10 Christmas Traditions & Their Origins

From decorating the Christmas tree to hanging stockings and kissing under the mistletoe, it looks as if classic Christmas traditions have a bundle of rituals that can be dated back to centuries. We have listed below some of the traditions and origins of Christmas to take you back to where it started from and what the amazing backstory of the tradition seems like!

HAPPINESS IN DECORATING CHRISTMAS TREE

The modern Christmas tree came into existence with lots of inspiration to follow its tradition. Dating back to Ancient Romans the gorgeous looking Christmas trees were used in winter festivals when the Romans used to decorate their house and temples with Christmas wreaths and Saturnalia boughs. In Germany, the tree came as one of the famous elements as the symbol of the holiday season. Later on, around the 19^th century, the Christmas tree was decorated with tinsels and several Christmas ornaments. The first Christmas tree of Rockefeller Center was embellished in New York City in 1931 making history. A woodsman named Mark Carr was credited for the opening of the Christmas tree in the U.S. in 1851. According to change in time and tradition, at present, the Christmas trees are considered one of the essential Christmas decorations influence which is now decorated with several ornaments such as Christmas lights, hanging decorations, snowflakes, Christmas garland, stockings, and many more.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

At early times, the Christmas tree was decorated differently in comparison to today. The decoration of the Christmas tree seemed to have cookies, apples, dolls, and several Christmas paper ornaments around the 19^th century. Candles were considered options to illuminate the trees however at present Christmas lights are considered the best option. The emergence of the use of the glass balls and lanterns came around the 20^th century. At present, the tradition has been shifted to more modern Christmas ornaments for decoration. You get an option of star hangings, bell hangings, ball hangings, and many more.

WHO IS SANTA?

A Christmas without Santa Claus has always been incomplete since early origins. Saint Nick was the main inspiration for today’s Santa Claus who is identical to Santa. Another influence of Santa is the British Father Christmas who is a figure developed as an embodiment of mirth and joy dating back to the 17^th century. Odin who was considered as inspiration for Santa leads a hunting party with gods on the german holiday Yule which is on Christmas day.

The Santa Claus at present has been different from the tradition and its origin created by American folklore. The traditions practiced now come around the holiday season that emerged from Christianity.

GET BACK TO STORY OF MISTLETOE

Considered as one of the parasite plant, mistletoes perches on the branch of trees. It has one of the amazing mythological backgrounds across the Christmas tradition which has been prevailing. According to Greeks, ancestors of Romans Aeneas carried mistletoe in form of the golden legendry bough. According to the tradition of Eddic, mistletoe was thought to kill god Baldur. Mistletoe is believed to have the male essence, vitality, fertility, and romance. It is believed that the stem of Mistletoe has the power to protect your house from lightning and fire. The mistletoe, later on, became associated with kissing that carried a legacy. They are used as one of the essential Christmas decoration ornament.

WHY RED AND GREEN?

The color Green and Red have been symbolizing Christmas since early times which has also become one of the defining colors. It dates back to the winter solstice celebration of Romans when Holly was associated with Jesus’ crown of thorns. The green color denotes the life of Jesus Christ that has been like the evergreen Christmas tree while the red represents the crucifixion of Christ when he had shredded blood.

SANTA’S SLEIGH

The Christmas poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” by legendry poet Clement C. Moore had made everyone believe that Santa Nicholas had been traveling the world in a sleigh pulled by 8 reindeers. However, the legend of Santa has mentioned that he had traveled on the back of a donkey. After the 19^th century, it was mentioned that he traveled on a sleigh. At present, the sleigh is considered one of the means of transport for Santa across the world.

HANGING THE STOCKINGS

Originated from the good deeds of nobleman Nicholas, the traditional Christmas stockings which also gave birth to the history of giving presents on Christmas eve. The idea of stuffing stockings came into existence in the U.S. when Moore had written about saint stuffing the stockings. The several ranges of stockings, later on, were designed for Christmas gifts. Nicholas believed that children should be savored and should enjoy the event. Earlier when gifts did not prevail, Nicholas used to gift homemade food, furniture, clothes. The problem aroused when he did not have an idea of leaving gifts and this is when he saw a girl’s stocking being hanged above the fireplace. From then children started hanging stockings with the hope that Santa would visit them.

CHRISTMAS CAROLS

The first Christmas hymns were developed in Rome around the 4^th century. The first carols were developed in Italy, France, and Germany. The carols were sung at festivals and community events as well. Later on, the Christmas song became associated with Christmas and was sung at several churches. The modern practice of caroling has something to do with the origin of caroling meaning circular dance.

LETTER TO SANTA

Now that many children write a letter to their Santa, this was completely different earlier. Its origin dates back to when Santa used to write to children encouraging them to behave and describe their ways of naughtiness. Kids, later on, started writing back and placed a letter to the fireplace and later to the postal service. Later on, several newspapers started publishing answers later.

There are so many of such Christmas tradition that has given birth to the kind of Christmas that we celebrate at present. The tradition has been led as the origin of all the rituals and arrangements done at present. Christmas is all about happiness, get together and celebrating together!