The season has come around again! Christmas is on the horizon, and the excitement is palpable as we all prepare for the whirlwind of fun and joy that is Christmas-time. But depending on where you are, where you’ve come from, and who you know, your traditions may differ from the fun and wholesome to the macabre. If you’ve ever wondered where all these fascinating Christmas traditions and legends have come from or originated, we have the collection for you. So read on as we take a walk through the ups and downs of everyone’s favorite winter holiday.
1. Christmas Trees Have Pagan Roots
Before evergreens decked the halls at Christmas, they were used frequently for pagan rites. Fast forward to the Renaissance, and these trees found new fame with German Protestants, who started the trend of sprucing up their homes with nature’s giants from local forests.
This festive custom weaved its way through German dukedoms and hopped over to England with a German king’s rise to the British throne. Then, thanks to German settlers, this tree-trimming tradition took root in American cities, eventually branching out to become a beloved hallmark of holiday celebrations everywhere.