Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
Your search for F642.48 returned 68 results.
CHRISTMAS EVE
POLES TRADITIONALLY DECORATE THE CHRISTMAS TREE ON CHRISTMAS
EVE DURING THE DAY. THE TREE STAYS UP UNTIL THE 3 KINGS DAY.
Submitter comment:
THIS IS A POPULAR CUSTOM IN POLAND AND IN POLISH COMMUNITIES IN
THE U.S.A.
Where learned: DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 6 Twelfth Day Epiphany CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 04-14-1979
ADVENT SEASON TRADITION
IN ST. CHRISTOPHER CHURCH, THE CHRISTIAN SERVICE COMMISSION OF THE
PARISH PUTS UP A CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE CHURCH, DECORATED WITH TAGS
WITH THE SIZE, AGE AND SEX OF THE SHUT-IN PEOPLE IN THE PARISH,
WRITTEN ON THEM. THE PARISHIONERS CHOOSE ONE OF THE TAGS AND
PURCHASE A GIFT FOR THAT PERSON. THE PARISHIONER THEN
RETURNS THE GIFT AND TAG TO THE COMMISSION FOR DISTRIBUTION
BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00-00-1975
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK IF A FAMILY CUT DOWN THEIR OWN CHRISTMAS TREE."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"WE'D ALWAYS HAVE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY CHRISTMAS EVE,
BECAUSE IT MEANT GOOD LUCK FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND THE NEW YEAR."
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Measure of time Year BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
GEORGIA CHRISTMAS TREE CUSTOM
"IT WAS BAD LUCK TO HAVE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE
UP AFTER NEW YEAR'S EVE"
Where learned: OHIO ; FLORIDA ; ALLIANCE ; EUSTIS
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 31 New Year's Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-13-1980 ; 00001920S
ALABAMA CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM
"IT WAS GOOD LUCK TO HAVE THE FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE UP BY
CHRISTMAS EVE".
Submitter comment:
THE INFORMANT LEARNED THIS ITEM AS A CHILD IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA
FROM HIS MOTHER, CIRCA 1928. SHE LEARNED IT FROM HER MOTHER
IN ALABAMA CIRCA 1900.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ALABAMA ; DETROIT ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Good luck |
Date learned: 11-22-1980 ; 00-00-1928 ; 00-00-1900
TAKE THE CHRISTMAS TREE DOWN BY NEW YEAR'S EVE,
OTHERWISE YOU WILL HAVE BAD LUCK.
Submitter comment:
MRS. MUGGLETON LEARNED THIS FROM HER ENGLISH-BORN
HUSBAND AND STILL PRACTICES IT TODAY.
Where learned: TELEPHONE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- January 1 New Year's CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Bad luck |
Date learned: 11-02-1963
IN OUR FAMILY, THE ELDEST SON PLACES THE DECORATIVE ANGEL ATOP
THE TRIMMED CHRISTMAS TREE. IF HE IS NOT HOME FOR CHRISTMAS,
THE ANGEL IS NOT PUT IN PLACE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; ROYAL OAK ; OAKLAND COUNTY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
UPSTAIRS CHRISTMAS TREE
THIS IS A FAMILY TRADITION TO REMEMBER THE CHILDREN THAT WERE
STILLBORN WITH THEIR OWN SPECIAL TYPE OF CHRISTMAS TREE. THIS TREE
IS PLACED UPSTAIRS IN THE PARENTS' BEDROOM. A FRESH TREE IS PURCHASED
AND PLACED IN THE ROOM WITH A SOLID WHITE TREE-SKIRT PLACED AROUND
IT. ON CHRISTMAS EVE THIS TREE IS TRIMMED WITH ONLY ONE ORNAMENT PER
STILLBORN CHILD. NOTHING ELSE GOES ON THE TREE. THE ORNAMENT IS
SYMBOLIC OF AN ANGEL WITH THE NAME OF THE CHILD ON THE ORNAMENT.
