I have posted before about the truth behind some of our best
loved Christmas customs (see http://www.blindmansblogsey.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/real-meaning-of-christmas.html
) and as we approach this special time of year once again, my research has
revealed some almost interesting facts about the role that blind people have
played in shaping many of our festive customs over the years.
For example, did you know that legend has it that Santa
first got the idea to put sleigh bells on his reindeer after receiving a
request from a grumpy old blind bloke in Croydon? Arthur Dodds had requested the auditory
addition, claiming he was frightened that “one of the fat fuckers will run me
over one of these years”. Fortunately, the elves translated the request for
Santa as a plea from a nice old man who wanted to enjoy the full festive
spectacle. However, the tradition was almost ended some years later when Santa
was busy delivering presents in Australia. Unfortunately, Santa had parked the
sleigh near a day/night VI cricket match. Innocently grazing on the pitch,
Rudolph’s bells were mistaken for a ball and he was dispatched to the boundary
with a lovely cover drive. On the plus side, his injured nose, which took the
brunt of the shot, became his trademark.
And it was a ‘Scottish blind man who started the tradition
of leaving out a carrot and a whisky on Christmas Eve. He had been at the
whisky all night and left his last night-cap by the fireplace. A little worse
for the drink, he later misjudged where he had left his glass and ended up
toasting his fingers in the fire. As for the carrot, he had picked one up in
the supermarket and brought it home to ask friends and family what it was. Of
course, nobody knew, so he’d decided it made quite a nice poker.
You might also be surprised to hear that Christmas fairy
lights were also inspired by someone thinking about their blind loved one, or
so the story goes. Apparently, the young
Swedish girl, Anja, was desperate to keep her blind father away from the
presents under the tree, as he had a tendency to rummage around trying to guess
what was wrapped up for him. So his ingenious daughter rigged up a series of
live electrical charges all around the tree to keep him away. Neighbours
commented on the lovely coloured sparks they made when the inquisitive Dad went
pressie-hunting and Anja got the idea to develop a less sadistic version for
the mass market.
Did you know that explosive Christmas crackers as we know
them were developed that way especially for blind people? Originally they were
small gifts shared at the dinner table, until an ingenious French man decided a
more sensory experience was needed for his blind wife. Early prototypes were
variable. Having blown up his shed, poor Jacques would have held his hands up
in defeat, had he not already blown them off. However, he persevered and
eventually his design was passed safe for use around the world.
Finally, the influence of the VI world extends through to
some of our favourite New Year customs. The great Scottish tradition of first
footing – being the first person to cross the threshold of your neighbour’s
house – was started by a blind man in Glasgow in the 13th century.
He’d been at his local tavern for a few celebratory ales and had had become a
little confused on his return home, ending up at the wrong house, whereupon he
was dragged inside for another drink before being sent on his way. Several
houses later he eventually made it home and the next year he was careful to
make the same mistake. His canny Scots neighbours soon caught on and the
tradition took off.
So a VI Merry Christmas to you all!
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