Christmas stands as a global celebration that fills the winter months with warmth, light, and centuries of fascinating tradition. While many families follow the same annual routines, the holiday hides many surprising secrets and historical twists. Indeed, you can find a history of forbidden festivities and clever marketing schemes behind our modern seasonal cheer. Furthermore, these long-standing customs continue to shape how we decorate our homes and share gifts every year.
Christmas
The term “Xmas” actually has sacred roots and originated in Greece during the 16th century. The letter X represents the Greek symbol for Christ, so the shorthand serves as a religious symbol.
Germany produced the first artificial Christmas trees during the 19th century using dyed goose feathers. These early creations helped reduce the need for logging while offering families a reusable option for their holiday centerpieces.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer first appeared as a promotional character for the Montgomery Ward department store in 1939. An advertising copywriter named Robert L. May created the story to attract more shoppers to the retail chain.
Scientifically, Rudolph and the other reindeer should not have antlers on Christmas Eve. Male reindeer usually shed their antlers in early winter, so Santa’s team consists mostly of female reindeer who keep theirs until spring.
Japan maintains a unique modern tradition where millions of families eat KFC fried chicken for their main holiday meal. This custom started in the 1970s after a successful marketing campaign turned fast food into a festive staple.
Christmas was once illegal in Massachusetts because the Puritans believed the celebration promoted sinful and excessive behavior. From 1659 until 1681, anyone caught feasting or displaying festive cheer faced a fine of five shillings.
The tradition of putting tangerines in stockings began with 12th-century French nuns. They left socks filled with fruit and nuts at the houses for the people in need to celebrate the spirit of Saint Nicholas.
People historically used evergreen plants to decorate their homes during the winter solstice to remind them of coming spring. This ancient custom eventually evolved into the modern tradition of the Christmas tree that we recognize today.
The world’s tallest cut Christmas tree reached a height of 67.3 meters (221 feet) in a Seattle shopping mall in 1950. To illustrate, this massive Douglas fir stood taller than a 20-story building and remains a record-breaking achievement.
People in Catalonia add a unique figure called the “Caganer” to their traditional nativity scenes. This small statue depicts a person in a red hat who is in the middle of a bowel movement.
The song “Jingle Bells” was originally written in 1857 for Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. Specifically, James Lord Pierpont intended the tune to celebrate the popular sleigh races held in Massachusetts during November.
Tinsel was once a luxury item made of real silver that artisans hammered into thin strands during the 1600s. Under candlelight, the precious metal created a shimmering effect that looked much more magical than modern plastic versions.
In Norway, many families hide their broomsticks on Christmas Eve to protect their homes from mischievous spirits. This tradition stems from an old belief that witches would steal brooms to go joy-riding through the winter sky.
The first Christmas card appeared in 1843 after Sir Henry Cole commissioned an artist to design a festive greeting. He wanted a way to save time while replying to his many letters during the busy holiday season.
Finally, real Christmas trees take between seven and ten years to grow before farmers can sell them. This long growth cycle ensures that each tree has the strength and size to hold heavy ornaments and lights.
