12 Seasonal Essentials
THE FESTIVE SCENTS #9
THE QUEEN'S SPEECH #10
THE NATIVITY #11
THE CAROLS #12
Christmas simply would not be Christmas
without these traditional accompaniments.
#9 - THE FESTIVE SCENTS
Of all our senses, it is our sense of smell that is believed to be the most powerful in activating memories of bygone times. Little wonder, then, that many enjoy filling their homes with the scents of past childhood Christmases. From generation to generation, we pass down a tradition of using clove-studded oranges, bundles of cinnamon, eucalyptus and the fresh smell of pine to set a magical olfactory ambience.
#10 - THE QUEEN'S SPEECH
On Christmas Day, people across the land stop their activities to tune into HM The Queen's traditional annual message to her subjects. The time was chosen because in 1932 when King George V began the tradition, this was deemed to be the best time to reach most of the countries in the Empire live by shortwave radio from the transmitters in Britain. Today, the speech is pre-recorded and shown on television, but the importance of tuning in remains as strong as ever for most.
#11 - THE NATIVITY
As a charming re-enactment of the birth of Christ, this event reminds everyone of the origins of this most important of Christian celebrations. Earnest children dressed in makeshift costumes stumble through memorized lines, whilst adults hold their breath to catch every word, and parents smile or even shed a tear of pride.
#12 - THE CAROLS
Lilting lyrics are sung with gusto from door to door, around the piano or in church at Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The compositions bring people together in musical nostalgia, and everyone has their favorite carol, be it We Three Kings, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen or Silent Night.
Thank you English Home!
Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.
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