You can't escape the Christmas spirit. Just about as soon as the month of December rolls around, lights and trees and little plastic Santas start popping up all over the place. It's a time of family, food, gifts, and tradition... And man, do we have a ton of traditions surrounding Christmas. Like all traditions, you've got the good ones... and then, you've got the other ones. Since Christmas is almost here, the Odyssey team here at FHU decided to take a look at some of these common traditions.
1. Christmas lights: CUTE
Think about it. There's not much daylight during the winter, at least where I live. So we hang little lights on trees to make up for it! Besides, NOTHING is cozier than a string of Christmas lights.
2. Stockings: ODD
Odd, that is, until you hear the story behind it. The more you read, it's actually kind of depressing, but it's also the origin of Saint Nicholas. The gist is, Saint Nick dropped some gold coins into this poor family's socks they hung by the fire to dry. Of course, it's not really common to dry your socks by the fireplace anymore.
3. Santa coming down the chimney: KINDA CREEPY
So you're telling me that this bearded old dude is going to break into my house via chimney on this certain night of the year, and this isn't supposed to concern me? Also, think of the houses that don't have chimneys. What is he supposed to do then? Come up through the vents?
4. Krampus: ACTUALLY JUST SCARY
It's probably a good thing this isn't a well-known tradition. As Saint Nick's counterpart (basically an evil Santa), this guy's got fangs, and he punishes the bad kids on Christmas. Must be why that song warns, "So be good for goodness' sake!"
5. Christmas trees: ODD
We cut down a tree and stuck it in our living room? Okay... Brings a whole new meaning to house plant, I guess.
6. Decorating said tree: DOWNRIGHT ADORABLE
Look, there's this tree inside our living room! Let's make some shiny ornament things and hang them on it to make it feel pretty (or something like that)!
7. Mistletoe: JUST A TAD BIT CREEPY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT
I don't care if there is a plant hanging over my head. Doesn't mean I owe anybody a kiss.
8. Opening one present on Christmas Eve: CUTE
Maybe this one isn't as widespread a tradition as the others, but it's one of my favorites. It's like a teaser trailer for the next day.
9. Christmas cards: ODD
Not the Hallmark cards or the letters. Those are all fine. No, we're talking about those picture postcard ones: you know, the ones that only have a studio picture of your family and some short "Merry Christmas" sentiment. It's like sending a very formal selfie.
10. Elf on the Shelf: EXTREMELY CREEPY
The thing looks like a chubby-cheeked demon to begin with. And you're going to try to convince your kids the thing is sentient?
So some traditions are really weird if you think about it. On the flip side, some are great! But hey, Christmas wouldn't quite be Christmas without all of them!
Except maybe Krampus. We could do without Krampus.
(I'm sure we didn't cover all the traditions here in the U.S. [not to mention some super cool traditions held around the globe such as leaving your shoes out for Santa or eating KFC for Christmas dinner]. Do you have a tradition we didn't mention? Let us know in the comments!)
