Ever wonder where Christmas traditions come from or how Santa manages his load of toys every year? Start getting into the Christmas spirit with articles on all kinds of Christmas stuff ... from past to present, from all over the world.
Throughout the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions, and they all share in the wonder of the season. Learn more about the various Christmas traditions you'll find in countries around the world. See more »
Maybe you understand how Santa can get around the world in one night, but you're still having a hard time wrapping your head around how he gets down the chimney. Fair enough. After all, Santa's big boned, and not all chimneys are accommodating.
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According to popular song, Christmas is "the most wonderful time of the year." Christmas serves as a holy day for those who celebrate the holiday and a marketing boon for retail companies. But what's behind the ornaments, trees, presents and fruitcakes that characterize the 25th of December? And where did that date originate?
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You've budgeted, scouted shopping malls and wrapped the last present, taking care to top it with just the right festive bow. But what do presents, three wise men and Jesus have to do with each other anyway?
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Imagine having to deliver toys (and coal) to children all over the world -- in just one night. How does the big guy do it? Moxie? Magic? How about a little something under the hood called a stardust antimatter propulsion unit? That's just how Santa rolls.
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File: Claus, Santa. Residence: the North Pole. Known aliases: Sinterklaas, St. Nick, Father Time and Sandy Claws. No matter what you call him, Santa Claus is one formidable being. Learn what makes the man in red tick.
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Underappreciated and overworked elves put in a pretty astounding amount of labor during the holidays. Then there are the other duties they must fulfill, like tending to diva reindeer like Rudolph. So do elves thrive on stress, and do they ever get disgruntled?
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Naughty or nice, have you ever wondered how Santa's sleigh works? Rustic on the outside and state-of-the-art on the inside, there's no doubt that St. Nick has a sweet ride. Learn more about the advanced technology in Santa's sleigh, as well as its backup system, reindeer.
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Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus' brief, but signature greeting brings smiles to the faces of both children and adults. But if you think about it, Santa Claus is a strange cultural institution -- an old man dressed in a red suit, who delivers presents to every home in the world in just one night. Where did ol' Father Christmas originate, and how on Earth does he get around so fast?
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Have you ever caught yourself singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas"? So what do geese, hen and Eleven Pipers Piping have to do with Christmas anyway?
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Also known as the "lobster flower," the poinsettia's flame-red leaves are a staple in holiday decorations, with more than $200 million in sales every holiday season. But how did a plant indigenous to tropical climates end up on mantles in North America?
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The yule log has long been an important symbol of winter. It was an important part of the Winter Solstice for Vikings, and in more modern times, a staple of holiday gatherings. Learn more about the yule log.
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Christmas caroling is an age-old tradition. But how did it start? And why won't some carolers go until they get their figgy pudding? Learn about this peculiar but endearing holiday practice.
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According to folklore, decorating with prickly edged holly leaves will result in a male-dominated home for the coming year. But if the holly is smooth-edged, a woman will reign supreme. Learn more about this plant, and find out why its crimson berries are so closely associated with the holidays.
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A pack of razors, chocolate-covered truffles and a harmonica -- these are just a few of the random items you might find in a Christmas stocking. Sure, these festive stockings are ideal for stuffing with pint-size presents, but why do we do it?
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For some, an ideal Christmas is a fire in the hearth and a blanket of snow covering the ground. Irving Berlin wrote about it, and Bing Crosby crooned about it: a white Christmas. Learn why you might be dreaming of one.
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He's been called a diva, a hero and a misfit. He's Rudolph the red-nose reindeer. And his ruby-red honker has long been celebrated for guiding Santa and his team of reindeer through the night. Learn what bioluminescence, evolution, and maybe even atavism, have to do with this doe-eyed deer.
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There's no doubt that commercialism runs rampant during Christmas. So is the word "Xmas" just another casualty of the modern advertising age? Or does the X in Xmas have its roots in Christianity after all?
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The Christmas songs you've been hearing your entire life came from medieval chants, church sermons, prayers and meditations. Get the lyrics, sheet music and histories of your favorite Christmas melodies.
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Throughout the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions, and they all share in the wonder of the season. Learn more about the various Christmas traditions you'll find in countries around the world.
See more »
