The roots of Christmas dinner can be traced back to the Medieval period, where feasting was central to celebrations. During this time, the Christmas feast was less about tradition and more about abundance. The tables were laden with meats like beef and boar’s head, symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The humble turkey, now a staple on the Christmas dinner menu, wouldn’t appear until much, much later.
It was in the 16th century that turkey made its entrance, credited to being brought over from the New World. Before that, goose was the bird of choice for many celebrating Christmas. Henry VIII was said to be the first English monarch to have turkey for Christmas, setting a trend that would spread across the country over the centuries.