Savour the Spicy Side of Christmas

Posted by weichong under Explore Singapore!
(0) Comment • (2489) Reads • Permalink

Mention Christmas and the first things that come to our minds are Santa Claus, beautifully wrapped gifts and shimmery Christmas trees. So how do spices come into the picture? Through Singaporeans favourite past-time – eating! With exquisite stamps showcasing traditional Christmas favourites such as turkey and ham, Christmas pudding and local Eurasian fare, I was almost drooling mid-way through the exhibition. Although western in origin, many Christmas recipes would not be complete without herbs and spices from the Far East. Join me in discovering how delightful condiments are used to flavour foods and spice up the festivities!

The holiday we now celebrate as Christmas actually dates back thousands of years. The word Christmas comes from the old English “Cristes maesse” meaning Christ’s Mass. The Holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.

Here you will learn about Divinity and Virgin Birth, a short story of Jesus’ parents and where he was born.

For centuries, the evergreen trees had played an important role in cold dark winter festivals. So why do we decorate our Christmas trees? The answers are all at this exhibition.

The custom of sending Christmas cards started in Victorian England. Earlier, some adults had written Christmas letters. But letters took time to write and people wanting to share season’s greetings with many others had a daunting task. Thereafter, Christmas cards were born.

By the 17th century, the humble pie, baked out of the unwanted parts of the deer, had become a traditional Christmas dish.

Candy canes, originated in Germany in the late 1600s, became edible ornaments. It was bent to represent a Shepherd’s staff and distributed to children during Nativity services to keep them quiet while they have something to suck on.

The Christmas log is served at the grand feast of the season called Le reveillon, by the French. Le reveillon is a late night supper held after midnight mass on Christmas Eve.

Christmas just isn’t the same without Christmas turkey. Turkey made its appearance on the Christmas menu at around 1650. King Henry VIII of England is credited with replacing Christmas poultry with turkey because it is more meaty and flavourful.

If you are already in the mood for Christmas, why not usher in the Yuletide season with a visit to the Singapore Philatelic Museum? Spice Up Your Christmas is on from 27 November to 6 January 2008.

Spice Up Your Christmas is part of Explore Singapore! which happens from 10 November 2007 to 31 December 2007. For more information on Explore Singapore!, visit http://www.museums.com.sg/explore or call 62214463.