The History of Christmas Traditions

Christians celebrate Christmas to observe the birth of Jesus Christ, which is an event and not a tradition; but many other activities related to celebrating the Christmas season evolved from certain traditions, many of which are from other countries, particularly from Europe.

Among common items used in Christmas decorations are holly and mistletoe. Both are used primarily in wreaths and garlands. The Druids started the tradition of using mistletoe as a decorative item two hundred years before Christ. To celebrate the winter season, the Druids would gather the plants and use them to decorate their homes. The Druids believed mistletoe would bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. They also believed that mistletoe had a healing quality and could be used for everything from healing wounds to increasing fertility.

In Scandinavia, mistletoe was seen as a plant of peace and harmony and was associated with Frigga, the goddess of love. This association is probably what led to the custom of kissing under the mistletoe. In the Victorian period, the English would also hang mistletoe from ceilings and in doorways during the holidays. The habit developed that if someone was standing under the mistletoe, someone else in the room would kiss that person. Such outright behavior was not generally seen in Victorian society.

The use of mistletoe in Christmas celebrations was once banned by the church because of its associations with pagan traditions and the use of holly was suggested as a substitute.

Poinsettias are another traditional decorative flower used at Christmas. It is native to Mexico and is named after Joel Poinsett, who was the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, and who brought the plants to America in 1828. Mexicans believe the plants were a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem and that's one reason they are associated with Christmas. There's also the story that a young boy was going to see the Nativity Play at a church but realized he didn't have a gift for Baby Jesus. The boy gathered some green branches, which others scoffed at, but as he placed them near the manger, a bright red poinsettia flower started to bloom on each branch, which gave rise to their traditional use at Christmas.

Candy canes became a Christmas tradition not because their red and white stripes matched the colors of the season, but for the most unusual reason of discipline. They were first used as treats that were give to German children to keep them well-behaved for the duration of church sermons. Over time, the legend of candy canes at Christmas came to be associated with some of the strongest symbols and beliefs of Christianity: the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, known as the Trinity: the Blood of the son of God; Jesus, as the embodiment of holiness, purity, and without sin; and the son of God as the shepherd of man. The candy cane represents these symbols respectively with its three stripes, its red and white color, and its shape.

Sending greeting cards during Christmas and the holidays is as prevalent today as the custom of giving gifts. The tradition of sending Christmas cards started in 1840 in Britain with the start of public postal delivery service of the “Penny Post.” Then, from about 1860, large numbers of Christmas greeting cards started being produced. The popularity of the cards increased in Britain when they could be sent by the postal service for one half-penny, which was half the price to post a standard letter at the time, if they were in an unsealed envelope. Religious pictures of Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, the angels, shepherds, and Wise Men were traditionally placed on Christmas cards. Some cards today include scenes from the Nativity, but pictures of Santa Claus, winter scenery, Christmas trees, and gift packages are also depicted on contemporary Christmas greeting cards.

The History of Christmas

Commercial activities during Christmas are often decried as making the season too materialistic. This has caused comments that the religious aspect of Christmas is so overlooked and overshadowed that its celebration seems to be purely pagan. Today's comparisons aren't the first time there has been some link between Christmas and pagan celebrations. As a religious event, church leaders instituted Christmas during winter because that time of year was a popular time for the celebrations of many pagan festivals. The hope was that Christmas would also become a holiday that would gain much popularity.

Long before the birth of Jesus Christ, people in various parts of Europe would celebrate light and birth in the darkest days of winter. The winter solstice, when the harshest part of winter was over, was a time of celebration for many people because they would look forward to more hours of sunlight during the longer days ahead.

The Norse in Scandinavia celebrated Yule from the winter solstice on December 21 through January. Men brought home logs that were lighted and a feast would take place until the log was completely burned. Each spark from the fire was believed to represent a new pig or calf to be born in the coming year.

The pagan god, Oden, was honored by Germans during the mid-winter holiday. Oden inspired great fear in the Germans who believed that Oden traveled through the sky at night to observe people and make decisions about who would perish or prosper in life. This belief caused most people to stay inside during the period.

In Rome, it was the god of agriculture, Saturn, who was honored in a holiday called Saturnalia. It was a holiday that started during the week that led up to the winter solstice and continued for a month with hedonistic celebrations. There was plenty of food and drink and the normal social class rules of who had privilege and power in Roman society were totally disregarded as everyone participated in the festivities. Some Romans also had a feast called Juvenalia to honor children and the birthday of the sun god, Mithra, was sometimes celebrated by the upper classes.

In the early years of the start of Christianity, the main holiday was Easter. It was in the 4th Century that church officials made a decision to have the birth of Jesus celebrated as a holiday and Pope Julius I chose December 25 as the day of Jesus' birth. The holiday, which was first called the Feast of the Nativity, spread to England by the end of the 6th Century and to Scandinavia by the end of the 8th Century.

Church leaders achieved the goal of having Christmas celebrations, including attendance at church, become popular during the winter solstice, but they were unable to control other pagan-like celebrations during Christmas. Believers would attend church on Christmas and then participate later in raucous and drunken celebrations. But by the Middle Ages, from around the 5th to the 16th Century, Christianity had outgrown paganism as a religion.

The celebration of Christmas in Europe changed in the early 17th Century when Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans gained power in England in 1645. To remove decadent behavior from society, Cromwell cancelled Christmas as the Puritans noted that the Bible doesn't mention any date for Jesus' birth. The lack of this information and specific Biblical references to Christmas is also cited by religious groups like Jehovah Witnesses as the reason they don't observe or participate in Christmas. Christmas celebrations returned to England around 1649 when Charles II was restored to the throne.

Christmas wasn't a holiday in early America because the Pilgrims who came to America had even stricter beliefs than Cromwell and the Puritans. Christmas celebrations were even forbidden in Boston from 1659 to 1681. During the same time, however, settlers in Jamestown, Virginia were reported to have enjoyed Christmas.

After the American Revolution, Christmas again lost popularity and it wasn't until June 26, 1870 that Christmas was declared a federal holiday. Christmas in the United States gained popularity as a holiday period during the 19th Century. Christmas celebrations also changed at that time to be more family-centered rather than being carnival-like.