NOTHING IS PLACED ON THE TOP OF THE TREE. A PRAYER IS SAID BY THE
FAMILY AFTER THE DECORATING CEREMONY. THE TREE IS REMOVED ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Dorothy's mom taught her how to crochet Christmas ornaments.
First, they crochet the ornaments and then put them into sugar
water to hold a desired shape. Then they put a ribbon on
the top of the ornament and hang it on the Christmas Tree.
The process of crocheting take hours to complete a beautiful
ornament.
Submitter comment: The material that is crocheted is thin yarn.
Where learned: CANADA ; ONTARIO
Every Christmas, my grandmother made each grandchild two
ornaments. They were styrofoam and were covered with
sequins which were fastened on with pins and glue.
The foam was in the shape of a wreath of a rocking
horse or some other item. To add a special touch,
often eyes were added and lace was added to dress
up the ornaments. Today, our Christmas tree has
nothing but homemade ornaments on it.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 01-00-1976
On Christmas Eve, we sing Menybol az Angyal, a Hungarian
religious song that announces the arrival of the Christmas Tree
brought by the angels.
Submitter comment: My mother learned this from her mother in the 1940's
Where learned: HUNGARY
| Subject headings: | Ballad Song Dance Game Music Verse -- Religious CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree BELIEF -- Angel |
Date learned: 00001940S
It is tradition in a German community to collect the Christmas
trees. There was one location in which people took their trees to
build one huge pile. Later, a toy witch was placed on top of the
pile and at a celebration at the beginning of February the pile of
trees was set on fire. The burning of the Christmas trees
symbolized the burning out of winter along with evil symbolized by
the witch. The Germans celebrated with music and dancing by the
large fire. You could see from the upper balcony of the apartment
building the fires of the other communities.
Where learned: WEST GERMANY ; Neu Ulm
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- February CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 01-00-1986
EVERY CHRISTMAS THE SYMONS FAMILY STRING POPCORN AND
CRANBERRIES ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE ALONG WITH THE
OTHER ORNAMENTS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE VIKINGS HAD A YULE SEASON IN WHICH THEY DECORATED
THEIR HOUSES WITH GREENS FROM FIR TREES. THIS EVENTUALLY
BECAME THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE GREEN USED FOR
DECORATIONS EVOLVED INTO USING THE WHOLE TREE.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-11-1968
DECORATING THE CHRISTMAS TREE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: FAMILY PRACTICE.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; BIRMINGHAM
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-14-1967
YUGOSLAVIAN CHRISTMAS TRADITION
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE FATHER GOES OUT TO THE FOREST TO
GET A CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT THE TREE IS NOT LIKE OURS. THE
CHILDREN NEVER KNOW THE FATHER GETS THE TREE UNTIL THEY
ARE AROUND TEN YEARS OLD. EVERYTHING IS VERY SPECIAL.
THE TABLE IS SET ACCORDING TO TRADITION. THERE ARE APPLES,
NUTS, AND DRIED FRUIT IN ONE PLATE, SOME RICE IN A LITTLE
CUP, AND IN ANOTHER LITTLE CUP THERE IS HONEY. ALL OF THIS
HAS A SYMBOLIC MEANING, BUT THE PERSON TELLING ME DID NOT
KNOW EXACTLY WHAT EACH MEANT.
THERE IS STRAW AROUND THE PLATE AND ON THE ENTIRE TABLE.
