Ever wondered why we put up trees or hang wreaths at Christmas time, and where the tradition of knitting festive jumpers started? And who decides which Christmas decorations are classy?
Experts from the University of Worcester will be addressing these questions in a free talk at The Hive on Tuesday, December 9, 7-9pm. The event will feature three speakers, each exploring a different theme.
Holly Barnes-Bennet, Lecturer in Media, Culture, and Film Studies, will explore how ancient winter festivals have shaped modern Christmas traditions.
Her talk will highlight echoes of pre-Christian practices, like feasting, bringing greenery indoors, and gathering around a fire, that still resonate today. She’ll also reflect on how Christmas has evolved into the UK’s biggest annual celebration, even as society becomes more secular and diverse.
“I’m interested in where the cultural practices we have come from,” she said. “But I also think it’s about the meaning of Christmas, even if you are not religious, that goes back to what we in northern Europe need as human beings in the depths of winter. It’s community, food, light, hope and warmth.”
Esther Dobson, a Master’s graduate of History who works in the University’s Doctoral School, will explore the history of Christmas crafts, looking at needlecraft, paper craft, and nature craft.
Esther’s studies examined needlecraft during the Second World War. She said: “I will be looking at how these traditions evolved and why we practice them. Sometimes it was from necessity. Often people were using what was available to them to make and create items to gift loved ones.”
Lecturer in Sociology, Robyn Platt, will look at Christmas traditions, like decorations, lights and gift giving, and their connection to class and gender.
“I’m going to be exploring how Christmas may look different through the lens of class and gender,” she said. “For example, if class has any bearing on how people decorate their homes and how those decorations are perceived, although the idea of class in the UK is quite complex.”
Her talk will draw on sociological theory to examine who determines what is deemed ‘classy’ or ‘tacky’ and the role of media and cultural symbols. Robyn will also talk about gender roles around Christmas, such as who does what tasks, and whether those roles are changing.
Places are free but should be booked in advance through the County Council website: https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/events/christmas-cracked-night-1.