Charles Dickens invented Christmas

[masraum]

So that's who you folks that grumble have to thank.

BBC News - Charles Dickens: Six things he gave the modern world

Modern commentators have described Dickens as "the man who invented Christmas". Not obviously the religious festival, but the wider popular culture phenomenon that surrounds it.

In the early 19th Century, Christmas had become "scarcely worth a mention", according to critic and writer Leigh Hunt.

As an example, the committee of the Carlton Club, which ran the Conservative Party at the time, arranged ordinary business meetings on Christmas Day itself.

While Prince Albert is often credited with the revival of Christmas and the introduction of the Christmas tree, many believe that Dickens's popular depictions of the festive period became a blueprint for generations to come.

Specifically, the idea of a white Christmas - which was and still remains a relatively uncommon occurrence in much of the UK - appears in A Christmas Carol as if it happened each and every year.

[RWebb]

Carol??

got any pics of Carol in a naughty Santa's Elf costume?

[masraum]

Originally Posted by RWebb

Carol??

got any pics of Carol in a naughty Santa's Elf costume?

Is this what you mean?

[PorscheGAL]

Twas the Night Before Christmas was written first, in 1822. A Christmas Carol was written in 1846.

[red-beard]

Up until the 1830s, the Themes river regularly froze over and a winter festival was held. So, a "White Christmas" in London used to be much more common.

And let us not forget that the modern "Santa Claus" was an invention of the Coca-Cola company.

[PorscheGAL]

My son and I are reading a book, Stories behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. The first chapter goes through how the celebration of Jesus's birth on December 25th evolved. Very interesting. For a good portion of history, in England, December 25th was celebrated by mobs of poor raiding the homes of the rich. Charles Dickens stories certainly effected the way people thought of Christmas.

[Tobra]

No, that is Bettie, Carol is getting a bit old, does not do shows at the Condor Club any more