History Christmas Traditions

Discover the hilariously weird history behind your favorite Christmas traditions in “Wait… Why Do We Do This?” by Holly Jinglesworth. This laugh-out-loud guide explores everything from why we drag trees into our homes to how Santa ended up with flying reindeer. Packed with fun facts, humor, and a touch of holiday magic, this book answers the big questions about Christmas traditions: Why do we hang stockings by the fire? Who invented gingerbread houses? What’s the deal with candy canes, mistletoe, and ugly sweaters? How did Christmas lights become the ultimate holiday decoration?...

The golden traditions of Christmas—gifts, wreaths, stockings, carols, mistletoe, and more—infuse your celebration of the season with meaning and glowing memories. And, in ways you may not realize, they also point you to the birth of Christ. Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas reveals the people, places, and events that shaped the best-loved customs of this merriest of holidays.

Not so very long ago, Yuletide was as much a chilling season of ghosts and witches as it was a festival of goodwill. In The Old Magic of Christmas, you'll rub elbows with veiled spirits, learn the true perils of elves, and discover a bestiary of enchanted creatures. Rife with the more frightful characters from folklore and the season's most petulant ghosts, this book takes you on a spooky sleigh ride from the silvered firs of a winter forest to the mirrored halls of the Snow Queen.

Christmas Past: The Fascinating Stories Behind Our Favorite Holiday’s Traditions reveals the surprising, quirky, mysterious, and sometimes horrifying stories behind the most wonderful time of the year.

Many Christmas traditions and images of "old fashioned" holidays are based on Victorian celebrations. Going back just a little further, to the beginning of the 19th century, the holiday Jane Austen knew would have looked distinctly odd to modern sensibilities. Take a step into history with Maria Grace as she explores the traditions, celebrations, games and foods that made up Christmastide in Jane Austen's era. Packed with information and rich with detail from period authors, Maria Grace transports the listener to a longed-for old fashioned Christmas.

Throughout his almost four decades of life on the road, Charles Kuralt has introduced us to people and places that have warmed our hearts. Now in Charles Kuralt's Christmas, he retraces his most memorable Christmas sojourns to remind us of the many marvelous ways that we celebrate this special holiday.

Will a little meddling from Granny Mae and a touch of mistletoe magic be enough to turn enemies into lovers in time for a merry Christmas? Meredith: Returning to Kings Valley was supposed to be simple: revive my family’s beloved café and keep our town’s traditions alive. I never imagined my biggest challenge would be Kris Knight, the smooth-talking developer with grand plans to modernize our historic inn. From the moment we met we were at odds—our visions for the future couldn’t be more different. But a surprise kiss under the mistletoe has turned everything upside-down. Suddenly, ...

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year. After the corresponding days that exalt the national pride of each country, such as Independence Day in the United States, Victory Day in Russia, or Bastille Day in France, it's December 25 that articulates the life, the work, and the economy in much of the world, including many non-Christian countries. Since ancient times, the beginning of winter has been the occasion for most people to eat, drink, dance, and get together to beat the drum and take a break.

This book looks at the legend of Frau Perchta, the festive spectre who is famous for her punishments but could also reward the well behaved.

Bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

Have you ever really considered the psychological effects of the Santa Claus story and Holidays in general? A Holiday Hazing Santa Clause Syndrome is a presentation of one of the most devastating and most commonplace psychological afflictions of the postmodern era; Santa Clause Syndrome. A Holiday Hazing Santa Clause Syndrome dissects the psychological results of the cultural initiation that is celebration of Santa Clause. Moreover no one has elaborated on Christmas and holidays in general like this in 2,000 years! You will laugh, you may cry, and you will forever more question institutions...