Christmas then and now

Many aspects of Christmas, as we know it today in Britain, came into being during the Victorian Era. Christmas celebrations were much more modest before the 19th Century. However, when Queen Victoria married Prince Albert from Germany, he introduced German Christmas traditions - most notably bringing the first Christmas tree into the royal home. This tradition was quickly adopted in wider British society and Christmas became more centred around the family (TWAM). Christmas crackers were first made in the 1840s by Tom Smith, a London sweet maker; inspired by French wrapped 'bon bons'; he added a small motto or riddle, and the 'crack' when the wrapper was pulled. However, other customs in our celebration of the Christmas period may even pre-date Christianity. For example, during pagan times there were winter feasts and carol singing may have evolved from pagan songs, sung at the Winter Solstice celebrations as people danced round stone circles. The tradition of hanging Mistletoe goes back to the times of the ancient Druids, and its use in churches was initially discouraged  by the clergy. (whychristmas.com)