Sunday, December 9, 2018

Ben Franklin celebrates Christmas with Friends, Nuts, Apples, & Mince Pies


Benjamin Franklin's correspondence gives only a glimpse into his celebration of Christmas. Franklin usually spent Christmas away from his wfe & family.  He wrote to Isaac Norris in 1763, that he had given,"for customary New Year’s Gifts, and Christmas Presents to Door-keepers and Clerks of the Publick Offices."  He also noted Christmas Gambols in a letter in 1765, & Christmas dinner in 1766. He wrote to his wife that he was spending "the Christmas Holidays" with the friend of a Bishop in 1771; and in a letter to Nathaniel Falconer in 1773, he thanked him for his present of nuts and apples.