Where Did These Traditions Come From?

Many of the holiday traditions we know started out much differently. Some weren't even part of the Christmas season at all!

Christmas Trees: Many know that the decorated fir tree can be traced back to Germany (remember “O Tannenbaum”?), but it was actually when Britain's Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert, were seen in a magazine sitting by a decorated tree in their home that Christmas trees became popular.

Poinsettias: This holiday icon hails from southern Mexico. Legend tells of a poor girl who left green weeds as an offering at a Nativity scene and they blossomed into beautiful red flowers.

St. Nicholas: There are many different versions and origin stories for this jolly holiday gift-giver, but the oldest is from the area of modernday Turkey. It is said that in the third century, a generous and kind bishop named St. Nicholas gave away his wealth to those in need.

Gingerbread Men: The debut of these shaped treats is credited to Queen Elizabeth I of England, who supposedly had gingerbread figures made in the likenesses of special guests in attendance at her elaborate dinner parties.

Yule Log: This chocolaty cake represents a tradition that once featured a real log. During early Gaelic and Celtic winter solstice celebrations, families would decorate logs with holly and pinecones and then ceremoniously burn them to cleanse the air of the old year and start fresh for the new.