THIS SYMBOLIZES THE BIRTH OF THE CHRIST CHILD. CANDLES
ARE LIT AND PUT ON THE TABLE. THE FATHER STANDS UP AND
TAKES A HANDFUL OF STRAW, STANDING AT THE HEAD OF THE
LINE. THE MOTHER IS NEXT IN LINE AND FOLLOWING ARE ALL
THE CHILDREN ACCORDING TO THEIR AGES, ALL IN A STRAIGHT
LINE. ALL THE FAMILY, WITH THE FATHER AT THE HEAD, WALK
FIRST AROUND THE TABLE, THEN AROUND THE HOUSE. THE FATHER
THEN PUTS THE STRAW ON THE FLOOR WITH EACH PERSON IN THE
FAMILY TAKING THE CHARACTERISTIC OF AN ANIMAL. THE FATHER
IS THE ROOSTER, THE MOTHER IS THE HEN, AND THE CHILDREN ARE
THE CHICKS. THEY EACH IMITATE THE SOUND OF THE ANIMAL THEY
ASSUMED. THE FATHER HAS FOUR NUTS IN HIS HAND. HE CROSSES
IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY GHOST. WITH
THESE FOUR NUTS, HE THROWS ONE INTO A DIFFERENT CORNER OF
THE HOUSE, SYMBOLIZING THE NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, AND WEST.
THEN HE WISHES EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
THEY THEN SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND EAT A SPECIAL MEAL WHICH
CONSISTS OF MACARONI AND NUTS, SUGAR AND FISH. THAT ENDS
CHRISTMAS EVE.
IN THE EARLY MORNING POLAZAJNIK COMES. HE IS VERY COLD.
HE BRINGS PIECES OF THE SAME TREE THAT FATHER HAD CHOPPED,
THAT'S WHY THE CHILDREN DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE FATHER GOT THE
TREE. HE THEN THROWS THESE BRANCHES IN THE FIRE. AS MANY
SPARKS COME OUT, SO MANY HAPPINESS IN THE HOUSE, WHETHER
IT BE OF HEALTH, MONEY, CHILDREN, OR ANYTHING THE FAMILY
DESIRES. HE THEN WISHES A HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO THE ENTIRE
FAMILY. THE FAMILY THEN GIVES HIM A GIFT, USUALLY A WHITE
SHIRT AND A TIE, WITH STOCKINGS. THE MAN THEN USUALLY
EATS WITH THE FAMILY. THE FOOD THEY EAT IS EGG BREAD AND
COFFEE. THE POLAZAJNIK COMES BECAUSE THE FAMILY ARRANGED
TO HAVE HIM COME, SOMETHING LIKE OUR SANTA CLAUS.
ON CHRISTMAS DAY, THE HUSBAND AND THE SONS GO OUT AND
VISIT OTHER FAMILIES. THUS THE MEN ARE OUT VISITING WHILE
THE WIVES AND DAUGHTERS STAY HOME TO GREET THE MEN THAT
COME TO THEIR HOUSE. THIS IS JUST ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE
FEAST. THERE ARE THREE DAYS. ON THE SECOND DAY, THE
ENTIRE FAMILY STAYS TOGETHER. ON THE THIRD DAY, THEY
USUALLY HAVE PARTIES FOR THE CHILDREN.
Submitter comment:
SHE WAS BROUGHT UP WITH THIS TRADITION. TODAY, HOWEVER,
CHRISTMAS IS QUITE SIMILAR TO OURS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-17-1967
EVERY CHRISTMAS THE SYMONS FAMILY STRING POPCORN AND
CRANBERRIES ON THEIR CHRISTMAS TREE ALONG WITH THE
OTHER ORNAMENTS.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas Season See F645.2 for Advent Season. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
THE VIKINGS HAD A YULE SEASON IN WHICH THEY DECORATED
THEIR HOUSES WITH GREENS FROM FIR TREES. THIS EVENTUALLY
BECAME THE CHRISTMAS SEASON AND THE GREEN USED FOR
DECORATIONS EVOLVED INTO USING THE WHOLE TREE.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Mistletoe and other greenery CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: 11-11-1968
TREE PRESERVATION
MY FATHER RELATED TO ME HOW, AT CHRISTMAS TIME, IT IS
NECESSARY TO PUT SUGAR IN THE WATER THAT IS PLACED
IN THE CHRISTMAS TREE STAND. THIS HELPS KEEP THE
TREE GREEN.
Submitter comment: HE COULD NOT REMEMBER WHERE HE HEARD THIS.
Where learned: ILLINOIS ; PEORIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Christmas tree |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN