THE THOMS SUNDAY TRAVEL SECTION
Earlier, we were talking about a feeling of Old Europe Christmas in the United States, and we mentioned several Bavarian and German locations.
But are they the only regions of the old world with outposts in the new world? Au contraire.
The British Inspiration Is Coming
We know about Jamestown dating from 1607, although very little of Jamestown or its British Christmas traditions remain. However, in Williamsburg Va, they have been celebrating Christmas since 1699 and still do today.
The Christmas of the 1700s was going to church, eating a special dinner and probably a dance after the meal.
St. Nicholas did not show up until the 1800s, and he was from Germany and Holland.
Clement Clark Moore wrote the 1823 poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas, giving Santa his description down to his belly.
Then Thomas Nast’s portrait of St Nicholas around 1860, gave Santa the profile we know today. So we have some American Christmas traditions from the Brits. Historic Williamsburg can give you a glimpse into a British influenced Christmas through the centuries.
French Influenced Christmas
Head down the Mississippi towards the Gulf of Mexico.
Natchitoches (Nack-a-tish)
In the central to the northwest part of Louisiana is this incredible secret, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase Territory. There are descendants from Canadian French, some from the French Caribbean, as well as other early settlers. For close to 100 years, the city has hosted the Annual Festival Of Lights. This once one-night event now runs from Thanksgiving until January. It is French-influenced but 100% Louisiana in style.
New Orleans Inspiration
A happy place year-round, did you know that Mardi Gras is not the only time of the year when Nola elevates the fun? During the holidays you will find unique traditions, local-inspired decorations, and the food, somehow they pull the stops out there as well. There are even decorations on the streetcars and steamboats.
Bonfires, to help guide Papa Noel (Santa) on his flight, are lit along the levee. Other treats include carols by candlelight in Jackson Square or a ride through City Park. Here you can see 25 acres of holiday displays, including live oak trees drenched in lights.
Reveillon (‘rĕ -vē -ŏn) is French for “awakening” and is a Creole dinner dating from the 1800s. The Creole families would fast all December 24th before midnight mass. Returning home early Christmas morning, they would sit down to this feast good enough to honor a King. Luckily for you, many restaurants now offer Reveillon dinners earlier in the evening during the season. FAsting beforehand is still a good idea.
Cajun County Inspiration
From the Noel Acadian Village in Lafayette to Lake Charles, Abbeville, Franklin, and other small towns, the Cajun twist to Christmas is alive. Bonfires along the Mississippi are visible in many places. In early December, you can enjoy the Festival of the Bonfires at Lutcher Recreational Park. Or make it extra special at Oak Alley Plantation, where they include a holiday dinner and bonfires. Christmas Eve is the night when more than 100 fires light the levee guiding Papa Noel and his sleigh pulled by alligators.
North of Lafayette, in Opelousas La. is the Vieux Village which is similar.
Honorable mention to Montreal and Quebec as cities easy to reach from the American Northeast.
Italian Inspired Christmas
There is going to be a lot of fantastic eating regardless of which Italian neighborhood you visit. For many Italian-Americans, Christmas begins with the Feast Day of Saint Lucy in early December. I have to think Italian kids may have lost out with progress. Where once Santa Lucia brought gifts throughout the season until the eve of the Epiphany, today they get them around December 25 only.
Christmas Eve includes the dinner of the Seven Fishes, from Southern Italy, as well as mass.
And the pastries, biscotti, crostoli, cannoli and panettone you probably know. What about ciambelle, mostaccioli, pizzelle, struffoli, taralli, and other Italian treats? Time to get the elastic waist pants out.
New York City
Many people know about Little Italy on the island of Manahatten, but what about in Brooklyn? In the shadow of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, many consider this area to be home to the best Christmas lights in America. This tradition, dating from the 1980s, began when several families started a competition to have the “best” Christmas decorations. It is now a neighborhood effort.
But don’t miss eating a Christmas treat on Little Italy’s Mulberry Street.
Boston
Although much more American these days than Italian, the Feast of the Seven Fishes has southern Italy roots. Boston, famous for its seafood, takes this tradition to excellent heights. And a stroll through the North End is undoubtedly going to reveal more than one of those delicious little Italian Christmas cookies. Good, because I cannot eat just one.
