Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-12-18

hcient amity with them for such conferences
In Virginia, where the Church of England was
strong and its adherents steadfastly observed the
holidays in the home country there was al
ways more Of the Christmas spirit and abundant
cheer and merrymaking than elsewhere at this
season. Here the Yule log held Its place and
here we're the games and the feasting that made
it indeed the merry Of the year Later
when New Amsterdam became New York and
the English came into power the character Of tho
Christmas holiday changed again somewhat.
although the Dutch influence continued dominant
for many years
Owing to the large number OF Germans in Penn.
sylvania Christmas there partook largely OF the
nature Of the festival in the fatherand. 1t was
largely a family affair. The children for months
before the day of the Nativity saved their pennies
and bought material from which they fashioned
their gifts for their parents and for one another
These presented on Christmas eve, and the
next day the parents in turn spread out their pres
ents for the children large table In the best
room. Stockings were hung. too and the good
children had them filled with sweetmeats pepper
cakes and other goodies. but those who had been
bad sometimes found birch rod Christmas
gift There was one custom that was fraught
with great terror TO children One Knecht Rupert
went from house to house nqniring about the
children on Christmas eve and recommending re-
wards or punishments according to the reports
that he received Of their conduct during the year
The Pennsylvania Santa Claus popularity
known as Kriss Kringle. corruption of Christ.
kindein the little Christ.
throughout the colonies in the seventeenth and
eighteenth centuries toys were almost un.
known factor but wherever Christmas obsery.
ances we're not frowned upon by religion feasting
and good cheer were abundant. and bond and free.
rich and poor old and young shared in the games.
abundant food and genial atmosphere Not only
did the munifcenee of those who were well sup
1 piled with worldly goods extend to their depend
ents and TO all within reach OF their charity, bur
i in some places even the animals had an extra
allowance Of food to let them know that Christ.
mas had come again.
In the eighteenth century TOYS bean to make
heir appearance in the colonies. ssne Of them
we're brought from overseas and haf he enchants
| ng quality Or novelty. Little girls had helped
o mother their younger brothers ana sisters were
| delighted with dolls that were all their own 10
dress and undress. to fondle and coddle. punish
| and reward Simple and quaint we're those early
| dolls. like the children they belonged to. One
can fancy the surprise and terror Of the timid
when they first beheid Jack jump into the air
ahen an Innocent looking box vas opened toy
vas q thing to be cherished in those days u
vas indeed a wondrous saint Who could bring
sueh things In his pack Some of the gifts were
u real intrinsic value for the shipping and trad
ng we're growing to be important factors IN the
colonies and men brought treasures OF all kinds
from the Far East 70 the seaparts. whence thea
we're distributed to other parts q the colonies
The war for Independence Interrupted this ans
The children shared in the self=saeFihees and De