Old Christmas Traditions We Don't Do Anymore

Christmas is filled with magical traditions that bring warmth and joy to the season. While we’re familiar with the customs we keep today—like hanging stockings, decorating with twinkling lights, and snapping photos in matching Christmas pajamas—there are plenty of quirky, curious traditions that have faded over the years.

Christmas Traditions We No Longer Do

Here are six fascinating Christmas traditions that have fallen by the wayside, giving us a peek into the unique ways people once celebrated the holiday.

1. Telling Scary Stories Around the Fire -- It might surprise you, but once upon a time, Christmas gatherings were haunted by ghost stories! Popularized in the Victorian era, telling scary tales on Christmas Eve became a beloved tradition for families huddled around the fire. Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol is actually a remnant of this tradition—it’s more ghost story than holiday cheer! While this tradition has faded, it’s an intriguing reminder that the “spooky season” once extended right into the heart of the holidays.
2. Placing Fruitcake Under Pillows to Dream of True Love -- In the 17th century, the humble fruitcake took on a romantic role during the holidays. Believers thought that sleeping with a slice of fruitcake under your pillow on Christmas night would inspire dreams of your true love. This practice was said to work a little Christmas magic for the single folks in town. Thankfully, we’ve left this tradition in the past (because, let’s face it, finding crumbs in your bed is far from magical). Instead, we stick to sharing fruitcake at holiday gatherings!
3. Celebrating the Feast of the Donkey -- Imagine your town gathering for a “Feast of the Donkey,” a medieval celebration that involved parades led by a donkey through the streets, symbolizing the journey to Bethlehem. It was a big event in the 12th century, with churches organizing parades and townspeople joining the festive procession. While it was meant to be a religious celebration, the day often became a lively and rowdy party, leading some towns to ban the tradition. Though now nearly forgotten, the Feast of the Donkey adds a whimsical touch to the tapestry of Christmas history.
4. Serving Up Figgy Pudding -- If you’ve ever wondered what figgy pudding actually is, here’s a hint: it’s neither pudding nor filled with figs! Figgy pudding is more like a dense, steamed cake made with dried fruits and spices. Popular in Britain, it was a treat created in times when ingredients like currants and raisins were easy to come by, though today, it’s more of a nostalgic dish than a staple. While it’s rare to find figgy pudding on American tables, its mention in the carol “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” keeps its spirit alive.
5. Wassailing: Holiday Cheer from Door to Door -- Wassailing was the 17th-century version of caroling, but with a twist! Neighbors would bring a large bowl of hot cider and go door to door, sharing drinks and good cheer as they sang. Unlike today’s caroling, wassailing was a gesture of generosity, with neighbors sharing a festive drink in the spirit of goodwill, with no expectation of anything in return. It’s a tradition that has mostly disappeared, but it captures the holiday spirit of giving.
6. The Yule Log Bonfire -- Before fireplaces and electric heaters, lighting the Yule log was an exciting, practical tradition. Families and friends would gather around a large tree log set ablaze on Christmas Eve to keep warm, tell stories, eat, and drink by the firelight. This Yule log tradition was a way for communities to come together and share the warmth and light of the season. While the full-blown yule log bonfire has largely vanished, we still honor its spirit with yule log cakes and fireplace displays.

These bygone traditions may seem peculiar or even mysterious today, but each one adds a layer of charm and history to our understanding of Christmas celebrations. Naturally, over time, traditions change as we discover and create our own traditions with family and friends. And so, as a bonus, here's a little history behind one tradition we fully endorse doing, year after year:

Matching Night Attire for Christmas Eve

Before holiday pajamas became a cozy tradition, it was customary in Victorian households to wear new "goodnight" attire on Christmas Eve as a sign of respect and a wish for restful sleep. Parents would often read the Christmas story before bed, and everyone dressed in fresh, modest sleepwear as a symbol of warmth and reverence. Today, our matching pajamas offer a fun, modern nod to this tradition, combining the joy of Christmas morning with a cozy night before.

Choose traditions that work for your family and share what you love most about the holiday season. Read more about Starting New Christmas Traditions on our blog, or discover 7 Christmas Traditions We Love. And don't forget to shop all of our matching holiday pajamas and Christmas PJs to find new jammies for everyone and enjoy a "goodnight" this season.