The festive season through the years
Christmas might be an important religious occasion for you and your family , for others it is a time of celebration , a time to gather together , exchange gifts and have a good time . Not only is Christmas traditionally a time to celebrate , but followed by New Year , it also marks the holiday season . School and studying are over for the year , some businesses temporarily close and many people take annual holidays .
Australians celebrate the festive season during the height of summer while those living in the northern hemisphere have Christmas in the winter months .
The first European arrivals to the colony found Christmas Day in 1788 rather different . A special sermon was preached then most “ of the officers of the settlement were afterward entertained at dinner by the governor .”
Convicts had additional rations such as salted pork and flour while the military and public servants received extra provisions of fresh beef , fat and raisins . By 1815 Governor Macquarie deemed
Design submitted to John Sands Christmas card competition , 1881 . Courtesy Mitchell Library , State Library of NSW .
Christmas Day would be observed as a holiday , however , all Government servants were expected to attend divine service .
In years gone by , Christmas was observed reasonably simply . A few decorations , a pleasant meal with family and friends and attending a church service . It was reported in1888 , that the “ various churches were well attended during the morning , and in the afternoon three or four cricket matches were played .”
As the years passed , decorations became more ornate and gift-giving became more popular . During the nineteenth century , some homesick settlers recreated the Christmas traditions from their homeland ; yearning for family and friends , and a climate that was far cooler . Eventually Australians introduced some of their own traditions , such as decorating houses with native greenery like eucalypts , Christmas bells or Christmas bush , in place of holly and mistletoe .
Gifts as well as celebratory foods were advertised in local newspapers with stores creating festive displays in the shop windows . On Christmas Eve in 1888 , streets were filled with revellers . Crowds bustled in and out of shops and the hotels and streets were full . Local bands played to those gathering in the streets . Stores sold dried fruits for cake and pudding . A variety of gifts were available including the celebrated boxes of blended tea from Woodhills . Toys ranging from whistles to dolls , were available at bargain prices . Other items on sale to discerning shoppers were silk handkerchiefs , Christmas picnic hats and Christmas trees in all styles !
The custom of exchanging cards at Christmas between family and friends was established in the 1840s . It is believed the first Australian Christmas cards were designed by Helena Forde featuring local wildflowers . Uniquely designed cards showing Australian Christmas scenes were introduced in the early 1880s and printed locally by Gibbs & Shallard and John Sands .
Music has always played a role in festivities . In 1895 St . Matthew ’ s Anglican Church organised a special Christmas Carols Service for Christmas night . Musician Arthur Massey played the organ and was accompanied by six or so brass and stringed instruments . Mr Tout arranged the orchestral accompaniments .
Carols have also been popular . Songs were usually the traditional carols but in years gone by some uniquely Australian songs have been compiled . Titles include the Three Drovers , Six White Boomers and more recently the Aussie Jingle Bells by Colin Buchanan and the Australian version of Jingle Bells and a “ rusty Holden ute ”.
In the late 1940s and 1950s groups of carolers would gather on the flatbeds of trucks and sing their way around the district . The first Carols by Candlelight Festival was held in Sydney in 1946 , followed by Parramatta the following year . The Hawkesbury ’ s first Carols by Candlelight event was held in Richmond Park on 19 December 1954 . Over 600 people attended despite the inclement weather . Many businesses and organisations held celebratory events and gave presents to children . In 1952 Santa Claus arrived by helicopter to deliver gifts to over 1000 children at a special Christmas event at the RAAF base . Gifts were given to current and ex RAAF personnel . Santa Claus , along with the Richmond Chamber of Commerce distributed hundreds of gifts to children at Richmond Park in 1955 .
Attendees included 250 enthusiastic children from Scheyville Migrant Centre . Local businesses gave employees some additional benefits over the holiday period . Colo Shire Council allowed their ferry masters an extended lunchbreak on Christmas Day in 1960 . Normally provided with a thirty-minute lunchbreak , they received an hour !
On Christmas Day family and friends gathered together to celebrate . Many
The bushman ’ s dream ( 1869 ) by Samuel Calvert & T . S . Cousins . Courtesy National Library of Australia .
families attended church services and then joined to exchange gifts or share a special meal together . In the past , special foods were consumed , including salted pork or a pot roast , pies and whatever vegetables were available . Steamed Christmas pudding ( sometimes with small coins cooked inside ) and dark Christmas cake made with dried fruit made delicious desserts . A nip or two of rum or brandy finished off the meal . Meals mimicked traditional food from places such as Britain and Europe but more recently they reflect Australia ’ s multicultural population . Salads , cold meats and seafood , more suited to our hot summers , are now more popular .
Boxing Day was a day of relaxation usually with lots of outside activities including picnics , or some form of sporting event . In 1875 the NSW Government Gazette published that both the 25th and 26th as public holidays . Celebrating Christmas in summer has meant it is ideal to enjoy the outdoors with a picnic .
As the festive season approaches , we wish you peace and happiness now and for 2023 , and time to enjoy with family and friends .
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