The holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and celebration. Across different cultures and communities, traditions bring people together to share in the festive spirit. From cozy nights by the fireplace to elaborate feasts, here are some holiday traditions that make this season special, as commonly found around the world.
Decorating the Christmas Tree
The tradition of decorating Christmas trees comes from Germany. It started in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes during the holiday season. The hobby became more popular in the 19th century, and it made the tradition spread across Europe and eventually to the United States. This tradition is one of the most iconic holiday traditions is decorating the Christmas tree. Families gather to hang ornaments, string lights, and top the tree with a star or angel. Many families also have a tradition of making or buying a special ornament each year to celebrate significant events in their lives. Today, decorating a tree is a common Christmas tradition in many parts of the world.
Gingerbread Houses and Holiday Baking
Baking is a favorite activity during the holiday season. Making gingerbread houses is both a fun and creative tradition for families. From coming together to decorating with colorful candles, it’s a sweet way to spend time together. The historical times of holiday baking goes back to ancient times when humans used food to celebrate special occasions. In many cultures, people baked treats during the winter months because it was a time for gathering with family and using up preserved ingredients like dried fruits, nuts, and spices. During the Middle Ages in Europe, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger became popular for holiday baking because they were rare and unaffordable making them special for celebrations. Over time, different regions developed their own traditional holiday recipes, like gingerbread in Germany. As sugar became more available, holiday making expanded to include cookies, cakes, and pies. Today, baking is a way for families to create memories, share traditions, and enjoy delicious treats during the festive season. Some history of gingerbread houses came through Germany in the 16th century. Gingerbread itself had already been popular in Europe for a maximum of time, but the idea of shaping it into houses became common after the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel was published by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. The story simply made people want to discover and do gingerbread houses with their families during the holiday season.
Advent Calendars
Counting down to Christmas with a advent calendar is an enjoyable tradition for both kids and adults. During the 19th century of Germany, advent calendars became a yearly tradition for families to count down the days left for Christmas day. Some early traditions included marking 24 chalk lines on walls or lighting a candle each day. Nowadays, these calendars often feature small doors or pockets, each containing a surprise like chocolate, toys, or small items like beauty products or gift cards.
Secret Santa and White Elephant
Gift exchanges like Secret Santa and White Elephant are popular traditions at workplaces, schools, and family gatherings. Secret Santa involves drawing names and giving gifts anonymously. This particular tradition likely started in Scandinavia. In these regions, people had the customs of anonymously leaving small gifts or notes for others during the holiday season. The modern version of Secret Santa became popular in workplaces and among groups of friends as a funny way to exchange gifts without purchasing something for everyone. The term ¨White Elephant¨ comes from a legend in Thailand and other Asian countries. A white elephant was a rare and sacred animal, it was also expensive to keep. According to the story, kings would give white elephants as ¨gifts¨ to others they didn’t like because caring for the animal would ruin them financially. The modern White Elephant gift exchange is a playing twist on this idea. It started in the United States and became a common holiday tradition. Participants bring funny, quirky, or unwanted gifts, and the goal is to ¨steal¨ or trade for the best (or silliest) gift. The purpose is mainly about entertainment rather than serious gift-giving.
Writing Letters to Santa
Every year, post offices around the world receive hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to Santa. For instance, the United States Postal Service gets over 500,000 letters annually, and Canada also has a special postal code for Santa. For children, writing letters to Santa Claus is a cherished holiday activity. Kids list their wishes, share their good actions from the year, and leave out cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Watching Holiday Movies
Whether it’s Home Alone, Elf, or The Grinch, watching holiday movies is a classic way to get into the holly jolly mood. A fun fact about these holiday movies being invented, the first to ever be made was the holiday movie ¨Santa Claus¨ in 1898, a short silent film created in England. It’s considered one of the earliest examples of movie magic! Families often make this a tradition, complete with blankets, popcorn, and hot cocoa.
Holiday traditions are what make Christmas every year so memorable. These traditions often get passed down through generations, creating a sense of connection to the past while bringing joy to the present. They also provide an opportunity to slow down, focus on loved ones, and celebrate the spirit of giving and making the holidays so magical. Whether big or small, these traditions bring people together and create lasting memories.