Why Christmas is All About Children

It could be said that, since it was the birth of a baby as a gift to mankind that gave rise to Christmas, children should be the primary focus of the season. Individual families will say they have always put children first, and parents will sacrifice their own desires at Christmas to make sure their children are satisfied. Although adults look forward with much anticipation to the Christmas season, the frenzy that accounts for all the shopping and preparation during the Christmas season is really for the benefit of children.

From a financial perspective, the extensive shopping done at Christmas is really of benefit to businesses. But what really drives the maddening shopping activity is a desire by parents, relatives, friends, and acquaintances to play Santa Claus, mainly for children. Within families, children are usually the ones who receive the most gifts. This is deservedly so because their wide-eyed anticipation, excitement, and pure joy when they open their Christmas presents gives everyone an indescribably happy feeling.

Along with playing Santa Claus and secretly getting gifts for children, adults also use the Santa story for all it's worth as an effective means of discipline. As soon as the Fall season approaches, children will begin to hear warnings about their behavior and the consequence of Santa Claus not leaving any toys or presents. When the Santa Claus story is not being used to help to get the best behavior from children, it is simply pure fun to delight them by telling them stories about Santa Claus, his elves, and reindeer to enliven their imagination.

The story of Santa Claus is even useful for older children who may just be starting to unravel the mystery of Santa Claus. The stories that tell of different places where Santa Claus actually lives can be a starting point to go on an imaginative journey around the globe and may become a geography lesson to learn about those places.

Children are also central to Christmas because the many grand displays of Christmas scenery, colorful lights, and sparkling ornaments really target the attention of children. If children were not so important at Christmas time, then it is quite possible that many of the traditions that make Christmas what it is would not exist.

Christmas is also an important period for the toy industry whose clients are naturally children. Although the industry is part of the big retail picture and, therefore, seeks to boost sales during the Christmas season, there is also a deeper meaning for children. Toys are important to entertain, to educate, to help develop imagination, and to develop coordination and other skills in children. Toys can also help children to play together and learn to share.

The toy industry is important at Christmas time in introducing new products that are integral to the development of children. When children become totally captivated by a new toy at Christmas time, it may help them to learn a new skill, or provide new knowledge, all in a fun and captivating way that will make it more likely that whatever is learned will be remembered.

Children are also the focus of Christmas celebrations because it is important to create fond childhood memories of the season. These memories are created not by children necessarily receiving a lot, but by enjoying everything about the season. The story of Jesus, with the moral of sharing, giving, and doing kind deeds for others, can also help to build good character and to set a moral foundation that teaches children to have empathy and compassion during the Christmas season and all throughout the year.

Making Memories During Christmas and the Holidays

A favorite Christmas song has a line that describes Christmas as “'the most wonderful time of the year.” While giving and receiving gifts is something that is highly anticipated and remembered at Christmas time, there are many more activities that make Christmas memorable and wonderful.

One of these activities is decorating the Christmas Tree. The Christmas Tree occupies a central spot and is the most visible display of Christmas in most homes. Unlike in other countries, most American homes do not have a representation of the Nativity scene, which is more likely to be located at churches.

As soon as the Christmas season begins on the day after Thanksgiving, families will begin their search for the perfect Christmas Tree. This in itself can become a memorable activity as children may accompany family members to places like a Christmas tree farm to select a tree.

Once a real or artificial tree is selected, it's an exciting activity for the entire family to play a part in decorating the tree. Manufactured decorations come in many shapes and forms. A special memory is created when family members make a special ornament for the Christmas Tree, or contribute one or more keepsake items to decorate the Christmas Tree. It then becomes a ritual each year for those particular items to be placed on the Christmas Tree although other decorations may change in coming years.

Another activity that can help to create special memories at Christmas is baking cookies. Along with popular gingerbread cookies, using cookie cutters to make special holiday-shaped cookies is also practiced a lot in households. Based on the ages of children, they can help in the actual baking activity by measuring and mixing some ingredients, or, younger children can sprinkle sugar on the cookies or decorate them with icing when they are finished. Helping in this activity can also be educational as parents can use the activity of measuring and figuring out equivalent measures to teach fractions and other mathematical elements.

An activity that is related to food which also helps to create memories during the Christmas season is making fruit and goody baskets, which are filled with candies, baked items, and other treats for loved ones, special friends, neighbors, teachers, or for charity. Items such as goody baskets make especially wonderful Christmas gifts because they are homemade. That quality often makes them more treasured than a Christmas present that is bought at the store.

Because Christmas is the season of goodwill and good cheer, it is very important to reach out to family, loved ones, and friends during the season. The busy lives that many people lead today often leave them little or no time during the year to be in frequent contact with family and friends who are located far away, or even with others who live within a reasonable distance.

It is, therefore, very common during Christmas to send a Christmas or holiday greeting card to those individuals. Along with the pleasant memory of receiving the card, there may be a short letter included that gives a brief account of any significant event in the individual's life or with members of the family. This makes sending and receiving Christmas greeting cards even more memorable.

Then there's probably the most anticipated activity of Christmas - finding out what Christmas gifts Santa brought on Christmas Eve. While adults also look forward with much anticipation to see what Christmas gifts they will get, it's really the children who get the most delight from receiving presents at Christmas. The carefully planned actions to hide Christmas presents from children, and then to magically place them under the Christmas tree to be found on Christmas morning, is one of the most wonderful ways to create unforgettable memories for children at Christmas.

Yuletide Days of Old - Ancient Customs of Christmas

Christmas, as a holiday period, was instituted and celebrated at about the same time as other winter solstice festivities, because church leaders at the time believed it would make more people participate in the new holiday period. That objective was achieved, but people also carried over some pagan celebrations and traditions into the religious Christmas celebrations.

As an example, people would attend church and then take part in a raucous, drunken, and carnival-like celebration that has some similarities to Mardi Gras. During this celebration every year, there would be a crowning of a beggar or student as the “Lord of Misrule.” Those taking part in the activities would pretend to be loyal subjects to the Lord of Misrule.

During this time some of the poor would also visit the rich in their houses and ask for some of their best food and drink. Those among the rich who didn't cooperate would be subject to rowdy behavior and mischief by the poor. For their part, the rich used Christmas as the time when they would reach out to the poorer members of society by tolerating them in such visits or by leaving out food and clothing for them.

For many centuries before the birth of Christ and the recognition of Christmas, there had been celebrations in many countries during the middle of winter. During the darkest days of winter for example, the early Europeans were said to celebrate light and birth. The winter solstice was a period of rejoicing for many people because it meant that the worst part of winter was over and they could therefore look forward to having days that were longer with more hours of sunlight.

