What does Boxing Day mean to you? Boxing day traditions go back 2000 years to the ancient Roman pagan celebrations, have been incorporated loosely into our Christian traditions – and now there are many fun facts about the day after Christmas. As Christmas Day is a time for indulgence, most of us need a chance […]
Christmas in Slovakia blends Balkan and Western customs, creating a truly unique atmosphere that makes everyone believe in magic. Slovaks value their cultural heritage and avoid excessive commercialization of the holiday, so the celebrations are very traditional. Nearly 60% of Slovaks are Catholics and 10% Protestants, so Christmas is a major public holiday that unites […]
Today, nearly everyone has heard or even participated in the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. But not many know the origins of this custom and legends associated with the plant. Mistletoe history dates back to ancient times. Celtic Druids, Ancient Greeks, and Norse pagans believed that the plant had magic powers. As a result, […]
Who is Santa’s wife? Mrs. Claus, of course! However, the title “Mrs.” doesn’t tell us much about her personality and story. Mrs. Claus may seem an addition to Santa without a life of her own or any significant role, but that’s far from the truth. The appearance, age, and name of Mrs. Claus are widely […]
Christmas in Australia is nothing like Christmas in the U.S. If not for Christmas lights, you wouldn’t guess it’s holiday time. Australians celebrate Christmas on December 25, but it feels more like the middle of the summer than a winter wonderland. Christmas falls on one of the hottest months in Australia, so Aussie holiday activities […]
Wondering about the best Christmas lights for holiday decorating? At one time there were only a few options. Happily, that’s changed dramatically! Gone are the cumbersome, easily broken, and hard to dismantle Christmas lights for sale in our parents’ or grandparents’ era. Putting up outdoor or indoor Christmas lights used to involve hard work and […]
“Christmas in China” may sound odd for many Americans, and that’s no wonder. After all, the portion of the Christian population in China is only about 5%. Indeed, the Chinese perceive Christmas as sort of Saint Patrick’s or Valentine’s Day rather than a religious occasion. For this reason, you won’t come across any Nativity Scenes, […]
Saint Nicholas is justifiably considered the origin of modern American Santa Claus. Nicholas was neither chubby nor jolly, but his altruism immortalized his image in our minds as the real Christmas gift-giver. But what was so special about his deals? If you ask a child where Santa Claus lives, they’ll likely answer “the North Pole.” […]
There are many well-known Christmas symbols, and Christmas candy canes are a mark that is recognized by everyone. No matter your age or if you enjoy sweets, everybody has had a candy cane at some point in their lives. So when did they start? Candy canes have been around for so long that someone rarely […]
There’s no Bible-specified Christmas decoration date. Some families strictly follow their own traditions of putting up decorations; others do this at random dates when work routine leaves them some free time. Certain times, however, are better suitable for putting up Christmas decorations than others. For example, Advent and Saint Nicholas‘ Day have religious roots and […]
Christmas Lyn