Dr. James T. Callow publications
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The James T. Callow Folklore Archive
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CHRISTMAS DAY CUSTOM
THERE MUST BE AN ORANGE, NUTS, AND CANDY IN THE STOCKING.
Submitter comment:
THESE ARE ALL TO INSURE THAT CHRISTMAS DAY WILL BE ONE OF JOY AND
MERRIMENT. ALSO AS A FORETELLING OF THE COMING YEAR TO BE A GOOD
YEAR.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas BELIEF -- Measure of time Year |
Date learned: 00-00-1939
WHEN WE WERE CHILDREN, WE WOULD LINE UP ON THE TOP OF THE STAIRS
WITH THE OLDEST AT THE TOP AND WE ALL WENT DOWN TO OPEN OUR PRESENTS
TOGETHER
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ORIGINALLY LEARNED IN NORTH TONAWANDA, NEW YORK
Where learned: NEW YORK ; NORTH TONAWANDA
Date learned: 00-00-1965
CHRISTMAS GIFT TRADITION
IN OUR FAMILY, EVERY CHRISTMAS WE ALWAYS PUT A SMALL WRAPPED GIFT
AT EACH PERSON'S PLATE FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER. WE CALL THEM TABLE
GIFTS.
Submitter comment: ITEM WAS LEARNED IN NOVA SCOTIA ALTHOUGH COLLECTED IN DETROIT.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; BOTSFORD GRADE SCHOOL ; CLARENCEVILLE DISTRICT
Date learned: 11-00-1982
RURAL BLACK CHRISTMAS CUSTOM
IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, DURING THE 1930'S, IT WAS
COMMONPLACE TO VISIT ONE'S FRIENDS ON CHRISTMAS DAY. UPON
FIRST SEEING THE FRIEND, WE BOTH WOULD ATTEMPT TO SAY
"CHRISTMAS GIVE" FIRST. BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS DID THIS.
THE LOSER HAD TO GIVE SOME SMALL GIFT TO THE WINNER.
ADULTS MIGHT RECEIVE A DRINK; CHILDREN PERHAPS CANDY. THE
IDEA WAS TO SURPRISE THE OTHER PARTY SO SOMETIMES ONE
MIGHT HAVE TO HIDE AND JUMP OUT AT THE OTHER WHILE SHOUTING
"CHRISTMAS GIVE."
YOU KNOW, THIS WAS DURING THE DEPRESSION SO WE DIDN'T
HAVE TOO MUCH TO GIVE EVEN TO FAMILY. THERE SEEMED TO BE
SOME SENSE OF COMMUNITY PRESENT SO THAT WE JUST NATURALLY
SHARED WITH OUR NEIGHBORS. ONCE WE MOVED NORTH, AFTER
THE WAR, I NEVER HEARD OF IT AGAIN.
Submitter comment:
MY FATHER'S (THE INFORMANT) FAMILY WAS RELATIVELY WELL-OFF
DURING THE DEPRESSION. HIS FATHER WORKED AS A FIREMAN FOR
THE RAILROAD AND MADE ENOUGH SO THAT THE FAMILY OWNED
THEIR FARMLAND. HIS "NOT TOO MUCH TO GIVE" WAS SOMEWHAT
MORE THAN THE AVERAGE DEPRESSION ERA RURAL BLACK FAMILY
COULD AFFORD.
THE INFORMANT LIVED IN LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI UNTIL
BEING SENT OVERSEAS IN WORLD WAR II. THE FAMILY MOVED NORTH
DURING THE WAR. THE INFORMANT CAME TO DETROIT AFTER THE
WAR AND HAS LIVED IN DETROIT SINCE THEN.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
Date learned: 09-00-1982
ARGENTINIAN CHRISTMAS
CHRISTMAS IN ARGENTINA IS ALMOST IDENTICAL TO THE UNITED STATES
CHRISTMAS. INSTEAD OF HANGING SOCKS AROUND THE FIREPLACE THE
WHOLE FAMILY BRINGS DOWN THEIR SHOES AND THE PRESENTS ARE PLACED
AROUND THEM. I GUESS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE DO NOT USE SOCKS
IS THAT WE BASICALLY DON'T HAVE FIREPLACES IN USE AT CHRISTMAS
BECAUSE IT IS IN THE SUMMERTIME AND TOO WARM FOR THEM.
Where learned: SOUTH AMERICA
Date learned: 00-00-1970
LONG TIME AGO, CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE ORANGES FOR CHRISTMAS AND
THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO KEEP THE SEEDS FOR GOOD LUCK.
Submitter comment: THIS WAS ALSO DONE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
Where learned: GUADELOUPE
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas Food Drink -- Plant food Fruit BELIEF -- Plant BELIEF -- Good luck Plants |
Date learned: 00001800S
MY INFORMANT TOLD ME OF A BELIEF THAT IS HELD BY
HUNGARIANS CONCERNING CHRISTMAS. HUNGARIAN TRADITION
SAYS THAT JESUS' ANGELS BRING YOUR PRESENTS RATHER THAN
SANTA CLAUS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | Favorites CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas BELIEF -- Angel |
FOR THE POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE IS CELEBRATED BY WIGILIA. OUR
VERSION OF WIGILIA BEGINS WITH THE DISTRIBUTION OF OPLATECK, OR
WAFERS, WITH WHICH WE EXCHANGE GOOD WISHES FOR EACH OTHER FOR THE
COMING YEAR. WITH EACH WISH, WE BREAK OFF A SMALL PIECE OF THE
OTHER'S WAFER. WHEN EVERYONE HAS EXCHANGED WISHES IT IS TIME FOR
A DELICIOUS MEATLESS DINNER. THIS DINNER BEGINS WITH MUSHROOM
SOUP AND FEATURES PIEROGIS, HERRING AND ANOTHER FISH, POTATO
SALAD, A GREEN SALAD, AND, SOMETIMES, WHITE WINE. AFTER DINNER,
THE DISHES ARE DONE. WE THEN GATHER AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE AND
NATIVITY SCENE AND EXCHANGE SMALL GIFTS. THIS IS HELD AT MY
GRANDMA'S HOUSE.
