A Christmas Cornucopia

by Mark Forsyth

£12.99

Discover the fascinating origins and meanings behind our Christmas traditions with the perfect gift for curious minds.

For something that happens every year of our lives, we really don't know much about Christmas.

We don't know that the date we celebrate was chosen by a madman, or that Christmas, etymologically speaking, means 'Go away, Christ'. We're oblivious to the fact that the advent calendar was actually invented by a Munich housewife to stop her children pestering her for a Christmas countdown. And we would never have guessed that the invention of crackers was merely a way of popularising sweet wrappers.

Luckily, like a gift from Santa himself, Mark Forsyth is here to unwrap this fundamentally funny gallimaufry of traditions and oddities, making it all finally make sense - in his wonderfully entertaining wordy way.

'Witty and revelatory. Blooming brilliant', Raymond Briggs

'Everything we ever thought about Christmas is wrong! Great stuff', Matthew Parris

Product Information

Hardback

Book contains 192 pages

Dimensions: 12.07 x 1.78 x 18.42cm

FAQs

Delivery Information

Shipping to United States of America is currently suspended for the foreseeable future.

The de minimus exemption for orders under $800 going to USA ended on Friday 29 August 2025. Please bear with us while we update our systems to accommodate the new tariffs and duties. 

Christmas Delivery Dates

Please be aware that during busy periods, such as Christmas, it may take us longer than normal to respond to enquiries and to dispatch orders.

We recommend placing your order as early as possible to avoid disappointment. These are the recommended last dates for placing your order:

UK delivery – midnight Wednesday 17 December 2025
International delivery – midnight Wednesday 10 December 2025 (delivery times may be affected by customs clearance)

There will be reduced staffing over the Christmas holidays, so any online orders placed after midday Monday 22 December will be dispatched after 5 January 2026.

Our Pickup service is a convenient way for you to order online and collect your purchase in person at the Museum. Simply select the Pickup option at checkout.

The Online Shop team operates between Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00, so please allow time for us to prepare your order for collection or delivery, particularly at busy times of the year. We aim to have your order ready for collection/delivery within 72 hours.

The Museum will be closed on 24, 25, 26 December 2025, and 1 January 2026.

UK 1st Class: delivery 2-5 business days from dispatch

Europe: approximately 3-11 business days from dispatch (customs clearance may cause delays)

Rest of World: approximately 3-11 business days from dispatch (customs clearance may cause delays)

Please be aware that orders to International addresses may be subject to local customs duty or taxes. You will need to pay any additional charges for customs clearance, charges include local VAT and duty based on the value and origin of the product.

There is 5kg weight restriction for UK orders, and a 2kg weight restriction for International orders. If your order exceeds this weight, please contact the Online Shop team so that we can organise a quote for special delivery: onlineshop@ashmus.ox.ac.uk

Further information on our delivery options and returns policy can be found in Shipping & Returns.

Back to top