All The Ways Christmas Of The Past Was Pretty Terrible

Just because plenty of us think it’s the most wonderful time of the year nowadays doesn’t mean that was always the case. In fact, learning about all the ways Christmas of the past was pretty terrible might put things into a new perspective.

So how and why did things change? Why is it now supposed to be filled with magic and a time to give gifts to loved ones? While plenty can’t wait to see the festive season go each year, others might be grateful that we get to enjoy the festivities we do nowadays instead of the nightmares that were so often Christmases of the past.

Festive party games were pretty dangerous

Spending the holidays with our families is something plenty love to do in their own ways, with many having a host of festive games up their sleeves. Taking a trip back to Victorian Christmas could be enough to make us think twice about bringing old traditions back to life. That’s because they would play a game called Snapdragon that started by soaking raisins in drink. These would then be set on fire, with people in the game aiming to grab one from the bowl and shut it in their mouths. Don’t worry; if you did get burned in Victorian times, you could rely on spittle or potato peelings. 

Christmas caroling could be a violent and dangerous event

The idea of jolly carolers turning up at our doors is something to get into the festive spirit. What if you had to pay someone off with money or drinks to get them to leave? Amazingly, that was once the case, as caroling was all about getting what they wanted. At least, that was the case in Boston during the 18th century, with aggressive carolers taking to the streets each night. The idea was that people would arrive at someone’s house to sing or act out plays and refuse to leave until they were paid. What if someone refused? The carolers would pelt homes with rocks, throw punches, or even steal whatever they could.

Battling for Christmas breaks was a dangerous affair

For many, the idea of getting some time off for the holidays is the only thing that keeps us going. That wasn’t always the case, and some schools would go to extreme lengths to ensure they got to spend the day with their families. However, it was far from a harmless tradition. It usually involved students barricading themselves in the school and refusing to leave until the principal would grant them a holiday. If things didn’t go their way, weapons were fired, and fists were thrown, with some even losing their lives in the process. 

Christmas figures weren’t always so cheery and kind

Jolly ol’ St. Nic tends to be the one we think of when we picture the holidays. It turns out his character has changed a lot throughout the years, and it wasn’t just the idea that Santa would leave coal for naughty children around the world. Apparently, he would also leave a special rod so that parents could beat their children. That’s before even getting to Santa’s friends. Krampus is known to live across Bavaria and Austria, where he’s in charge of deciding who deserves gifts - and which children deserve to be whipped with sticks or get taken back to Krampus’ den.

It turns out Christmas of the past was pretty terrible, and things have come a long way since the days of terror. We guess the best many of us can do is hope that things never take a turn back to the past.