Whether it’s serving a traditional ham or roast beef for a family dinner, hanging stockings over the fireplace or sending cards, Christmas traditions are celebrated all over the world. Here are a few of the traditions according to All Things Christmas.

The portly and white-bearded Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, Kris Kringle, and simply “Santa,” is a figure with legendary, mythical, historical and folkloric origins who is said to bring gifts to the homes of the good children during the late evening and overnight hours of Christmas Eve. The modern figure was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas, which, in turn, may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil’s feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.

Santa Claus (aka Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas or Kris Kringle)

Ever wonder why we hang up Christmas Stockings?  Legend has it that a kindly nobleman grew despondent over the death of his beloved wife and foolishly squandered his fortune. This left his three young daughters without dowries and thus facing a life of spinsterhood. The generous St. Nicholas, hearing of the girls’ plight, set forth to help. Wishing to remain anonymous, he rode his white horse by the nobleman’s house and threw three small pouches of gold coins down the chimney where they were fortuitously captured by the stockings the young women had hung by the fireplace to dry, according to All Things Christmas.

Who got caught under the mistletoe? And why are they deserving of a kiss? As the story goes the mistletoe is sacred to ancient druids and a symbol of eternal life like the Christmas tree. The Romans valued it as a symbol of peace and this lead eventually its acceptance among Christmas props. Kissing under mistletoe was a Roman custom, too.

Mistletoe

From the standards to the traditional, Christmas songs and carols are sung throughout the world and date back to the 4th century. According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, among the favorite songs we sing in the U.S. are “The Christmas Song” (Chestnuts roasting on Open Fire), “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “White Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer” and “Jingle Bell Rock.”

A tradition that some may say is disappearing with email, sending Christmas cards via snail mail is a tradition that dates back to the 1800s. The practice of sending Christmas greeting cards to friends was initiated by Sir Henry Cole in England. The year was 1843 and the first card was designed by J.C.Horsley. It was commercial – 1000 copies were sold in London. An English artist, William Egley, produced a popular card in 1849. From the beginning the themes have been as varied as the Christmas customs worldwide, according to Stantaland.com.

Holiday Greeting Card

What’s your favorite Christmas or Holiday tradition?