A brief look at 12 common Christmas customs
Why we celebrate the way we do
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
Christmas, a holiday celebrated worldwide, is steeped in centuries of tradition. From ancient rituals to modern customs, the season blends religious, cultural, and commercial influences. Here is a brief exploration of 12 cherished Christmas traditions, tracing their origins, evolution, and enduring charm.
1. Santa Claus
The modern Santa Claus has his roots in Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century Greek bishop born on March 15, 270 AD, in what is now Turkey. Known for his generosity, one legend tells of him secretly delivering gold to a poor family to pay for the dowries of three daughters. He tossed the gold down their chimney, where it landed in stockings drying by the fire.
Nicholas’s reputation as a gift-giver spread, and his Dutch iteration, Sinter Klaas (Santa Claus), was brought to New York by settlers in the 17th century. Over the years, artists and writers shaped Santa into the jolly figure we recognize today, complete with a red suit, flying sleigh, and North Pole workshop. Nicholaas van Myra died at the age of 73 on December 6, 343 AD.
2. Christmas Stockings
Hanging stockings by the fire is said to stem from the aforementioned tale of Saint Nicholas dropping gold down a chimney. Another theory connects it to the older custom of leaving shoes filled with hay for Saint Nicholas’s donkey on December 5, the eve of his feast day. Lucky children would discover that the hay they left for St. Nick’s donkey had been replaced with treats or coins when they woke up the next morning. By 1883, decorative stockings had replaced ordinary socks.
3. Christmas trees
Before Christianity, evergreens symbolized hope during the harshness of winter. German Christians later decorated trees with apples, calling them “Paradise Trees,” in honor of Adam and Eve’s feast day on December 24. The custom spread globally after England’s Queen Victoria embraced the practice in the mid-19th century, inspired by her German husband, Prince Albert. By 1900, one in five American homes had a Christmas tree, a number that has since grown to over 30 million real trees sold annually in the U.S.
4. The colors red and green The signature colors of Christmas have ancient origins. Green represents evergreens, a symbol of life, while red is tied to holly berries, which were associated with the blood of Christ. These colors became firmly associated with Christmas imagery through centuries of tradition.
5. Caroling
Though Christmas carols date back centuries, the practice of caroling doorto- door only emerged in 19th-century Victorian England. Before that, neighbors visited each other to share good wishes, but not necessarily in song. As Christmas became more commercialized, caroling gained popularity as a festive activity, uniting communities in seasonal cheer.
6. Advent Calendars Advent, observed since the 4th century, marks a four-week period of preparation for Christmas. The modern Advent calendar was introduced in early 20th-century Germany by Gerhard Lang. Inspired by his mother’s handmade calendar, Lang’s version featured 24 colorful pictures on cardboard. Today, Advent calendars range from simple chocolate-filled designs to those containing toys or luxury items.
7.Ugly Christmas sweaters
Once a quirky staple of grandmothers and teachers, the ugly Christmas sweater became a mainstream trend after a 2001 party in Vancouver. Adorned with overthe- top designs, lights, and embellishments, these sweaters symbolize humor and fun during the holiday season.
8. Christmas treats
Holiday treats like cookies, candy canes, and milk for Santa have rich histories. Gingerbread dates back to the Crusades when children used them as decorations, becoming a Christmas staple by the 1500s. Candy canes originated in 1670 in Germany as white sugary sticks, with red stripes added in 1910.
The tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa stems from Norse mythology, where children left food for Sleipnir, Odin’s eightlegged horse. This practice resurfaced in the U.S. during the Great Depression, emphasizing gratitude during the season.
9. Yule Logs
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY, ARKANSAS CIVIL DIVISION WARREN MULLEN PLAINTIFF VS.
EVAN FLEISHMAN; And ALL OCCUPANTS OF 186 ANNA LANE 18CV-2024-1097 IN RE: PLAT BK 3 PG 361 Section: 24 Township: 06N Range: 08E Acreage: 0.12 Lot: 7 Block: 4 City: WEST MEMPHIS Addition: PECAN RIDGE PH II SD: 114 DEFENDANT NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Crittenden County, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in and to the following properties located in Crittenden County, Arkansas:
The yule log tradition predates Christianity, with Celts and Gaels burning decorated logs during the winter solstice to cleanse the past year. By the 19th century, the tradition evolved into edible yule log cakes, popularized by Parisian bakers who competed to create the most elaborate designs.
10. Eggnog
Eggnog’s origins lie in the medieval drink posset, a mixture of eggs, milk, and sherry. Wealthy colonists in America adapted the recipe,
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CRITTENDEN COUNTY, ARKANSAS CIVIL DIVISION WARREN MULLEN PLAINTIFF VS.
EVAN FLEISHMAN; And ALL OCCUPANTS OF 186 ANNA LANE 18CV-2024-1097 IN RE: PLAT BK 3 PG 361 Section: 24 Township: 06N Range: 08E Acreage: 0.12 Lot: 7 Block: 4 City: WEST MEMPHIS Addition: PECAN RIDGE PH II SD: 114 DEFENDANT NOTICE OF QUIET TITLE ACTION Notice is hereby given that a Petition has been filed in the office of the Circuit Clerk of Crittenden County, Arkansas, to quiet and confirm title in and to the following properties located in Crittenden County, Arkansas:
replacing sherry with rum. The name “nog” is thought to derive from “noggin,” a wooden cup, or a strong ale of the same name.
11. Mistletoe
Mistletoe, revered since ancient times for its vitality, was seen as a symbol of fertility. The tradition of kissing beneath it dates back to 18th-century England, where it began among servants and spread to the upper classes. Refusing a kiss under mistletoe was said to bring bad luck.
12. Christmas cards
PLAT BK 3 PG 361 Section: 24 Township: 06N Range: 08E Acreage: 0.12 Lot: 7 Block: 4 City: WEST MEMPHIS Addition: PECAN RIDGE PH II SD: 114 Commonly known as 186 Anna Lane, West Memphis, Crittenden County, Arkansas.
This notice hereby calls on any and all persons who can set up any right to the land to show cause as to why title to the above-described property should not be confirmed, quieted, and vested in the name of Petitioner.
The first commercial Christmas card, designed by J.C. Horsley in England in 1843, featured a festive toast and the message, “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You.” A thousand cards were printed that year, selling rapidly despite their high cost. Today, over 2 billion cards are sent annually in the U.S., continuing a tradition of spreading holiday cheer through heartfelt messages.
From Saint Nicholas to Santa Claus, the history Christmas traditions are as varied and old as the jolly old man himself.
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