In that tradition, the Norse peoples in Scandinavia would celebrate a period of Yule from December 21, which was the winter solstice or start of winter, through January. To recognize the re-emergence of the sun, fathers and their sons would take large logs home and set them on fire. There would then be a big feast until the log was completely burned out. That could take as many as twelve days to happen.

The custom also was one of hope for the Norse because there was the belief among them that every spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born in the New Year. Many parts of Europe also thought that the end of December was a perfect time to celebrate because, during that time, a lot of cattle would be killed to avoid having to feed them during winter. For many people, the end of December was the only time during the year when they had a significant amount of fresh meat. Also, by that time of year, wine and beer that was made earlier in the year would have fermented and would have finally been ready for drinking.

The tradition of Santa Claus has also been an ancient legend with slight differences, or variations, going back to the 1700s in some countries. In Germany and Switzerland, children who were well behaved would receive a Christmas present from Christkind or Kris Kringle. Christkind, which means “Christ child,” was believed to be an angel-like figure that went along with St. Nicholas on his holiday journeys to deliver gifts.

A jolly elf by the name of Jultomten was believed to deliver presents in Scandinavia, in a sleigh that was pulled by goats. In France, Pere Noel is the one who fills the shoes of French children with Christmas gifts, sweets, or treats at Christmas time.

In Russia, there's a legend that Babushka was an elderly woman who gave incorrect directions to Bethlehem to the three Wise Men so that they wouldn't find Jesus. She later felt sorry for doing so but couldn't find the Wise Men to tell them about the error. Today in Russia, it is believed that on January 5, the day before the Epiphany or Three Kings Day, Babushka visits Russian children and leaves presents by their bedsides, in the hope that one of the children will be Baby Jesus and will forgive her.

What Makes Christmas Magical?

Christmas is a special time of the year for the joy and intangible magic that fills the season. It comes through in the delightful decorations, glorious get-togethers with family and friends, and the sheer feeling of joy one gets from giving and receiving gifts.

Although the commercialization of Christmas is often decried, shopping is an important and central activity to some of the intangible magic of Christmas. It is at the malls or downtown stores that some of the favorite sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas can be experienced.

The decorations at malls and retail establishments are usually very fanciful and eye-catching, especially to children, with the many colorful and twinkling lights. It's also a wonder, for both adults and children alike, to look at the numerous tinsels, baubles, and figurines such as fairies and angels that adorn the main Christmas Tree in the center of shopping malls and department stores. These trees are usually extremely well embellished with decorations that are arranged in a very professional way that most shoppers can't replicate in their own homes. It is, therefore, a delight for them to stare at such trees in wonder and amazement.

Along with the wide variety of decorations in retail establishments, there is also the sound of music playing, bells ringing, and the laughter and wishes of Merry Christmas from shoppers, which also create a special atmosphere and add to the magic of Christmas. Even the sound of cash registers in the background adds something to the special feeling shoppers have at Christmas time.

Of course, there's always a Santa Claus that children can meet, tell what they want for Christmas, and also have their picture taken with. Sometimes Santa Claus may distribute Christmas gifts to children, telling them that because they have been very, very good they are getting an extra special early Christmas present.

The ability to delight children by telling them stories about Santa Claus, as well as making them see and talk to the jolly old fellow, puts a lot of magic and excitement into Christmas. Once the tradition is started, or from the first time that children have been told the story, it becomes something that they look forward to every year during the Christmas season.

There is also the sound of music from choirs or school groups, who often give open performances singing Christmas carols and songs in malls and downtown areas. Families, and others who are out and about, will pause to listen, or to sing along with these groups.

Shopping is undoubtedly an enjoyable activity for most people during Christmas, but merrier and more memorable times are enjoyed when time is spent with family, friends, and colleagues during the season. Before Christmas Day arrives, there are usually parties at home and at work, evenings out with friends, and other occasions to get together and share the spirit of Christmas. The presence of special Christmas music and people dressed in holiday attire provide a different atmosphere and contribute to the magical feeling of the season.

Another thing that is different at Christmas is the scent from a fresh Christmas Tree, of gingerbread and other cookies baking, and other food preparations that are specially done at Christmas time. Most people who select a real Christmas Tree, instead of an artificial one, for their homes do so because of the wonderful scent it provides. For many people, that scent from a Christmas Tree is what puts Christmas into everything else.

Another popular scent at Christmas comes from the popular Christmas song “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire.” The actual roasting of chestnuts during the Christmas season may be a rare occurrence these days, but it is occasionally done in some downtown areas, and in bakeries and confectioneries that make fresh products everyday.

All of these events, activities, happenings, sights, sounds, and scents of Christmas create special and unforgettable memories. Who can deny that a pleasant memory is always something that is truly magical?

Christmas Day

The Christmas season, and all its activities, are geared to the big day, December 25, which is Christmas Day. The word “Christmas” is derived from the Middle English “Christemasse” and the Old English “Cristes maesse,” both of which mean “Christ's Mass.” The day is celebrated by Christians as the day that Jesus Christ was born, although the true date of Jesus' birth isn't really known.

Given the religious significance of Christmas Day, it therefore follows that attending church is a big tradition on that day. It is seen as mandatory for devout Christians and for others who are concerned about retaining the sacred meaning of the day. Many people fear that the sacred aspects of Christmas are being lost and overshadowed amid the bustle of commercial activity now associated with the entire season.

Church services often take place early on Christmas morning. Attending these services is the first official activity that many people do on Christmas Day. Unlike the Midnight Mass and other earlier church services on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day services do not usually include the dramatization of the birth of Jesus. They may be more subdued with a sermon that recounts the birth of Jesus and his purpose to save mankind. The congregation is then exalted to be as giving as Jesus and to help out those who are in need.

Consequently, many people will take some time on Christmas Day to volunteer in a charitable activity, such as serving dinner to the poor and hungry at a church, charitable organization, or other social services center. Others will work with charitable organizations to distribute toys to needy children at shelters, hospitals, and other places. As part of the religious aspect of Christmas Day, groups that sing Christmas carols will also be out very early on Christmas morning.

