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19
Dec
Ten families each share one of their festive traditions
Christmas is all about spending time with loved ones and making memories.
And all over the world, part of these memories are often steeped in history or traditions that are made or passed down through the generations, making this time of year so very special.
Many festive traditions vary by country and religion – for example, did you know that Spain doesn’t traditionally have Santa Claus? Instead, children wait for the arrival of the Three Wise Men who bring presents on the night of January 5, during the Epiphany celebration. And instead of leaving a stocking out, they leave their shoes to be filled with gifts.
Meanwhile, in Norway, Christmas Eve is said to coincide with the arrival of evil spirits and witches, and in a bid to protect themselves, families hide all their brooms and mops before they go to bed. And did you know that the traditional nativity scene originates from 10th-century Rome?
As well as these historical, archaic and somewhat outlandish traditions, there are many festive traditions in Harrogate, Ripon, Pateley Bridge, Masham and Boroughbridge that are entirely unique to families that they partake in each year.
The Stray Ferret spotlights these and speaks to 10 people to find out more about what their festive traditions are.
A Christmas Eve festive food tradition
Amy Peral describes a festive tradition that has been passed down through three generations of her family:
When I was a kid, we never had takeaways, but every Christmas Eve my mum would always drive to collect one – surprisingly, you couldn’t actually get many takeaways delivered back then – and we’d always have sweet ‘n’ sour chicken as one of the dishes.
I don’t remember where it came from or why it started, but we still do it today, and now my own children also get to enjoy it. My daughter especially loves tucking into the spare ribs!
Tree decorations from around the world
Nichola West of Global Mouse Travels tells The Stray Ferret how she has incorporated her and her family's love of travelling into Christmas festivities:
We love travel, and every place we visit, we pick up a Christmas decoration from the country or city. We have a separate 'travel tree' that is filled with memories of all our holidays and trips.
Every year it's such a great experience to open the box of all the special decorations, dating back to when the children were babies and telling their own story of all the family holidays we've had.
Nichola's son hanging one of the decorations from the tree.
A Boxing Day activity
Lucy Britton tells us about what her family gets up to the day after Christmas Day:
Every year we go with all of the family to Fountains Abbey on Boxing Day. Not many people know that it’s the one day of the year it’s free if you go in before noon.
It’s very festive, a good day out, and the opportunity to burn off some of the calories from Christmas dinner!
Fountains Abbey.
Keep an eye out for our article on seven post-Christmas walks in and around the Harrogate district that will be published on Christmas Day.
Table presents
Rosy Weemes recalls one of her fond childhood memories on Christmas Day:
Growing up, my family celebrated Christmas at my grandparents’ house in Harrogate each year.
And despite opening presents in the morning, they’d always make sure to leave a small extra present on everyone’s plate for us to open before Christmas dinner was served.
Table presents to open before Christmas dinner.
Festive antics
Sarah Knight describes that even though her children have grown up, they still very much get involved:
My festive tradition includes going Christmas tree shopping with my kids, who are 18 and 22 years old.
First they battle over which tree to get, then they still fight over who gets to put the star at the top of the tree despite their age!
Sarah Knight's daughter making a stance on which tree she prefers.
A crafty twist
Freelance writer Alice Elizabeth, who has been exploring Harrogate for her Agatha Christie biography that will be published by 2026, shares one of her stories that she started with her partner almost a decade ago:
My husband Jon and I met in Dubai, and while we celebrated Christmas over there, there were no real Christmas trees. In 2016, after moving back to the UK, we wanted to start a new family Christmas tradition with our eldest daughter, Jenny and new baby daughter, Hazel.
I've always loved real Christmas trees, so we decided this would be our new little family tradition. Jon always cuts the bottom off the tree so it can stand in water (to make it last longer), and I noticed it was a lovely shaped slice.
It's dried out over the Christmas holidays, and in the New Year I write the date on it and varnish it. We haven't decided how to display them yet, so for now they line up on a windowsill every year.
Games galore
Instead of a traditional Christmas afternoon board game or a game of charades, Becky Slack describes one of her family's traditions:
Every year since my sister and I were little, our dad has made us a treasure hunt. He writes riddles on strips of paper that we have to solve to find prizes. These riddles take us all over the house: we're often looking in the washing machine or rummaging in the towel cupboard looking for the prize and the next clue.
The prizes are silly things like a roll of sellotape or packet of tissues. We do it every year – even though me and my sister are now in our 40s – and we are very competitive! Every year my sister cheats (something she vehemently denies) and wins!
Becky Slack and her sister with some of the bounty from the festive treasure hunt.
A moment of calm
Barbara Copperthwaite shares with us a tradition that brings a much-welcomed chance to sit down and share a festive story:
My mum and I read short stories aloud to each other on Christmas Eve. They are either festive ghost stories or Christmas crime fiction.
It’s something we have done for years, and I always look forward to it, as it’s a wonderful pause from all the rushing around.
Barbara and her mum read festive stories to each other.
Many hands make light work
Karen Morledge's family all get together a few months prior to December to make one of the festive staples:
Every year during October half term, all four generations of my family come together to make our Christmas puddings. Each is made to the same recipe from my mum’s Cordon Bleu cookery book she has owned for over 50 years.
We all get involved; from the children cutting the glacé cherries to the adults grating the oranges and each take turns to make a wish on the stir of the mix. It’s such a big batch that we use a washing up bowl for the mixture. There’s usually around 10 or more of us and we make approximately five large puddings.
We always hide a lucky silver sixpence from my grandmother in the pudding once it’s cooked for someone to find on Christmas Day. This year will be poignant as it’s our first Christmas without her.
A handmade touch
Rachel King details her family tradition that has been passed down through the years:
My mum handmade our Santa sacks for me and my sister when we were kids, and she still puts them out even though we're in our 40s.
She's also now made sacks for her grandchildren that we use.
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