Christmas is one of the most iconic holidays celebrated annually on December 25 across the world, and it is a childhood wonder for many. Christmas is a sacred religious holiday for Christians as well as a cultural and commercial phenomenon, with thousands of movies, books, and songs about it, totaling billions in revenue. It is clear that Christmas is special.
Many associate Christmas with the iconic red and green colors, yet some may not know the story behind these shades. For hundreds of years, red and green have been the traditional colors of Christmas, and there are multiple reasons cited by different scholars as the cause, but the general consensus is that long before Christmas existed, people in Europe used evergreen plants such as holly, ivy, and fir to celebrate the winter solstice. Evergreens stayed green during winter, which symbolized life, endurance, and rebirth, while holly berries were bright red, symbolizing protection against evil or bad luck. As Christmas spread, Christians adopted these colors, with green meaning eternal life and red for the story of Jesus. By the 20th century, advertising companies and greeting card designers helped standardize red and green as the dominant Christmas palette.
A well-known Christmas tradition involves the hanging of stockings. According to legend, the practice began with a story about Saint Nicholas, a generous bishop known for helping people in need. When he heard of a poor family who could not afford dowries for their daughters, he secretly dropped gold coins down their chimney. The coins supposedly landed in stockings left to dry by the fire, leading to the tradition of children hanging stockings in hopes of receiving gifts. This then led to the creation of one of the most practiced Christmas traditions worldwide to this day.
Another Christmas tradition is the decorating of the Christmas tree. According to Encyclopedia Britannica (www.britannica.com/), “Trees have been used in rituals and as decorations since ancient times… many believe that it originated in Germany. It is claimed that in Germany about 723 the English missionary St. Boniface encountered pagans preparing a sacrifice at an oak tree dedicated to the god Thor (Donar). Boniface took an ax to the tree, and, when not struck down by their god, he proclaimed to the awed pagans that a nearby evergreen was their ‘holy tree.’” The website further explains that evergreen trees became part of Christian rites in Germany, and in the Middle Ages, “paradise trees” meaning to represent the Garden of Eden began to appear there. German settlers introduced Christmas trees in the United States, though it was not until the 1820s that Christmas began gaining popularity in the United States, and the country’s first Christmas tree reportedly was displayed in the 1830s. The Christmas tree’s popularity spread with the help of the influential magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book.
Many families also celebrate the holiday with food, songs, and gift-giving–traditions shaped by different cultures over hundreds of years. Carols grew from early Christian hymns, later blending with folk music from England and Europe. Festive meals vary widely: in the U.S., some of the most iconic Christmas meals include turkey, ham, stuffing, and desserts such as gingerbread cookies and apple pie. Other countries such as Mexico have foods such as tamales on Christmas, but the idea of gathering around food during winter has been a human tradition for centuries. Giving gifts became common in the late 1800s as people emphasized generosity and family during the holiday season.
When freshman Ceciley Bertolini was asked about what traditions she has for Christmas every year, she said, “I celebrate Christmas with my family; we enjoy sharing food and gifts.” While Library Media Specialist Maureen Bertolini explained that she liked baking cookies for the family the most, they both placed a strong emphasis on the importance of Christmas lying in the value of “being able to bring family together, having a fun time, and create loving memories each year.”
At its core, Christmas is a holiday that emphasizes family and culture. Each Christmas tradition carries a piece of history shaped by religion, culture, art, and even ancient myths. Whether decorating a tree or hanging stockings, people are participating in customs that connect one another to those from the past. Knowing these origins adds a new layer of meaning to the celebrations enjoyed every year.
