A very merry Sidedoor!
What is it about a mistletoe that says “smooch?” And what the heck is figgy pudding anyway? The holidays are here again, and with them come songs, foods, and rituals so familiar we may not think to ask where they come from … until now! In this holiday special, we track down the origins of some puzzling Christmastime traditions, jingling all the way from Norse mythology to Victorian home cooking, the Emancipation Proclamation, and even out of this world.
The holidays are jam-packed with traditions: from family lore and long-held community celebrations to seasonal sights and popular customs. The familiar glow of these cherished gatherings, decorations, songs, and desserts brings us warmth each year, but have you ever considered the history behind our holiday rituals?
Gather round this time on Sidedoor for a look at the origins of some puzzling Christmastime traditions. Along the way we’ll explore Norse mythology, hear the first song in space, and add a bit of fire to the festivities.
Speakers
- Margaret Weitekamp – Chair of the Space History Department of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum; curator of cultural and social history of spaceflight
- Ashley Rose Young – Food historian at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History
- Teddy Reeves – Curator of religion at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Jim Deutsch – Curator at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
- Sidedoor carolers – Stephen Wirth, Emily Howell, and Ashley Rose Young
Listen Now:
Links and Extras
- See the jingle bells and accompanying harmonica that were heard from space from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
- Explore the history of Watch Night with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
- Watch Night continues to be an annual tradition of music, fellowship, and reflection. Join the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture with your family and friends on December 31 for the virtual Freedom’s Eve: Watch Night Concert.
- Read more 19th century holiday tales and traditions, including the first known reference to kissing under the mistletoe, in Old Christmas by Washington Irving.
- While mistletoe is most associated with our kissing custom, the propagation and ecological role of this parasitic plant are fascinating in their own right. Smithsonian magazine has a plenty of mistletoe tidbits to share at your next holiday party!
- If you’d like to try the Victorian Christmas Pudding we made in this episode, you can follow the recipe as written in Mrs. Beeton’s Cookery Book or download this helpful one-page printout from the British historical food blog, Miss Windsor’s Delectables.
- Get a slice of figgy pudding’s history over the past millennium or so from Smithsonian magazine.
We hope you enjoyed this special holiday episode of Sidedoor. From all of us to all of you, have a festive and flavorful season aglow with your favorite traditions — cheers!
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Posted: 21 December 2022
