Worldwide Christmas Traditions

Like most things Italian, Christmas traditions in Italy tend to be both passionate and food-oriented. It's hard to find fault with that, especially since Christmas in Italy hasn't yet descended into that relentless commercialism that plagues the American holiday.

The traditions of Christmas in Italy aren't terribly different from our own, with many features we'd find quite familiar. For example, many Italians have taken to erecting and decorating a Christmas tree every year. But there are some notable differences to Italian Christmas tradition, so let's take an instructive look.

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In this era of electric lighting, the classic Christmas candle has fallen out of use in many households. But it's a tradition worth resurrecting, because Christmas candles not only add beauty to the holiday, they offer deeper meaning that lends greater significance to the tradition.

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You might think that Victorian Christmas traditions are dead relics of a bygone era, considering that they originated at least a century and a half ago. But the truth is, most of the Christmas traditions we enjoy today are directly rooted in Victorian customs.

Let's take a look at a few.

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While just about everyone follows the basic Yuletide customs inherit to our culture, most of us also embellish the holidays with unique family Christmas traditions. Maybe your gang reads Clement Moore's "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" together on Christmas Eve, or attends midnight Mass.

Special candies may also be traditional for you, or maybe your folks made sure at least one of the kids got the token lump of coal in their stocking. Here's a sweet one: some families stick a candle into an angelfood cake and sing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus.

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Christmas remains a magical holiday, but German Christmas traditions make it even more so. We already thank Germans for the Christmas tree, of course, but on the enchanted German Christmas, water turns to wine, animals talk to humans, church bells ring from the bottom of the sea, and more.

Only the completely pure of heart experiences this type of Christmas magic, of course. Which leaves out most of us over the age of, oh, three or so. However, there are other traditional German Christmas events that any of us can enjoy.

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The concept of new Christmas traditions may seem self-contradictory, considering that the term "tradition" generally applies to some old practice that's been going on forever. But hey -- at some point, every old Christmas tradition was new. They have to get started somehow!

Which is why I believe you shouldn't hesitate to start a new Christmas tradition with your family--something you all look forward to when Christmas rolls around. Even if it's just playing Final Fantasy together, that doesn't mean it's not a tradition.

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Everyone knows that the standard Christmas colors are green and red, and if pressed, some of us might come up with a few others, especially white and maybe blue. Thank Elvis for that last one, but why the rest?

You might think that the reasons are obvious, and you'd basically be right. But let's explore some more complex reasons.

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One of the most wonderful things about Christmas is that it's amazingly inconsistent. Christmas traditions celebrated from family to family (much less from culture to culture) varies widely. That might bother some people, but I find it alluring.

Imagine: a new way to celebrate my favorite holiday. And even better, we legitimately get to celebrate Christmas three times a year!

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To understand Australian Christmas traditions, you have to understand that Aussies are upside-down, seasonally, in comparison to us Americans. If that's difficult to process, just imagine going to the beach on Christmas Day.

So, yeah. Maybe things are a little different from what most of us would suspect. They definitely don't sing "White Christmas" down there, mate!

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Most people associate Ukraine with Easter, especially eggs, but there are actually many interesting Ukrainian Christmas traditions, too. Areas with a high percentage of people of Ukrainian ancestry accept "Ukrainian Christmas" as a normal part of the year's celebrations, and many people celebrate the holidays twice -- on December 25th and again on Ukrainian Christmas.

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As far as traditional Christmas songs go, I'm sure that few people would put the Beach Boys' "Little St. Nick" or "The Twelve Pains of Christmas" by Bob Rivers on their classics list...but I wouldn't dare bet that nobody would.

See, what counts as a traditional Christmas song varies according to the individual and family. While "White Christmas" and "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" are all very well and good, this Christmas I'll also be chanting the traditional Christmas song lyrics of "Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer."

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There's comfort in tradition, and most of us look forward to the traditional Christmas we've celebrated since childhood--complete with a traditional Christmas dinner, eaten while surrounded by classic Christmas decorations and all the other traditional things.