Although Christmas Dinner is the most significant meal of the day, a large breakfast will also be served in most households that will be shared by all family members. The occasion of all family members having a meal together is a disappearing tradition in many American households and so Christmas is seen as a perfect time to return to the tradition. Christmas Day, after all, is all about family, sharing and togetherness.

Throughout the day, greetings of “Merry Christmas” will be exchanged by telephone calls with family, friends, acquaintances, and loved ones who are located elsewhere in the country and overseas. It is a common occurrence for so many people to be trying to make international calls to loved ones and friends on Christmas Day that telephone communication systems to some countries often are overwhelmed. The availability of technology and the Internet eases that problem somewhat nowadays, however, as e-mails and instant messaging can also be used as other communication channels to exchange greetings on Christmas Day.

Christmas Dinner is undoubtedly the central activity of the day. Family and friends gathered for dinner take pleasure in enjoying and sharing a delicious meal, and also are mindful and thankful for the opportunity to be able to share the meal, to have each other, and for the material things that make their lives comfortable and give them happiness.

Some of those material things are then shared in absolute delight as everyone gathers around the Christmas Tree after dinner to exchange and open Christmas presents. It's an activity that is relished and which is filled with much laughter, happy chatter, and merriment, especially by children who are usually very delighted to get a toy that they had wished for.

After dinner and the exchange of presents, adults may have light conversations, play games, or even watch a movie. Children are often taken up with experimenting or playing with their new toys. It has also become a tradition on Christmas Day for members of some families, such as teenagers and young adults, to end Christmas Day by attending the movie theater on Christmas Evening or Christmas Night to see a recently released film.

Christmas Eve

The day before Christmas is one that is filled with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. There's anxiety at putting all the final plans and finishing touches in place and getting all the necessary shopping done. There's also much anticipation about all the merriment and excitement of Christmas day. Children are usually hardly able to control themselves as they think about the Christmas gifts they hope to get the next day. They may try to stay up through the night to catch Santa Claus, or they may just be too excited to sleep.

Christmas Eve is also important for the simple reason that in ancient custom, and among some cultures today, a holiday or other celebrated day really starts from sundown of the day before the actual day that is celebrated. Therefore, festivities and observances for Christmas Day would really begin on Christmas Eve.

One of the most significant aspects of Christmas Eve, however, is related to religion. Attending Midnight Mass or earlier church services is mandatory for many people whose religion is Christianity. This is so even for people who aren't regular churchgoers during the year. Evidence of the importance of these church services can be seen in the overflow of congregations at the churches. Many churches will also have an added service earlier in the evening to accommodate the above normal attendance, and also for individuals, such as the elderly, who would prefer a service that is earlier than Midnight Mass.

Another important aspect of Christmas Eve celebrations is related to retail operations. On the day before Christmas, stores make a last ditch effort to push sales of Christmas and other merchandise. There are often special promotions, advertised at the last minute, to capitalize on late, desperate Christmas shoppers and other impulse buyers. This last effort is also aimed at increasing sales for the Christmas period.

Some stores will remain open late, even up to midnight or just before midnight. Macy's department store in New York City, which bills that particular store branch as the world's largest, stayed open until midnight on Christmas Eve of 1867 for the first time. Christmas Eve is the culmination of the single biggest shopping season, which starts the day after Thanksgiving, for retailers.

Christmas Eve is also important for the traditions associated with it. It is the night when parents have to play the role of Santa Claus and sneak toys and other Christmas gifts under the Christmas tree to the absolute delight and surprise of children who awake on Christmas morning to find the presents.

The idea of Santa Claus coming descending chimneys on Christmas Eve to leave gifts for good boys and girls was made popular by a poem, attributed to Clement Clarke Moore. The poem titled “An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas,” which Moore wrote in 1822, is now popularly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas.” In the poem, Moore described Santa Claus as “a right jolly old elf” who went from house to house, with his sleigh pulled by reindeer flying through the air, to deliver Christmas presents to all the girls and boys who had been well behaved.

Food plays a big role in making Christmas Day special, and much of its preparation often begins on Christmas Eve. Poultry and other meats are often prepared by letting them stand in a mixture of various herbs and spices. Puddings and pies are baked on Christmas Eve, as well as a fresh batch of gingerbread and other cookies and treats.

The scents and flurry of activity related to all these preparations also help to make Christmas Eve a memorable day on its own.

Christmas in Central and South America

In Central and South American nations, which have a fairly large Christian population, the Nativity or Manger Scene, is the main decoration in homes at Christmas time. In Mexico, a Christmas tree may also be set up in some homes along with a Nativity scene or “Nacimiento.” The Christmas tree is usually a small artificial tree, called an “arbolito.” It can also be as simple as a branch cut from a special type of tree, or a type of shrub that is minimally decorated.

The primary Christmas celebration in Mexico is called “La Posada.” It is a religious procession that dramatizes how Joseph and Mary tried to find a place where Jesus could be born. During the procession, the participants carry images of Mary and Joseph and go from house to house seeking a place to stay.

During Midnight Mass, which is called “la Misa del Gallo” or “rooster's mass,” those in attendance sing lullabies to Jesus. On Christmas Day, children receive gifts as well as candies that are stuffed into a piñata, which is a sculpture made of papier mache that is hung from the ceiling. Children are blindfolded and they take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks and scatters the candies on the floor. All the children then scamper around as they try to get as much candy as they can. Children also receive a gift on January 6 from the Three Wise Men if they were good.

People in Venezuela usually put out “pesebres,” which show the Nativity scene, on December 16. Early morning church services, called “Misa de Aguinaldo,” are also common from December 16 to Christmas Eve. After Mass on Christmas Eve, a grand dinner is traditionally enjoyed.

In Argentina, red and white garlands are used to decorate houses. After attending Midnight Mass, Argentineans have a meal, toast each other, dance, and go out to see fireworks. The meal may be roasted pork or turkey, stuffed tomatoes, mince pies, Christmas bread, and puddings. Drinks such as cider, and juice made from different fruits are used for the toast. Christmas gifts are opened on Christmas Eve just before the family retires to bed.

In Chile, Santa Claus is Father Christmas and is known as “Viejito Pascuero.” He arrives in a similar, but slightly different, manner to Santa Claus because his reindeer are pulled by a taxi cab. Chileans use small figures made from clay to place near the Christmas tree in a display called “pesebre” to show the Nativity story. The traditional Christmas dinner includes chicken soup with stuffed potatoes, onions, and corn on the cob. Another favorite item is a Christmas bread that is called “pan de pasqua,” which is made with candies and fruits.

