Traditions and History
The stories behind Christmas traditions and how they began. Articles cover Santa Claus, advent, nativity plays, Boxing Day and other festive customs.
Christmas Crackers: How They Came About
A confectioner named Thomas Smith invented Christmas crackers in Britain after watching sparks fly from a fireplace log.
How the Christmas Carol Came About
Christmas carols started as French circular dance celebrations and remain a free, joyful tradition that costs nothing but brings happiness.
Midnight Mass at Christmas
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve brings together tradition, ceremony, and celebration as churches mark the birth of Christ at the stroke of twelve.
Poinsettia: The Christmas Flower Tradition
The poinsettia has been a Christmas staple for centuries, named after a US ambassador who discovered it in Mexico and brought it home.
The Christmas Pantomime
A look at how Christmas pantomimes became a beloved tradition across Britain and beyond, from ancient roots to modern family entertainment.
The Christmas Stocking
How Christmas stockings became a holiday tradition, from Saint Nicholas dropping gold coins down chimneys to the socks hung by fireplaces today.
The History of Christmas Pudding
How a medieval meat dish transformed into the sweet Christmas pudding we serve today.
The School Nativity Play
Your child's school nativity play is a cherished Christmas tradition with roots back to medieval Italy and a lot of costume-making ahead.
The Tradition of Mistletoe and Holly
Holly and mistletoe have decorated homes for centuries, but their origins and strange properties might surprise you.
The Twelve Days of Christmas
Christmas used to be a twelve-day medieval party where social rules flipped upside down until the Reformation toned things down.
Traditional Nativity Celebration
The biblical account of Jesus's birth in Bethlehem and how Christians celebrate the nativity story during the Christmas season.
What Is the Significance of Advent?
Advent is a period of prayer and reflection that helps Christians focus on the religious meaning of Christmas beyond the commercialism and festivities.
Where Did Santa Claus Come from?
Santa Claus comes from Sinterklaas, a Turkish bishop who inspired gift-giving traditions across Europe and the world.
Why Christmas Lights?
Christmas lights have roots in history, starting with Martin Luther's candles and evolving into the electric displays we see today.
Why Do We Give Christmas Cards?
Christmas cards started as a Victorian trend in 1843 and became a beloved way to stay connected during the holiday season.
Why Is Boxing Day So Called?
Boxing Day gets its name from the British tradition of giving tips to service workers in boxes, not from any violent sport.
Why the Christmas Tree Came About
The Christmas tree has become a beloved holiday tradition, here's how the custom of selecting, bringing home, and decorating it together started.