But you know what? I'll bet that you can't find two families in America who would agree on what all those traditional things are.

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Everyone has visions of a picture perfect traditional Christmas at one time or another. If you've tried to achieve this picture of perfection with lasting memories for your family before, only to fall short and maybe on your face, here are some tips to help you have that special Christmas dinner for your family and still be able to enjoy it.

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Historically, the traditional Christmas colors are red and green. The tradition got its start in the 14th Century, became ingrained in American society and accepted as the colors that represent Christmas. If red and green just isn't your thing, don't let tradition stop you. Get creative with some of these new and interesting color combinations.

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Have you ever thought about starting new Christmas traditions for your family? I mean, we have the regular traditions -- kissing under the mistletoe, sending Christmas cards, decorating a Christmas tree, etc. These are all well and good, but how would you like to start a new Christmas tradition -- one that has special meaning to your family? If you think it's a great idea too, take a peek at some of these ideas.

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Family Christmas traditions can create many special memories, but they also teach your children to share with others less fortunate. If you feel your children get just a little bit more self-centered each Christmas that rolls around, use this tradition to teach your children compassion and caring.

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When my first child was born, my mother-in-law started a Christmas ornament tradition in our family that has been a special treat for all of my children. She has carried on this tradition for the last 24 years creating a tradition that my children adore.

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The Elf on the Shelf... a new addition in Christmas lore

Even true fans of Christmas lore may not have heard of The Elf on the Shelf, which is a fairly new Christmas tradition. It all started with a Mom who wanted to share her love of Christmas with her children. She put a toy elf on the living room shelf. The elf would "watch" the children and report their behavior to Santa Claus. Every day, the elf would be sitting in a new place after his return from the North Pole.

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If your Christmas decorating has become a chore that sends family members scurrying to well thought out hiding places, bring the fun back by creating Christmas traditions. A fun tradition to start is a tree decorating party.

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When the years have come and gone, the moments that make your Christmas memories special are the Christmas traditions. Quickly forgotten are the bright colored toys and the latest electronic gadgets. What remains is the special times created through traditions. If you have never done any of the traditions of Christmas, no time like the present. A great tradition to begin is the gingerbread house. Here's the how and why of making this tradition special.

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Walt Disney World hosts one of the world's most popular Christmas traditions

From Mickey's Christmas Carol to the reading of the Christmas Story with full choral accompaniment, Disney hosts a pile of Christmas traditions -- but none are quite as spectacular, or have quite as moving a story, as the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

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The most famous of all historical Christmas stories has to be Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus. And better still, the story is true.

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Of all the Christmas stories, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is undoubtedly second only to the Nativity story in terms of historical and literary significance. Ever since its publication, readers have returned to this story in droves, finding comfort and joy in the story of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge and his conversion to the fullness of Christmas joy through the Christmas spirits of the Past, Present, and Future.

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If you're as fascinated by Christmas traditions as I am, you can't miss out on Italy. Of course, many of us would love to spend our Christmas vacation in Rome, but failing that, you can at least adopt a few Italian Christmas customs to share with your family. Here are 4 Christmas traditions unique to Italian culture that provide thoughtful insights into Christmas origin and history.

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The Advent calendar is one of our most beloved Christmas traditions, right up there with trimming the tree and laying out milk and cookies for Santa Claus. But where does it come from -- and in our busy 21st century world, where is it going?

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It can be a lot of fun to introduce your family to new Christmas traditions from around the world, and the Polish tradition of the Oplatki wafer is a great place to start. Once started it is impossible to stop this heartwarming tradition.

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Learn the truth behind the Christmas legends of Silent Night!

There are obscure Christmas legends, and then there are the legends almost everyone remembers. Silent Night is a Christmas carol that has evoked a powerful response, and people seem compelled to shroud it with stories and mystery.