Christmas customs in Brazil originate from the many different ethnic groups who make up the country. The Nativity scene is called the “Presepio” and can commonly be found displayed in homes, churches, and stores. “Papai Noel,” or Father Noel, resides in Greenland and brings gifts at Christmas. He is said to wear silk clothing because Christmas occurs during summer when it is very hot in Brazil.

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is called “Missa do Gallo,” because the coming day is announced by the rooster and the Mass finishes at 1 am on the following day. A traditional Christmas dinner, called “Ceia de Natal,” includes ham, turkey, colored rice, a variety of vegetables, and fruit dishes. Christmas Day Mass at Catholic churches is mainly held in the late afternoon because people enjoy sleeping late or going to the beach after having Christmas dinner. Christmas festivities, which include folk dancing and singing, continue until January 6th, which is called Three Kings Day.

Christmas in the United States and Canada

Many of the celebrations in the United States that are associated with Christmas were traditions brought over by German and English immigrants. Along with the well-known and practiced tradition of a brightly decorated Christmas Tree, other traditions brought by these immigrants include Advent calendars, Christmas greeting cards, gingerbread houses, and gingerbread cookies.

Today, Christmas in the United States can be seen as focused around family, travel, shopping, and decorations. Family and travel go together during Christmas in the United States because family members often have to travel fairly long distances to be with each other. The growth of cities that have primarily economic activity, suburbs for residences, as well as the fact of different industries being found in certain geographic locations, are among the reasons that family members often live great distances from each other in separate states.

Christmas and its festivities therefore present a wonderful opportunity for many members of the family to gather in celebration and see each other in an intimate setting. The traveling involved makes the Christmas season a busy time of the year for rail and air travel.

The occasion of seeing many family members at Christmas is also linked to the activity of shopping, which is an important feature of Christmas in the United States. The Christmas season officially begins on the Friday after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, which now ranks second in shopping for a single day. The first is the Saturday before Christmas.

Much of the shopping that is done is to purchase gifts for friends and family. Gifts for family members are usually exchanged after dinner on Christmas Day, when everyone gathers in the room with the Christmas Tree. Gifts are usually left at the base of the Christmas Tree in the weeks leading up to Christmas Day. Gifts may also be exchanged before Christmas at parties held by friends and parties held at workplaces.

Second to gifts, shopping is also done at Christmas for decorations. While the Christmas Tree may be the centerpiece of attraction, garlands, wreaths, candles and decorative lighting placed outside on lawns, or along rooflines, are also used to create a home’s beautiful holiday appearance.

Canadians enjoy Christmas activities which are similar to those celebrated in the United States. This is so because, in the 1700s, when some German immigrants in the United States migrated to Canada, they continued to practice many of the activities associated with Christmas. The geographical proximity of the two countries also means they share many things, and similarities in Christmas traditions are no exception.

One thing that accounts for the difference between the two countries however, is the Eskimo population in Canada. Eskimos in Canada celebrate a festival during winter and have other traditions that are absent from American Christmas celebrations.

A practice also exists in Nova Scotia in which small groups of masked individuals march around about two weeks before Christmas. These masked groups attract attention by creating a stir with much bell ringing, and engaging in a noisy caper in an aim to get candy, sweets, and goodies from onlookers.

This tradition bears some similarity to Jonkonoo celebrations in the neighboring islands of the Caribbean. Those celebrations also involve masked individuals, including some that appear on stilts that make them as tall as trees. The parade of Jonkonoo regales onlookers with various antics and presents a minor scare to some children, who are then calmed with candies and other treats.

In Nova Scotia, onlookers can try to calm the noise and rowdiness just a little if they can correctly guess the identity of the masked person. A correct guess puts an end to the noise as the mask is removed, exposing the individual. For their part, maskers also play nice by jovially nudging answers from children about whether they have been naughty or nice, and handing out candies and treats accordingly.

A Caribbean Christmas

In the tropical islands of the Caribbean, the temperature is above 75 degrees from January 1st to December 31st, which means that it is warm and pleasant during Christmas. The Christmas season in the Caribbean is also pleasant because it is far removed from the rainy season, which usually occurs from late March to May. During Christmas time in the Caribbean, the temperature is also more temperate and tolerable compared to the searing hot days of the summer months.

As in many parts of the world, family, merriment, and gift-giving are among the many activities that the people of the Caribbean enjoy during Christmas. Families often live in fairly close proximity to each other, however. But what makes getting together at Christmas so special is that if often involves intense and laborious preparations that are not done at any other time of the year.

In many homes, an intense cleaning is done in the two or three weeks before Christmas Day. All furniture is moved, and may even be rearranged, and new and fancy curtains are put up for the season. The best bed linens, tablecloths, cutlery, and dinnerware are also used in entertaining any visitors during the season. It is a common occurrence for visitors, including people from the neighborhood, to stop for short visits during the season.

During those visits, guests are entertained with certain food and drinks, many of which are made only at Christmas time. These include fermented drinks such as sorrel and mauby, as well as the alcoholic drink, rum punch. A special type of cake, called Black Cake, or fruitcake, is also made at Christmas. It is made with raisins and other dried fruits that are minced and placed in wine for several weeks.

This cake is the traditional dessert for Christmas dinner. The main menu of a traditional Caribbean Christmas dinner includes baked poultry, roast beef, ham, boiled and steamed root vegetables, rice with peas, seasoned rice or rice pilaf with sorrel, and rum punch or mauby as the beverage.

Caroling has also been a tradition, although its practice has been declining in recent years. Small groups from churches or schools will walk through neighborhoods singing Christmas carols, or will drive from house to house to sing carols in neighborhoods, primarily in rural areas, where houses are not always found in close proximity.

Two Christmas traditions that are unique to the Caribbean are the practice of Jonkonoo and having a grand market. Jonkonoo consists of a group of masked revelers who take part in a parade dancing to the beats of drums, shaking tambourines and improvised instruments. The group also includes stilt walkers who appear as tall as some trees and single-story buildings. Jonkonoos perform various antics to amuse onlookers and give candies and treats to children, especially younger children, who may seem scared of any of the Jonkonoo participants.

