Clarke University Christmas Traditions

Christmas Traditions at Clarke Over the Years

Many Types of Celebrations › In the 1930’s there were often recitals and plays. Sometimes departments held buffet suppers where all students were invited. Student groups would put together mission boxes. A high mass would sometimes kick off the Christmas season. Some years there was a candle lighting ceremony. Many Christmas carols were sung. A Christmas Dance held in Chicago was popular during the late 1940’s. › Other years, students had a Christmas party and exchanged gifts and played games. › There was also the ever popular “Olde English Christmas Dinner.”

Merrie Olde English Christmas Dinner › HISTORY: This special Christmas dinner began in 1928 as a research project in the history department. A medieval history class researched the customs of olde England to ensure authenticity.

› Christmas in “Merrie Olde England” relived the days of feudal England when tradition dictated that the Lord and Lady entertain their subjects. They would gather for music and dinner at the Lord’s expense. The dinner always began with a trumpeter announcing the Lord and Lady of the Manor.

Photo 1967

› A special head table is prepared for “royalty.” At the sound of the trumpet, the Lord, Lady, and other distinguished guests, march into the dining area. › A yule log is brought in and lit and set in the fireplace. › Next, the traditional boar’s head is carried in by the head chef of the manor. › The boar’s head is placed on a table in a prominent place.

Photo 1961

› A seven course meal is enjoyed by all. The menu often consisted of Boef Disshmetes (Prime Rib), Ogen-ybaken Pome (baked potatoes), and Cand’d Rote (sweet potatoes) › Desert was “flaming pudding” (plum pudding).

Photo from 1935

1957 Program

› The usual menu is listed in this program.

Wassil Pledge From 1960 Dinner › At the end of the meal, the solemn “Wassil Pledge” is recited by the royalty and their guests. The pledge is a pledge of honor, loyalty, and friendship. › Wassil was made of cranberry and apple juice with spices and beer mixed together.

e h t m o r F 2 7 9 1 r e n Din

Yule-Fest 1968 › Some years a Yule-Fest was held. › This feast included the Olde English Christmas Dinner but also included a special candle lighting ceremony.

As Traditions Changed... › While the Clarke Christmas dinner lives on, the last Olde English Dinner was held in 2004. › Each year, a Christmas dinner is still held for Clarke faculty, staff, and students. › It includes more traditional fare such as chicken, ham, roast beef, salad, cranberries, potatoes, vegetables and dessert.

› Songs are sung courtesy of students from the music dept. › High school students from nearby serve the dinner. › This dinner is very well attended and continues to be something everyone looks forward to.

Other Popular Christmas Traditions at Clarke

Christmas Plays and Christmas Radio Programs › Some years a student group would put on a play. › The Solidarity Club put on the play, other times it was a joint effort by students. › The college radio club did Christmas Programs during the month of December. › A tree would be decorated and displayed in one of the halls.

Village Square Nativity Play

Gift Boxes

In the late 1930’s and early 1940’s various student groups would solicit donations from local business and put together gift boxes for the less fortunate. The boxes often included a rosary, candy and small toys.

Holiday Dance in Chicago 1947

1950 Christmas nears...The Great Christmas Tree Hunt

A candle lighting ceremony was popular in the 1950’s

Photo 1958

Symbolic Candle Lighting Kicks off Christmas in 1951 and 1953

The 1952 Christmas Celebration included a “Night Owls” Party

Singing Christmas Carols 1954 (left) and 1960 (right)

1951--Knitting Scarves and Mittens

These mittens were given to local children in need.

Mitten Tree

1985

Caroling, Christmas socials, class tree trimming, and other class parties rounded out a busy Christmas season in 1961.

Annual Christmas Parties and Yuletide Tea (1956)

1979 Christmas Activities

Do you have a favorite memory or story about your Christmases here at Clarke?

We will collect your memories and stories for our Archives.

You can include your name if you want, or share your story or memory anonymously.

Send your email to: library@clarke.edu