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How did The Nutcracker come to be one of our most beloved Christmas traditions?

It's one of the newer Christmas traditions, but it's still had time to become near and dear to our hearts. Every year, usually at the beginning of December, many families attend the only piece of ballet or live theatre they'll see all year: The Nutcracker.

But how did The Nutcracker become such a popular tradition? What sets it apart from other Christmas stories and makes it special? And where, exactly, did it come from?

The story itself is quite old, and the one we see onstage isn't even the original, but a popular adaptation by the French author Alexandre Dumas, best known for writing The Three Musketeers. Once the story made the leap (no pun intended) from page to stage, though, history was in the making.

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Who Sent The First Christmas Letter?

You've probably gotten at least one Christmas letter in your life. You know, the letters that people send out instead of greeting cards? They say what the person's been up to and how the year has been? Some people love them, others hate them -- the question is, who sent out the first one? When did the tradition begin? If you're wondering who's to thank (or blame) for the Christmas letter tradition, read on...

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Who Put Up The First Christmas Nativity?

It just doesn't feel like Christmas until you see the Christmas nativity displays lighting up front yards, churches and businesses. But when was the first Christmas nativity scene set up? Whose idea was it? When did it become a Christmas tradition? The answers may surprise you.

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The Story of The First Christmas Stockings

Each and every Christmas most of us hang stockings on the mantles of our fireplaces (or other places in the home if fireplace isn't present) and wait for the goodies to appear on Christmas morning. But when did this tradition begin? What do stockings and fireplaces have to do with the birth of Christ? Here's some insight into why we hang Christmas stockings during the holiday season.

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Just Who Is the “True Love” In the 12 Days of Christmas ?

We all know that The 12 Days of Christmas is a song we sing during the holiday season, but what in the world does it really have to do with the holiday? How can someone's “true love” and a partridge in a pear tree really have anything to do with the date of Christ's birth? Here's the scoop...

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Have You Ever Wondered What Christmas in Guatemala is Like?

Christmas traditions are as much a part of the geography and climate of a particular region as anything else. There are an abundance of unique Christmas traditions, and one that I find particularly fascinating is the Misa de Gallo that occurs in Guatemala.

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Christmas Music Makes a Great Gift Too!

Christmas music certainly provides a great way to get into the spirit of the holiday season. The Christmas season just wouldn’t be the same without Christmas music. Try to incorporate Christmas music into your life every day from now until Christmas.

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Differences Between Christmas in the United States and England

Christmas is an incredibly popular holiday in England and in all of Britain, in fact. In England, they celebrate Christmas somewhat differently than in the U.S., and many Christmas traditions that are an integral part of Christmas celebrations in England never quite made it to the United States.

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Eggnog is an Annual Christmas Tradition with Interesting Roots

If you love the great beverage options that are a part of the Christmas season, you might be wondering about the history of eggnog. There are many beverages associated with the winter months, particularly during the holiday season. During December many of us enjoy hot apple cider, hot cocoa, and, of course, eggnog. Below you'll find some interesting information about the history of eggnog during the Christmas season.

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Christmas Presents are the Current Focus of Christmas

Even those individuals who don’t know much about the history of Christmas presents realize that the importance of Christmas presents has changed over the centuries. It was once common even in wealthy families for children to get just one Christmas present. The emphasis many Americans put on lots of presents is incredibly common.

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What is Christmas Eve Holy Supper?

The Christmas Eve Holy Supper is a central part of holiday celebrations for some families, and how it is celebrated varies depending on country, specific religious affiliation, and even family. Some countries have a much more elaborate fast in addition to Christmas Eve Holy Supper, and one such lengthy fast is called the Feast of the Nativity of Jesus Christ.

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Do You Have a Christmas Train under Your Tree?

There is something fascinating about Christmas trains. Not that many homes display Christmas trains anymore. It used to be that a prominent train was displayed underneath the Christmas tree. Nowadays, you really only see Christmas trains in homes where someone is a train collector or enthusiast.