Grand market is the big outdoor market that takes place the week before Christmas up to Christmas Eve. Outdoor markets, found in the central points of regional towns, are common in the Caribbean as a place to get fresh fruits, vegetables, and produce that are grown by local farmers. But at Christmas time, they also become filled with assorted items that can be given as gifts, and they bustle with activity even after nightfall. It is a special treat for children to accompany parents to grand market during the Christmas season.

Since Christmas falls during the high winter tourist season in the Caribbean, Christmas is also an opportunity for many school children to perform for tourists. Many hotels take advantage of the fact that most schools and churches will have singing and dramatic groups that perform the Christmas story and sing carols and Christmas songs. These groups are often invited to provide local entertainment at hotels and guesthouses during Christmas.

Similarities between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah Celebrations at Christmas

Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas, however. The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also one reason that people also give wishes of Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas during the season.

Although both activities are very different and were originated for different reasons, some similarities can be found between the two practices. Both celebrations have commitment as a central and important theme. They also both include symbolic forms of light and are both commemorated over almost the same number of days – seven days from December 26 to January 1 for Kwanzaa, and eight days and night for Hanukkah, usually starting about one week before Christmas Day.

Starting with its origination, Hanukkah celebrations date to an event in 165 B.C. when the Jews were victorious over the Syrians. Hanukkah started as a way to restore and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem that had been desecrated, including its golden menorah, by the Syrians. The festival also served the purpose of once more observing and re-instituting rituals that the Syrians had forbidden during their rule.

Kwanzaa was started 40 years ago by a university professor as a way for African-Americans, and others in the African diaspora, to engage in celebrations that included elements of African culture. While Kwanzaa is not as popular as Christmas, it keeps growing, and its goal has been achieved to some extent as it is now practiced in many nations such as those in the Caribbean, which have a large population of people of African ancestry. The wide availability of Kwanzaa greeting cards, and even postage stamps, at Christmas time, also attests to the extent to which the celebration has entered the mainstream.

The primary symbol of Hanukkah, the menorah, which consists of eight individual lights, is very much a part of the mainstream. Menorahs are available today in various shapes and sizes. A single standard requirement that must be observed in making a menorah is that there should be enough separation between the flames of each of the eight lights so that they don't give the total effect of a single large flame when all are lit. A flame is lit each night over the eight days in remembrance of how a small quantity of oil from the desecrated Temple kept a menorah burning for eight days, when the amount should have only lasted for a single day. It was that miraculous occurrence that gave rise to the Hanukkah celebration to light a menorah over eight days.

Kwanzaa symbols include a candleholder and seven candles that represent the roots of African ancestors and seven core principles of Kwanzaa respectively. Other symbols are: The Crops for African harvest, Mat for African tradition, Corn for the future represented by children, the Unity Cup, and the Gifts. The Flag and Poster of Seven Principles are two supplemental symbols. These items can be found at specialty African and African-American shops in some malls and in towns with a heavy concentration of African and African-American populations.

Among the most important features of Kwanzaa are the seven core principles and the values they embody: self-determination, unity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. These seven principles are meant to be a foundation and guide upon which the African diaspora can build a strong, successful, and fulfilling life while maintaining a connection to their roots. While not religious, the principles of Kwanzaa are meant to instill a strong sense of spirituality in individuals. Kwanzaa seeks to instill spirituality upon which individuals can build self-confidence and secure self-identity through a link to their roots.

This sense of spirituality and connection to one's history, roots, or ancestry is also an element of similarity between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.

Christmas in African Nations

Christmas celebrations in African nations are characterized by much outdoor activity because the season often occurs during a time when the weather is pleasant. Using palm trees and participating in processions are also characteristic features of activities related to Christmas in many parts of Africa.

In South Africa, activities that occur outside during Christmas include the usual caroling, but also the unusual ones of swimming and camping. The beach and mountains play an important role during Christmas in South Africa because the season occurs during the hottest time of the year – summer.

Given the pleasant nature of the weather during Christmas, families also take advantage of it by often going sightseeing in the countryside on a relaxing drive during the late evening of Christmas Day. A rich and sumptuous menu that includes a suckling pig or roast beef, turkey, mince pies, yellow rice, vegetables, and puddings usually makes up the traditional South African Christmas dinner.

To create a festive environment, decorated pine branches and fir, sparkling cotton wool and tinsel are used in homes and businesses as decorations. A similar decorative pattern of using evergreen, palm trees, and lighted candles are also seen in countries such as Ghana and Liberia. While these are used in homes and businesses, they are also often carried in processions and during caroling activities.

While South Africans gather at the beach during Christmas time to enjoy the warm summer waters, people in other African nations often gather outside in town squares, and in the streets, to march, sing, and enjoy an overall feeling of merriment.

Despite the seemingly general similarity in activities, however, countries have their own individual styles that make Christmas celebrations unique.

Of all the celebrations in African nations, Christmas activities in Ethiopia stand out for their differences in when they are celebrated and how they are done. One of the features that makes Ethiopian Christmas different is that the main celebratory event occurs on January 7, around the time known as the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day, in North and South America.

Given the general modest economic and financial situations of a significant number of the population in many African countries, Christmas celebrations also tend to occur over a shorter period of time as compared to activities in wealthier countries.

Another difference in celebrations of Christmas in Ethiopia is the participation of various people who take part in a pilgrimage and converge on the capital city during Christmas Eve. These wanderers fill the night air with a din of praying and chanting and create a multicolor spectacle when they gather on Christmas morning to have a religious service.

Retaining a similarity with other African nations, Ethiopians enjoy a Christmas dinner that includes a meat stew. Stews, rice, root vegetables such as yams, breads, and soups often are part of the menu of traditional Christmas Day dinners in African nations. Christmas dinners are likely enjoyed by families outside, where everyone shares the meal while sitting in a circular pattern outside under the shade of a sprawling tree, instead of sitting in a formal setting at a table.

As is the practice in every household during Christmas, Africans also exchange gifts. Popular items that are exchanged as Christmas gifts include cotton cloth, soaps, sweets, pencils, and books, all very practical items that can be readily used. Again, this may be related to the modest financial resources of up to half the population in many African countries, as well as to cultural norms. Individuals aren't able to afford extravagant gifts but they still want to surprise children, family, and friends at Christmas with unexpected gifts. The generally pervasive cultural norms of humility and modesty that exist among traditional African peoples also play an important role in not having overreaching extravagance at Christmas.

