12 Christmas Myths: Fact or Fiction?
Do You Know These 12 Christmas Myths?
Every holiday has its myths, but Christmas seems to have more than its fair share. Urban legends and old wives tales abound during this holiday season. Think you know fact from fiction? Here's the scoop on some of the most popular Christmas myths.
1. The Poisonous Poinsettia
Are poinsettia plants really dangerous for homes with children and pets? Nope. The rumor have been a conspiracy started by someone who didn't want to spend money on the school's poinsettia fund raiser.
As proven by recent studies, poinsettia plants are non-toxic. If you have pets, go ahead and put those poinsettias out. You've been sacrificing the beauty of these plants in vain.
2. Does the World Mistletoe Really Mean "Dung on a Twig"?
For those who are still 7-years-old at heart, go ahead and laugh it up. Every time someone says "mistletoe" they are indeed saying "dung on a stick". The word is derived from an Anglo-Saxon phrase and that is indeed the meaning.
3. Do Candy Canes Really Represent The Blood and Purity of Christ?
Nope. This is another of those "wish they were true" Christmas myths, but it's not a fact. The reality is that candy canes were just a mindless sugary treat. They weren't even red and white initially. If you like candy canes go ahead and indulge but if you've been decorating with them because you thought they had a deeper religious meaning, you've been misled.
4. Is the "X" in X-mas an atheist attempt to take Christ out of the holiday?
Nope. No conspiracy here. The "X" in X-mas actually stands for Christ. In Greek, the word Christ begins with the Greek letter Chi (or "X"). For centuries the letter X has been an abbreviation for Jesus Christ.
5. Is Rudolph a Montgomery Ward Creation?
Say it ain't so! Is our beloved childhood friend nothing more than a commercial creation? Unfortunately the answer is yes. Rudolph was indeed created for Montgomery Ward department stores in 1939. However, the lovable reindeer took on a life of its own and now the story is a wholehearted Christmas tradition.
So there you have it -- the facts on five of the most common Christmas myths. How many did you have right? If you're wondering about the fact or fiction of any other Christmas myths you've heard, drop me a line. I love to dig into them.