Christmas Articles
The story of Santa's eight reindeer... and that other one
by Allen Shaw
There's Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen... Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen... and they were been doing the work for generations before Rudolph began hogging all the glory. The first eight original reindeer have been with old Kris Kringle for more than 1500 years. Taking him on his once yearly journey around the world to take all the toys to the good boys and girls. So why does Rudolph get all the glory? Easy... it's timing.
The Origin of the Christmas Tree
by Allen Shaw
Have you ever wondered why we decorate a tree for Christmas? What sense does it make? We cut down a perfectly good tree, bring it in the house, decorate it with glass balls, twinkle lights, embarrassing arts and crafts from our youth and put a big star on top - why? No one knows for sure. But the Christmas tree does have a long, if not mythological, history...
Legends of the Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling up images of gifts and family jollity. There are many beautiful connections to ancient traditions. Egyptian and Roman customs, early Christian practices and Victorian nostalgia are all combined in our modern Christmas tree...
The Truth about Mistletoe
You can call it the emasculator of the old king, a sexual symbol, latent with fertility or a good luck charm for a dairy herd. It's been used as an antidote for poison, a fire suppressant, a protection against evil spirits, a pain reliever for rheumatoid arthritis and as a gift of peace between warring neighbours. This parasitic shrub with sticky white berries has somehow shrugged off its shady past to become a tradition of our Christmas. But this is, after all, a season of myth, legend, and make believe...
The Evolution of Christmas Ornaments
Things have come a long way since a Christmas ornament was likely to be just a ball hung by the window, or later on a Christmas tree...
The History of Christmas Ornaments
In A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first mentions December 25 as the date of Jesus' birth. This date was likely influenced by the year-end pagan festivals to celebrate the harvest...
The History of Christmas Trees
You may not realize this but the history of christmas trees did not begin in America, England or even Germany. In fact America was one of the last continents to catch on to the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. The history of christmas trees begins long before the birth of Christ and even before the Egyptian civilizations.
Featured Article
The National Christmas Tree
Behind the Scenes -- People Work Year Round to Bring this Tree to Light
Favorite Recipes
Spice Up Holiday Cutout Cookies
Dust off your rolling pin and cookie cutters -- cutout cookies are a classic symbol of the festive holiday season.
Thumbprint Cookies Recipes
No holiday is complete without at least one batch of adorable, jelly-filled thumbprint cookies.
Flavored Butter Recipes
Dress up your table for the season with a holiday favorite - real butter.