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5 Christmas Traditions You Love And The History Behind Them

Fun, family, and tradition!

Brooklynn Wilkes

Dec 21, 2018

Jacksonville State University

295

Wikimedia

Christmas time is full of fun, family, and tradition. These are just a few traditions and the history that made them what we know and love today.

1. Advent calendars

Today, when you hear about advent calendars you think about little candies/toys, the countdown to Christmas, and the stress of being the first to do it each day. However, it was not always like this, the first known Advent calendar was made in 1851. The first advent calendars did not include the candy and toys we are used to today, they actually consisted of tally marks on a door throughout the month of December counting down to Christmas. Small pictures were also used to mark each day.

2. Gingerbread houses

Making Gingerbread houses have become a staple of entertainment for kids and adults alike. They originated in Germany during the 16th century. They became popular through the story of Hansel and Gretel written by the Brothers Grimm. Today, people battle it out to make the largest, smallest, or most extravagant gingerbread houses.

3. Christmas lights

Christmas lights are a normal sight around Christmas time and I'm definitely not complaining. There is something beautiful and cheery about seeing all of these bright bulbs beaming in the night. In the mid 20th century, Christmas lights were beginning to make their start in and around people's homes. Before electric lights were made, candles were used (which is extremely dangerous, so glad that didn't catch on for this generation). Christians are credited with the introduction to Christmas lights, they saw the lights as a display of God's light during this time of year.

Christmas trees

Decorating a Christmas tree is widely known as the ultimate way of celebrating Christmas and the new year. Christmas trees were originally used to celebrate winter festivals. Fir trees were used to decorate peoples homes to help remind them of the spring to come, some trees were even hung upside down. It is unknown where using a fir tree to decorate for Christmas originally started, but Germany, Latvia, and Estonian have been arguing about who had it first.

Candy canes

Two words. Candy. Canes. Candy canes are sweet and appealing to the eye treat for anyone to enjoy during the holiday season. Candy canes originally were "candy sticks" made in Massachusetts in 1837. In 1866, they were first called candy canes and in 1874 is when they were first associated with Christmas. Early recipes didn't have the original peppermint flavor we are used to today and simply just tasted like sugar. Today's candy canes come in multiple colors and flavors, however, the original peppermint taste will always reign supreme.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Christmas Traditions You Love And The History Behind Them

Fun, family, and tradition!

1. Advent calendars

2. Gingerbread houses

3. Christmas lights

Christmas trees

Candy canes

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Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

CDs

Movie Tickets

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