being about eight the first time I read about crackers without prizes inside. I couldn’t figure out how or why people would do that to a saltine. The cracker is actually a cardboard tube wrapped in holiday paper. Inside the tube is a folded tissue paper hat, a small toy or two and a joke. Some people say the paper hats are crowns that symbolized the Three Wise Men. There’s also a strip of cap gun paper attached. Two people pull … Continue reading →

Fun traditions – Peppermint Pig

Holidays are filled with traditions. But no one says you can’t borrow traditions from other families or cultures. Particularly if you want to spice things up a bit. Here’s a fun tradition that my family borrowed. My brother-in-law introduced us to the peppermint pig at least a decade ago. He’d seen it in a catalog and thought we should try it. The peppermint pig started in Saratoga Springs, New York in the early 1880s making this tradition over 120 years old. The pig is a symbol of good health, happiness, and prosperity. This hard candy pig is a little smaller … Continue reading →