Christmas in Other European Countries

In Finland, Christmas Eve is the traditional time to set up the Christmas Tree, and it's also traditional to visit the sauna, and for families to listen to a broadcast of the national “Peace of Christmas” on the radio. Christmas Dinner generally consists of a main dish of boiled codfish that is snowy and fluffy in appearance, served with cream sauce and boiled potatoes. Christmas dinner is rounded out with roast suckling pig, or roasted fresh ham, and vegetables. Among peasants, there is a tradition to tie a sheaf of grain, with nuts and seeds, to a pole that is put in a garden for birds. Many peasants will wait until after the birds have eaten before having their Christmas Dinner. Santa Claus is expected to visit homes in person with his Christmas elves to give out Christmas gifts.

Christmas in France is called Noel, from the phrase, “les bonnes nouvelles, or “the good news,” which refers to the gospel. On Christmas Eve, cathedrals and churches are beautifully lit and filled with the sounds of Christmas carols, ringing church bells, and carillons. The tradition among children is to put their shoes by the fireplace for Pere Noel, or le petit Jesus, to fill them with gifts.

In the north of France however, children receive gifts on December 6, St. Nicholas Day, instead of Christmas. Most French homes will have a Nativity scene or crèche on display during the season. In Southern France, some people will burn a log in their home from Christmas Eve until New Years Day, which comes out of a farming tradition of using the log for good luck in the coming harvest.

The French also make a traditional cake called the “buche de Noel,” or Christmas Log, which is shaped like a Yule log and is part of a late supper called “le reveillon,” held after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. The main dish for this meal generally consists of poultry, ham, salads, cake, fruit, and wine, but varies according to region. The main course in Burgundy is turkey with chestnuts, and in Paris it's oysters, foie gras, and the buche de Noel cake. The wines generally served are Champagne, Muscadet, Sauterne, and Anjou. An annual tradition of puppet shows, particularly in Paris and Lyons, is popular during Christmas time. In Paris, it's also popular for big department stores to have grand, animated window displays.

Christmas in Italy is called “Il Natale,” or “the birthday.” Christmas season starts eight days before Christmas, a period called the Novena, and runs for three weeks. During the Novena, children dress as shepherds and go from house to house saying Christmas poems, singing, and playing pipes. They often receive money to buy gifts during this activity. The Nativity scene, called the Presepio, has miniature figures, carved in great detail out of clay or plaster, of the Holy Family in the stable and is the center of Christmas for families. Families say prayers and children recite poems around the Presepio.

Christmas Eve dinner, called “cenone,” is a traditional dish of roasted, baked, or fried eel. In some regions, various types of fish is prepared for this dinner, as well as pork, sausage in a pig's leg, or turkey stuffed with chestnuts. Christmas sweets are called panettone and traditionally have nuts and almonds. On Christmas Eve, children set out their shoes for a kind, old woman or ugly witch, called “La Befana,” who rides on a broomstick down chimneys, to fill them with gifts of toys or candies. If they were bad, their shoes will be filled with coal. Some children wait until January 6, the Epiphany, to receive gifts.

Norway is where the tradition of the Yule log started, which gave rise to log-shaped cakes, cheese, and other desserts during the holidays. Norwegians today often go into the forest to cut their own Christmas Trees, which are secretly decorated on Christmas Eve to surprise children. After the Christmas Tree is revealed, Norwegians engage in “circling the Christmas tree,” a
tradition in which everyone joins hands forming a ring around the tree. They then walk around the Christmas Tree singing carols. Gifts are distributed after this ritual is finished.

Christmas Around the World

Christmas, as celebrated today, is a culmination of centuries of traditions that are religious and secular, and which came from different countries around the world. It is interesting, therefore, to look at some of the general ways in which Christmas is celebrated in these countries. The traditions examined for each country will be examples of some of the things that are unique to that country and which are done today, or which were once done by people in those countries.

To begin, it is symbolic to look at the town of Bethlehem, which is believed to be the birthplace of Jesus. The Church of the Nativity is located in Bethlehem, and at Christmas it is decorated with a lot of flags and other Christmas decorations. A very large crowd usually gathers at The Church of the Nativity on Christmas Eve to see a dramatic parade procession of horsemen, led
by police who are mounted on Arabian horses. Following the police in the procession is a lone horseman who carries a cross, followed by churchmen and government officials. Members of the procession solemnly enter the doors of The Church of the Nativity and place an ancient effigy of Jesus in the church. A silver star located deep in an underground cave-like section of the church marks the site where Jesus was born. A star is also set atop a pole in the town's square. In Bethlehem, homes of Christians usually have a cross over the door and a manger scene is usually set up inside the house.

In Germany, home of the Christmas Tree tradition, the Christmas Tree is not seen until Christmas Eve. The tree is usually kept in a special room, or elsewhere, and decorated in secret with lights, ornaments, tinsels, angels, candies, nuts, and cookies. It is then lighted, the presents placed underneath, and then shown to the delight of children on Christmas Eve.

In Germany, December 6 is known as St. Nicholas Day when Santa visits the homes of boys and girls. On the day before, December 5, children leave a shoe or boot outside or by the fireplace for Santa Claus. If they were good, he places gifts and candies inside the shoe; but if they were naughty, children will find twigs or a rod in their shoe. Dinner on Christmas Day includes roast goose and long loaves of bread filled with raisins, nuts, and dried fruits. Other sweet delicacies are also enjoyed.

Many traditions in England are similar to those in the United States because such traditions originated in England and were brought to the United States by immigrants. The tradition of sending Christmas greeting cards started in England and is still popular at Christmas, as well as the tradition of neighborhood caroling on Christmas Eve. Children also hang stockings on Christmas Eve in anticipation of Santa Claus filling them with Christmas gifts or treats.

The holly, ivy, and mistletoe are also used a lot in Christmas decorations. In England, the traditional Christmas Dinner is roast turkey, goose, or chicken with stuffing, vegetables, and roast potatoes. Dessert consists of the British, or Christmas, pudding with brandy sauce. A rich, fruit-filled Christmas cake may also be enjoyed later in the day.

A tradition of pulling Christmas crackers also goes with the serving of food on Christmas Day. A cracker is a paper tube that contains a party hat, riddle, and a toy or trinket, and is brightly colored and twisted at both ends. It gives out a “crack” as the contents pop out when it is pulled at each end. Also on Christmas afternoon, the Queen broadcasts a Christmas message to the nation, which is heard on radio and television. The day after Christmas is also a holiday that is known as Boxing Day.

