While religious observance was central to Christmas, medieval society also used the occasion as a time to indulge in feasting and revelry. Feasting during the medieval Christmas period was often extravagant, especially for the nobility and wealthy families. In fact, the elaborate feasts during the holiday season were an important expression of social status.
The medieval Christmas feast was a lavish affair, and the foods served would reflect the wealth and resources available to the host. Common dishes included roasted meats like boar, venison, goose, and boar's head, which were often served as the centerpiece of the meal. Meat was particularly significant during the medieval Christmas celebration as it symbolized prosperity and abundance.
In addition to meat, festive foods included pies, pastries, bread, and puddings, many of which were made with exotic spices like cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. These spices were highly prized and had often been brought back from the Crusades or trade routes, symbolizing both luxury and the global reach of medieval European kingdoms.
Alcohol was an essential part of the medieval Christmas feast. Wine and ale flowed freely at the table, and special drinks like wassail (a hot, spiced ale or wine) were often served. Wassail, which was sometimes served in a communal bowl, was a social drink that encouraged revelry and toasts to the health of the guests, the host, and the community.
The social structure of medieval society also influenced who participated in the feasts. Nobles, clergy, and even peasants would celebrate, though with different levels of extravagance. For the nobility, feasts were an opportunity to display wealth and power, while for common people, the Christmas feast was a rare chance to enjoy meat and drink shutdown123