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In 1640, in an attempt to forbid anything that was related to Roman Catholicism, the Scottish Parliament passed a law that made celebrating Yule (Christmas) illegal. England & Wales passed a similar law in 1647. In 1660 Christmas celebrations were restored in England & Wales, but they continued to be discouraged in Scotland. It was not until 1958 that Scotland had a bank (public) holiday on 25 December, and it took a couple of decades before Scots fully embraced Christmas celebrations - which is why New Year celebrations became so important in Scotland.

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Yes, Great Britain has a much longer and prolonged history of no Christmas.

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My family is from the USVI, St. Kitts, and Barbados and when the Poché Kuba comes out, the holidays begin! Thank you for sharing the history behind the iconic drink that connects us throughout the Caribbean, and for giving me a rabbit hole to spend the rest of the day in!

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Dec 1, 2023Liked by Juneisy Hawkins

When I was sick, my mother would beat an egg into milk and make me swallow the slimey, gummy unincorporated concoction. I vowed never as an adult to graduate to egg nog, Advocaat, or any other from that family. But then you list as an ingredient enough condensed milk to drown the eggs...Trying this tomorrow! How long does it keep - if it hasn't been finished by Monday morning...to Christmas?

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I promise, you won't taste the eggs over that condensed milk and rum!

It keeps for a few weeks, certainly at least two or three. All that sugar and alcohol does a pretty good job at preserving it.

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Great piece thank you, sounds yum!

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