Submitter comment:
WHEN MY SISTER AND I WERE VERY YOUNG, MY GRANDPA AND MY DAD
WOULD CARRY IN GIFTS WHILE WE WERE DISTRACTED. THEY WOULD SAY,
"HO, HO, HO!" AND WE WOULD RUN IN TO TRY TO CATCH SANTA. SANTA
ALWAYS MOVED TOO FAST FOR US!
Date learned: 0001970S
On Christmas Eve, we always open our gifts that were brought
by the Christ Child, not Santa.
Submitter comment: This has been a tradition and a belief in our family.
Where learned: HUNGARY
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas BELIEF -- Religious hero |
Date learned: 00001940S
On November 25 of every year all the family get together and
have dinner. It is a Thanksgiving, prechristmas type of deal.
Dinner is on this day so that all the family can have dinner
together, and on Thanksgiving you can visit your in-laws or whom
ever. Most importantly on this day we all put our names in a hat
and pull a name. Whom ever you pick this is who you buy a
Christmas gift for. On Christmas day we exchange.
Submitter comment:
The family is so large that you can't usually buy a good gift
for every one; this way everyone gets a nice gift and you don't
have to feel bad because you left someone out.
Where learned: DETROIT
Date learned: 00001960S
I have always had the memory on New Year's Eve of leaving our
shoes out for Father Time to be able to give us our gifts. The
background information on how this tradition began was taught to me
by my Grandma McQuiston. It began in Europe as the traditional way
for the Dutch to celebrate Christmas. They would leave their shoes
out for St. Nicholas to leave their presents in. Then as time went
on and the immigrants came over to America the tradition evolved
into a practice of bringing good luck in for the new year. The
children were taught to put their shoes out and as Father Time
passed over on New Year's Eve he would leave a small present for
them.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TAYLOR
Date learned: 00-00-1964
Willia (Veeleea) (unsure of spelling)
This is a Polish custom that was brought over from Poland, near
Krakow. On Christmas Eve, we would eat a supper of 12 items,
including fish, pierogi, sour mushroom soup (made with dried
mushrooms), bread, butter, prunes and barley. I can't remember
what else-- except no meat. We did not get presents because we
really did not have money, so there was usually a long table set up
that had straw on it, covered by a white table cloth. Under the
straw, there were pennies, and when it was time, the children put
their hands under the straw and found as many pennies as they
could. We would then go to Christmas Eve Mass, and then go
caroling from house to house. This was the big thing years ago.
We were gone half the night, usually in a horse and buggy. We
would then go back to the house we started at, and eat the ham
which we were now allowed to eat because it was after midnight.
The money that we had gotten from under the straw we used to buy
candy. There was a candy store at the corner of 23 Mile Road, and
when we went back to school we would stop there to buy the candy.
Submitter comment:
Because of this "penny tradition," I remember that whenever my
Great Uncle Al came to Grandma's house when we were there, he
always passed out silver dollars to the children. He also did this
when my mom was a little girl. We liked it when he came over
because he gave us the silver dollars, but we could have done
without his cigars.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; Mount Clemens
Date learned: 00001920'S
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ARE OPENED BY SOME FAMILIES ON
CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS THROUGH MY FRIENDS.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
EVEN WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD, MY NEIGHBOR HAD PARTAKEN IN
A SIMPLE TRADITION OF OPENING ONE PACKAGE OR PRESENT
ON CHRISTMAS EVE. HER CHILDREN ALSO OBSERVE THIS
CUSTOM.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: HOME
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
EVERY CHRISTMAS SINCE THEY WERE CHILDREN, THE KLINGENSMITHS
HAVE OPENED THEIR GIFTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE.
Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
A STOCKING IS HUNG ON THE FIREPLACE MANTLE. IT CAN BE
FILLED WITH CANDY, ETC. IF THE PERSON WAS GOOD DURING
THE YEAR OR COAL IF THE PERSON WAS BAD.
Submitter comment: FAMILY CUSTOM
Where learned: NEW YORK ; HAMBURG
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, ALL OF THE FANCY PRESENTS ARE PLACED
UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE. IN THE MORNING, JUST BEFORE
THE CHILDREN OPEN THE GIFTS, THE ONES WRAPPED IN NEWSPAPER
ARE BROUGHT OUT.
Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED IT FROM HER PARENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN, ASSUMED ; LIVONIA
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-00-1967
IF WE HAVE BEEN NAUGHTY CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS, KRIS
KRINGLE--ST. NICHOLAS--WILL LEAVE HIS STAFF INSTEAD OF
PRESENTS.
Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: NOT GIVEN
CHRISTMAS PRESENTS IN MOST FAMILIES, INCLUDING OURS,
ARE ALWAYS OPENED ON CHRISTMAS MORNING BEFORE
BREAKFAST.
Submitter comment: LEARNED THIS FROM OUR FAMILY.
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 11-27-1967
ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, IF YOU SAW SOMEONE AND SAID
"CHRISTMAS GIFT" BEFORE THEY DID, THEN THEY HAD TO
GIVE YOU A PRESENT.
Where learned: WORK
| Subject headings: | CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 25 Christmas Also see F642, below. CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas |
Date learned: 12-02-1967