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Who are the Gubas?

The Gubas performance is a century-long tradition that is still celebrated in certain parts of our nation. The Gubas performance is comprised of male parishioners of an Orthodox Christian church. They travel to the homes of members of their parish on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which for some remaining Orthodox churches still following the Julian calendar occurs on January 6th and January 7th. So what do they do when they're there? Read on to find out.

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Geography and Climate Play a Role in Choice of Christmas Food

Traditional Christmas food varies throughout the world. The difference in the type of food is based primarily on the geography of the region. There are vast differences in the type of food enjoyed for this holiday throughout the world. Christmas food is as diverse as the cultures and customs present around the world.

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What Ever Happened to the Christmas Fast?

A Christmas fast used to be a commonly practiced part of the Christmas season. Some Christians such as Roman Catholics practiced a Christmas fast on Christmas Eve. Abstaining from meat was very common. Orthodox Christians also eliminated dairy as well. Nowadays, the practice of following a Christmas fast is not widely practiced.

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Where Did The Mummers Play Originate?

A Mummers play is an important Christmas tradition in England and other English-speaking countries. But what is a Mummers play? It sounds kind of funny, doesn't it? If you want to know what a Mummers play is, why you should see one and how they got started, you need to read this.

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The Day after Christmas is Still an Important Part of the Christmas Season

In England and other English-speaking European countries, the day after Christmas is known as “Boxing Day.” Those of us in the U.S. who need to brush up on our history knowledge might be curious about how the day after Christmas became known as “Boxing Day” in England.

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Why Doesn’t Anyone Make Christmas Pudding Anymore?

Christmas pudding is a long forgotten culinary tradition of our annual holiday celebrations. If you read any novels set in the 1800s, you might have seen references to Christmas pudding. Christmas pudding was once a mainstay of Christmas celebrations, but in the year 2006, making Christmas pudding has all but vanished.

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Why Do We Ring Christmas Bells?

With Christmas nearing, you might be wondering about the history of Christmas bells. You might already be acquainted with some of the tradition and legends behind some other Christmas traditions such as the Christmas tree, but the exact history behind Christmas bells might have peaked your curiosity.

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Learn about the Most Popular Christmas Candy-Candy Canes

One of the most popular confectionary staples of the Christmas season definitely has to be the candy cane. The candy cane has an interesting history in addition to being a tasty holiday treat. If you’re a candy cane fan, you definitely want to read this.

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Whatever Happened to the Yule Log?

The tradition of the Yule log has a long and interesting history. Even though the Yule log is not a common part of modern-day Christmas celebrations in the U.S., it’s still interesting to see where this tradition got its start and how it evolved throughout the centuries. In fact, if it were up to me, the tradition of the Yule log would be brought back in full force. Wondering what the Yule log tradition is? I’ll let you in on the secret…

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Why are Red and Green Christmas Colors?

The colors red and green are commonly associated with Christmas and might as easily be referred to as Christmas colors. Of course, we all enjoy these Christmas colors, but you might be wondering how red and green became synonymous with Christmas. If you’ve ever wondered why we deck everything out in these festive primary shades, you’ll be happy to know we have the answer.

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How Does Santa Deliver Presents to Houses without Chimneys?

Christmas is a magical time of year and for young children, part of that magic involves an annual visit from Santa Clause. Historically, Santa Clause always entered homes through the chimney. Almost all children’s stories showcase Santa making a grand entrance through the chimney down into the fireplace. (Good thing those fires weren’t lit!) We do know that Santa will only come if children are sleeping, that much never changes. But Santa can be extremely flexible entering homes that don’t have a chimney and fireplace. Young children without a fireplace need not worry that Santa will skip their house. There is no one more accommodating than Santa! Just how will Santa make an appearance this Christmas for homes that don’t have fireplaces and chimneys? Read this to find out!

