We?ve all probably built dozens of them in our lifetime, or helped someone. Snowmen adorn the snow-covered lawns of families across the world. Sometimes it?s just one, sometimes an entire family of snow people. And there was nothing as fun as finding old clothes and other items around your house to bring him [...]

Mexico?s main Christmas celebration is called La Posada, which is a religious procession that reenacts the search for shelter by Joseph and Mary before the birth of Jesus. During the procession, the celebrants go from house to house carrying the images of Mary and Joseph looking for shelter.
And though Santa Claus is not predominant, [...]

It?s been a holiday tradition to burn a Yule log even before there was a Christmas. It signifies that it is time for friends and family to gather near for songs, stories and fun, and until the Yule log burns out, there?s no more working.
In its beginnings, the Yule log was burned as a [...]

The practice of exchanging gifts at a winter celebration is can be traced back before the birth of Christ to the Roman celebration Saturnalia. They would exchange lucky fruit gifts called Stenae, and would have a big feast, just as most people do today. But Christmas gift giving grew following the birth of Christ when [...]

St. Nicholas is important part of Greek tradition as the patron saint of sailors. Greek ships never set out on a voyage without having an icon of St. Nicholas on board. Greek tradition tells of his clothes being soaked from sea water and perspiration from working to save sinking ships and rescue sailors from the [...]

Centuries ago, long before the birth of Christ, the wreath was always a part of festive processions. The evergreen wreath has always been a Christian emblem of eternal life and God's faithfulness to all humanity because of its hardiness and ability to withstand the cold winter temperatures.
An advent wreath is a ring or set [...]

In many Western cultures, holly is a traditional Christmas decoration, used especially in wreaths. Many of the hollies are highly decorative, and it?s believed that it and the green ivy that is usually used alongside it in decorating is why the colors red and green have come to be representative of Christmas.
The pagan Druids [...]

Centuries ago many people, especially those of pagan origin, firmly believed by ringing bells they could ward off evil spirits. It was believed at that time that when winter came the evil spirits were very strong because it was so dark and cold, and would harm them and their families. People would have ceremonies and [...]

Santa Claus hasn't always looked like the jolly old fellow we know today. Like so many other American traditions, he's a product of the great American melting pot – a blend of many different cultures and customs. But the most influential figure in the shaping of who we know now as Santa was a real [...]

The tradition of the mistletoe dates back to ancient history and across many cultures. Ancient druids viewed it as a symbol of peace, goodwill and love. Warring tribes chancing across it stopped their battles observed a temporary truce, and people began displaying it the doorways of their homes as a sign of peace. The Druids [...]