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Flash back 100 years, and Jersey people would still be waiting to tuck into their Christmas feast - for another nine days, in fact.
While the island now celebrates the festive season much like the rest of Europe, things used to be very different.
One tradition, for example, that has died out is La Longue Veil'ye.
According Geraint Jennings from L’Office du Jèrriais, “this took place on 23rd December in the countryside, when countryfolk would have an evening of work and celebration with games and songs and food and drink, while working on finishing up the knitting, embroidery, needlework and other goods for sale that the families would take into Saint Helier on Christmas Eve to sell.
"This Christmas Eve visit to the markets was for many, especially women, the only time they would come into Town during the whole year.”
Video: Traditional carol singing on St Helier's high street. (L'Office du Jèrriais)
He added: “If you prefer roast pork to turkey as Christmas dinner, then you are following the tradition of our forebears: for them, du lard au fou was usually served.
"The heavier English-style Christmas pudding is served in most homes and has replaced the lighter steamed Jersey podîn d'Noué.”
He then goes on to note: “It used to be the Christmas custom for children to go round their neighbourhood and beg some leftovers from door to door by chanting "Man Noué, s'i' vos pliaît! Un morcé d'gâche sus l'but d'l'ais!" (My Christmas, please! A piece of cake on the end of the shelf).”
Papa Noué s'en veint en Jèrri - Santa Claus is coming to... Jersey #Jèrriais pic.twitter.com/oa3lYmAJv1
— Geraint Jennings (@GeraintJennings) December 22, 2017
And one last thought…
“Well into the 20th century, some Jersey families continued to celebrate lé Vièr Noué (Old Christmas Day) on 6th January. This was a hangover from the change of calendar from Julian to Gregorian in the 18th century.”
Bouan Noué!
Lead photos courtesy of L'Office du Jèrriais/Geraint Jennings.
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