CHEPSTOW'S Museum is the venue for a revealing exhibition which aims to trace the origins of the sites, sounds and customs of Christmas we take for granted.

The Natural History of Christmas focuses particularly on the plants and animals associated with the celebration of Christmas, such as the robin or reindeer, and the legends and traditions surrounding them.

Explanations for the robin's prominence in seasonal imagery vary from the fact that he simply stands out in the winter garden, to his alleged role fanning the flames for Mary in the lowly Bethlehem stable, causing his breast to glow.

Perhaps the real reason lies with the popular Victorian invention of the Christmas card, and the very first postmen in Britain, who wore red waistcoats as part of their uniform and were nicknamed "Robins."

Their emergence and the existence of the penny post in 1840 are the main reasons for the overwhelming success of the Christmas card.

You might also be interested to learn that the turkey hasn't always ruled the roost entirely as far as Yule-time grub is concerned. Back in medieval times the centrepiece of the feast was a boar's head, a throwback to the sacred wild boar of the Scandinavian god of fertility, Frey, sacrificed at the midwinter festival of Yule.

What about our familiar Christmas decorations - the holly, ivy and mistletoe? Once upon a time, a very special garland of greenery, the kissing bough took pride of place in many homes, before the now standard Christmas tree supplanted it 150 years ago, while mistletoe was banned from churches, despite playing an important part decorating homes.

The exhibition unravels the many different strands and beliefs inherent in our favourite festival, painting a vivid picture of our very own unique customs, variously influenced by paganism, Christianity and of course blatant commercialism.

The Natural History of Christmas is at the Chepstow Museum, Bridge Street, until January 19.

The museum is open Monday-Saturday 11am-1pm and 2pm to 5pm, and Sunday 2pm to 5pm,(closed December 25-27 and January 1).