Christmas Traditions - How Far Back Do You Go? by Joan Lennon

Every family who celebrates Christmas will have their own traditions.  Some of them are quite recent - with us, it's hiding presents and writing poems (well, doggerel) to help/flummox the recipient.  Much confusion and hilarity ensues.  My father started that tradition when we were small.  I loved it then and I love it now, and I can't imagine a Christmas without poems.

But some traditions are much, much older, and since we are, indeed, History Girls, my question is this:

What's the most ancient Christmas tradition that is part of your celebrations?  

Answers in the comments below!

The first Christmas card was commissioned by Sir Henry Cole in London

 in 1843 and illustrated by John Callcott. 

Wiki commons

Joan Lennon's website.

Joan Lennon's blog

Walking Mountain.