December 2013 – Page 3 – Manchester Historian

Megan Dina Garlick explores how the modern carolling has formed from medieval liturgical songs, travelling to wish friends good fortune, and the nineteenth century carolling which defines another current Christmas tradition.

As department stores, supermarkets and other retailers grapple for the best Christmas advert, Alex Hulmes looks back to the original form of marketing at Christmas time: the shop window.

A medieval Christmas had both religious and pagan elements. James Brannan explores how Cristes Maesse was celebrated, referring to carolling, gift giving, and feasting.

While Christmas has come to dominate December for most of us, the winter solstice is the really significant day of this month. Tom Oliver discovers the modern and ancient celebrations revolve around this event.

While Chanukah (or Hanukkah) has been a Jewish festival for centuries, it did not become a major event in Jewish life until the twentieth century. Corinne Abrahams review the evolution of Hannukah, from nationalist celebration to Christmas competitor.