of Scotland's "traditional" Christmas celebrations (other
than the religious festival) originated in the 19th century (Prince
Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, had a lot to do with it!) and
so England and Scotland developed the same traditions from around
that time, Christmas trees, decorations, Santa Claus, presents,
stockings at the end of the bed, Christmas Carols, Christmas cards
etc. Christmas cards are said to have been invented in Great Britain
in the mid-nineteenth century.
or Yuletide, has never been celebrated in Scotland to the same
extent as Hogmanay. As might be expected there is a Yule Bannock,
which was divided into farls or quarters by the sign of the cross.
The bannocks were baked before dawn on the morning of Christmas
Day, and one given to each member of the family. If it could be
kept intact until the evening meal this augered good fortune for
the coming year. If broken, or nibbled, good fortune would be
broken too. However, this round bannock, like so many others,
has an earlier origin linked to the sun.
To Scottish Cooking