Interesting Facts and Notes about Christmas

It is an accepted fact that the Christmas Tree tradition is one that was brought to the shores of America by German immigrants, who continued a practice that was popular in their former homeland. Today, a Christmas Tree, even a miniature one, is present in just about every home at Christmas. It is therefore interesting to note some little-known facts about the Christmas Tree and other traditions related to Christmas.

The first interesting fact is the source of real Christmas Trees for some Americans. These can be bought at a Christmas Tree Farm, or at many local stores and other places of business, in just about every town and city across the country around Christmas time. But, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, Americans buy about 330,000 Christmas trees (that are real) through e-commerce, or from a catalogue, and have them shipped by mail-order.

The scent of real Christmas Trees is the reason they are so popular; but as they stand silently in their decorative wonder, they are also providing another benefit. The Christmas Tree Association says the amount of oxygen produced on a daily basis by one acre of Christmas Trees is enough to provide oxygen for 18 people. During the first week, a Christmas Tree at home will use up to one quart of water each day to help retain its longevity for the many days of Christmas.

Since Christmas celebrations have gained popularity in America, the Christmas Tree has always been a big tradition. During the 1950s, however, artificial Christmas trees were not always green. It was very popular during those times to have artificial trees with other colors such as silver, pink, and aqua. The appeal in having these colored Christmas trees may have been due to the fact that they looked shiny and bright and appeared like tinsel instead of green foliage.

An important ceremony related to the Christmas Tree, which gains national attention during the Christmas season, is the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at the White House. This tradition can be credited to President Calvin Coolidge, who lit the first decorated Christmas Tree outside the White House in 1923.

The lighting of the National Christmas Tree has also been used to convey some symbolic meaning not related to Christmas. In 1963, it was not lighted until December 22 because of a national mourning period of 30 days after the assassination of President Kennedy. While Teddy Roosevelt was President, he gave an order that banned the Christmas Tree from the White House, not for the assassination of President McKinley in 1901, which caused him to become President, but for reasons related to the environment. Also of note, is that when the National Christmas Tree was lighted on December 13 in 1984, temperatures were in the 70s during an unusually warm December.

Christmas has been celebrated in the United States since the 1600s, although it wasn't always very popular. It took more than two centuries, into the mid to late 1860s for Christmas to become a popular holiday season all across America. So, maybe the rest of the country owes the holiday of Christmas Day to the state of Alabama, which in 1836, became the first state to declare December 25 a legal holiday.

It is interesting to note that, on Christmas Day of 1789, Congress was in session. To show how far ahead of the game Alabama was, it wasn't until June 26, 1870, that the federal government declared Christmas a federal holiday.

Although Christmas is based on the Christian religion, not all Christian groups celebrate the season. Among the Christian groups who do not celebrate Christmas, and related traditions such as sending greeting cards, are Jehovah Witnesses. Jehovah Witnesses, and other non-participating Christian groups, say Christmas isn't specifically mentioned in the Bible as a time or reason to celebrate, and since they strictly adhere to the word of the Bible, they refuse to celebrate Christmas.

Fancy Tales Related to Christmas

A lot of what is widely regarded as true about Christmas, or held as a tradition, cannot be, or has not been, verified, or has changed throughout the years. Even Christmas Day itself, December 25, has been questioned as to whether that is the exact day on which Jesus was born.

Skeptics have asked, “Why would shepherds be out in the cold watching their flocks by night during the winter?” Those skeptics have put forward the thought that Jesus may really have been born in the spring instead. It is, therefore, little wonder that there are many fancy stories and tales that are told about Christmas and the Christmas season.

The most common fancy tale that everyone tells, particularly to children, is about Santa Claus, also called St. Nicholas. But even if it were accepted that Santa Claus existed, where does he live, and how is he able to get to all of the houses of good boys and girls on Christmas Eve?

In the United States, Santa Claus is said to have two homes. There is a home in Torrington, Connecticut, which is used as a distribution point for Santa and his many helpers, who are elves, to hand out gifts. And then, a second home is said to be located in Wilmington, New York, and that is where Santa Claus and his delivery reindeer crew are located.

But Santa can be visited in Cyberspace at anytime, and what about the widely held belief that Santa Claus really lives in a village at the North Pole? The people of Finland also claim that their country is the official residence of Santa Claus. That's because in Finland, you can actually visit a village anytime during the year. There you can see Santa's workshop, and observe Santa and his elves hard at work, as they prepare for their very important Christmas gift delivery job on Christmas Eve. The only day when Santa's workshop is closed to visitors is, of course, on Christmas Eve.

Maybe a very smart visitor could visit Santa's workshop on the day before Christmas Eve to see if there are any clues as to how Santa and his reindeer plan to make their trip the next day. As the tale goes in Finland, Santa Claus and his reindeer do not reach their destinations around the globe by flying.

Finland welcomes visitors to Santa's workshop, but there is nothing said about whether visitors actually have any chance of having a word with the man himself. While the chances of doing so are believed to be non-existent, among the questions that inquiring minds could ask Santa is whether Rudolph is the son of Donner (and to confirm the spelling - Donner or Donder), or whether Santa spotted him in a different reindeer village, one foggy Christmas Eve, after he had already started on his Christmas toy delivery mission.

If mere mortals got a chance to question Santa, then he also would likely have some questions for us humans. He may want to know whose idea it was to have Christmas trees and for the gifts to be placed under them.

The tradition of Christmas trees, as it exists today, comes from Germany, by way of immigrants; but it isn't clear how the tradition really gained a foothold in Germany. One story is that Christians in Germany, during the 16th century, started to bring trees that were decorated into their homes. Some of those Christians would build pyramids for Christmas. The pyramids were made of wood and would be decorated with evergreens and candles, if wood was in short supply.

It is however Martin Luther, a Protestant reformer, who is said to have been the first to add lighted candles as decoration to a tree, based on his inspiration from the brilliant light of twinkling stars that shone through the evergreen trees as he walked home one winter evening.

As the legend goes, Martin Luther placed a tree in a primary room of his house and placed wires with small, lighted candles around the branches of the tree. That is how, as the tale goes, the Christmas tree, as known today, was started.