But I can’t recommend Boston for an Italian Christmas. It has to be an Italian, Colonial, Federalist, New England Christmas. From Christmas trees on the commons to Paul Revere’s house, there are so many traditional Christmases coming together.
If you make it as far as Boston, you really should treat yourself to a visit to Old Sturbridge Village is one hour drive west. Here is New England’s largest outdoor living history village and a place to experience a 19th century New England Christmas. Expect crowds,
Philadelphia
South Philadelphia is the Italian section of Phillie, and its Italian Market, which runs approximately ten city blocks along Ninth Street, is a perfect starting point. This market is not a “Christmas” market, it is there 365 days a year, but it certainly takes on a holiday feel in December.
Philadelphia has a blessing of markets at Christmas. In addition to the Italian Market, there is the Made in Philadelphia Market and the traditional German-inspired Christmas Village.
Chicago
Little Italy is on the near west side of Chicago, and Taylor Street is its unofficial main street. Possibly because Chicago has so many offerings at Christmas, Little Italy is not my first recommendation for decorations or markets. But for traditional Italian-inspired Christmas cuisine, it is hard to walk a block without “sampling.”
Case in point, Chicago’s Andersonville, was once a sleepy village primarily of Swedish immigrants. Today it is the place to check out for a Julmarknad and other Swedish-inspired holiday treats.
Dutch Inspired Kerstmis
Founded by Dutch settlers back in 1847, it is famous for its tulips and wooden shoes. It also features the DeZwaan Windmill, the only authentic working Dutch windmill in the United States. But what about Kerstmis? The city has a Kerstmarkt, Sinterklass Eve, Victorian open houses, carolers, roasting chestnuts, and more.
Danish Inspired Jule
Solvang, California
Solvang, the Danish capital of America, features quaint shops not far from Santa Barbara. At Christmastime, Danish-inspired Julefest activities take place. A parade, nativity pageant, a Nisse hunt, skal wine, and stein (beer) stroll, and Danish cuisine. The streets, many with Danish architecture, sports decorations as well.
Special mention to Vail Colorado, whose design was inspired by Zermatt Switzerland. Unfortunately, they do not have the same amount of chocolate as Switzerland.
Spanish Inspired Navidad
You cannot visit America’s southwest without seeing signs of Spanish-inspired Christmas decorations and traditions. Perhaps one of the most popular is the luminarias or . These bags, with sand in the bottom to hold them down, contain a lit candle. They line the drives and walks, showing Mary and Joseph the way to a place to stay. Ask the kids, and they say to direct Santa.
You can find Spanish-influenced decorations and treats (tamales) just about anywhere, but a few towns take it a notch above.
Taos New Mexico
Events include the lighting of Ledoux Street and the Bonfires on Bent. The Christmas Eve parade of the Virgin in TaosPueblo and the snow skiers doing a torch-lit procession down the slopes is magical. Snow? That’s right, don’t let south or west fool you. Taos is in the mountains, and snow is.
Calle Ocho Streets in Los Angeles and Miami can undoubtedly put some Felix Navidad in your soul.
St. Augustine, Florida
You cannot talk about Spanish-inspired Christmas in the United States without mentioning St Augustine, the United States’ oldest town. Spaniards have been celebrating Christmas here since 1565. Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés first sited today’s Florida on the feast day of St. Augustine day earlier that year.
Today, the Nights of Lights features more than three million lights covering what seems like every surface in the downtown area. You should expect crowds.
St. Johns Pier Park offers a Florida spin on Christmas with lit lighthouses and more.
Inspired Christmas Summary
Are these all the European-inspired towns? Really? Do you have to ask? EVERY city has its traditions, and if you follow that string of lights far enough, they probably reach back to some part of Europe.
Hawaii may have a few exceptions. Mele Kalikimaka.
This holiday sample some traditions that might be new to you. Share some of your traditions with others. And make a few new ones.
To read more, click on any of the orange links.
“See the World” Continued on Page T3 “Taste the World” Continued on T11
PLEASE scroll down to the “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom and tell me your thoughts on:
“What is one of your favorite traditions? Do you know its history?
Please help me spread the news by rating, commenting, and sharing this blog. – THANKS!