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Give a Black Diamond (Coal) This Holiday Season and Keep a Centuries-Old Tradition Alive

If you find yourself on a tight budget this holiday season, why not give black diamonds in lieu of white diamonds? A black diamond (known as coal in certain parts of the country) is the perfect way to give a unique and creative gift while putting a smile on someone’s face.

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The myth of the Christmas cookies

Christmas cookies are fun to make and certainly fun to eat. But Christmas cookies are also a part of the holiday magic as children leave Christmas cookies out for Santa.

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All I want for Christmas is you - and other Christmas traditions for sweethearts

"All I want for Christmas is you" is a song that is often dedicated from one lover to another at Christmas time. The song, "All I want for Christmas is you" can be made part of a lovely Christmas surprise for your sweetheart!

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Canadian Christmas traditions for a white Christmas

White Christmas traditions can be loads of fun. Even if you don’t like snow, a white Christmas can be enjoyable.

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Do you want to know where the idea of 12 days of Christmas came from?

Everyone is familiar with the song about the 12 days of Christmas, but many don’t know the meaning of 12 days of Christmas or even that celebrating 12 days of Christmas is truly a tradition.

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Have you ever wondered how the Christmas mistletoe tradition came about?

Mistletoe sprigs are decorations that inspire kissing during the holiday season. While meeting under the mistletoe can be sweet and romantic, it is interesting to explore the history behind the tradition.

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Merry Christmas versus happy Christmas

“Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year” are words commonly heard during the holiday season and are often printed on Christmas cards and gift wrapping. Have you ever wondered why Merry Christmas, rather than Happy Christmas is used as a Christmas greeting?

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The origin of the Christmas wreaths tradition

Christmas wreaths can be seen on the door of just about every home around Christmas time. There are many types of Christmas wreaths and they are certainly a nice addition to your Christmas decorations, but have you ever wondered about the origin or meaning of Christmas wreaths?

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A few of the world’s most fabulous Christmas displays

Christmas displays such as manger scenes or fabulously decorated Christmas trees can be found in many communities. Visiting various Christmas displays year after year can be a wonderful family tradition.

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7 outstanding ideas for creating a memorable Christmas decorating tradition that is fun for the whole family

Christmas decorating is something that people either look forward to or dread. It doesn’t have to be a burdensome event. Getting the whole family in on Christmas decorating and making it a holiday tradition can be fun, exciting and memorable.

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The Christmas tree candle and other Roman traditions

The Christmas tree candle is said to have originated in Germany; however, it has also been linked to Ancient Rome.

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Christmas figurines that are great traditional Christmas gifts for collectors

Christmas figurines are collectibles that make for a wonderful gift giving tradition. Christmas figurines may be expensive, or relatively cheap.

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Christmas candle lighting around the globe

Christmas candle lighting is a custom in many cultures. The Christmas candle traditions have decreased some since the invention of electricity and Christmas tree lights; however, the tradition of the Christmas candle is still alive in many cultures.

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Test your knowledge of holiday traditions like the Christmas cactus

-Have you ever heard of a Christmas cactus?
-What is a Christmas cactus?
-What is the origin of the Christmas cactus?
-What does a Christmas cactus look like?
-How do you care for a Christmas cactus?

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Ever wondered why reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?

Reindeer are a huge part of the story of Santa. Children love the story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer who lights the way for Santa’s sleigh.

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Isn’t the Christmas tree skirt a wonderful idea?

A Christmas tree skirt is something that doesn’t get a lot of attention. The Christmas tree skirt hides the Christmas tree base and makes a nice undercover for placing gifts on, but have you ever wondered where the idea of a Christmas skirt came from?

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The origin of the Christmas stockings

Christmas stockings are an interesting part of Christmas traditions. Who would have ever thought of putting gifts in a sock, or in the modern day version, the Christmas stockings?

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How to make your very own unique and special Christmas traditions that stir hearts and make memories

Christmas traditions are many; however, Laura Legend says some of the very best Christmas traditions start with your own family.

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