Birches Residents Learn the Surprising History of Christmas Traditions

Have you ever wondered why you kiss under the mistletoe? Or put lights on your Christmas tree?

On December 8, residents of The Birches Assisted Living learned the history behind these popular holiday traditions from a special guest. Historical impressionist Martina Mathisen dressed up as Mary C. Moore Ogden, the daughter of “The Night Before Christmas” author Clement Moore, to share a bit of Christmas history with The Birches community.

Although the real Mary C. Moore Ogden died in 1893, Birches residents witnessed the next best thing—Mathisen dressed in full nineteenth century costume to talk about Clement Moore’s famous poem and how it initiated many of the Christmas traditions we’ve come to love.

“We think our Christmas traditions started millennia ago, but a lot of them were originated in this really short 25-year period of time. And it all started with that poem,” said Mathisen.

Moore’s poem, for example, is largely responsible for the modern depiction of Santa Claus. Moore was the first one to depict Santa as “a jolly old elf” with rosy cheeks and a belly that “shook like a bowlful of jelly.” He was also the first one to popularize and name Santa’s eight flying reindeer.

Although kissing under the mistletoe and hanging Christmas lights don’t originate from Moore’s poem, they do have roots in the same time period. Mistletoe kissing was popularized by nineteenth century stories like Washington Irving’s “Christmas Eve “and Charles Dickens’ “The Pickwick Papers.” And in 1832, Harvard University professor Charles Follen became the first American to light up his Christmas tree by decorating it with candles. Electric tree lights debuted at the end of the nineteenth century on President Grover Cleveland’s Christmas tree.

Mathisen created her Christmas program to share the important role Moore’s poem and this period of history played in our current Christmas traditions, and to help people understand why we do what do during the holidays. She also wanted to give Birches residents and other audience members an opportunity to reminisce about their own Christmas traditions and memories.

“When we talk about Christmas, my audience talks about their stories, their family traditions and it’s just a joy,” said Mathisen. “They start to think about their Christmases, and they share some of those memories with me. I love that.”

The Birches Assisted Living in Clarendon Hills, Ill. offers professional services to support the physical, social, intellectual and spiritual growth of the older adults who make it their home. The Birches offers purposeful programming and activities designed to promote a healthy aging lifestyle and a strong sense of community. For more information about The Birches, call 630-789-1135 or visit: birches.net.