Christmas Traditions

Epiphany Gift Giving Traditions

Epiphany Gift Giving

Epiphany gift giving also varies among different cultures. Some open all presents on the first day of Christmas (December 25th), while others stagger gift opening throughout the twelve days of Christmas, and yet others wait until Epiphany to open all their presents, since it marks the day the Magi came bearings gifts for Jesus.

Spreading out the gift giving throughout the twelve days of Christmas is a great way to extend the excitement of Christmas Day for your family. We suggest opening one present on Christmas Day, then one on each of the following twelve days of Christmas with the remainder opened during Epiphany celebrations.

Or, if you have children who won't hear of waiting until January 6th to tear into their gifts, give each family member a special sweet treat on each of the twelve days with a big dessert for the Epiphany celebration.

Epiphany Tradition: King's Cake

King's Cake

Another common thread in Epiphany celebrations is baking a "King's Cake," which is a cake that has a small doll or trinket inside of it. King's Cake is commonly baked in France, Puerto Rico, Spain, Mexico and the United States. Once the cake is served, whoever finds the trinket becomes king for the day. Alternately, in some families, whoever finds the trinket is responsible for baking next year's cake.

The King's Cake Epiphany tradition mirrors that of the Mardi Gras King's Cake. For more details on the Mardi Gras version, as well as delicious recipes to try, see our article on Mardi Gras King's Cake.

Yule log cakes, a traditional symbol for Christmas, are also incorporated into Epiphany celebrations. Families often begin eating the Yule log cake on Christmas, and continue having a piece each day until the twelfth day of Christmas, finishing the Yule log on Epiphany.

If you would like to try incorporating King's Cake and Yule log Epiphany traditions into your family's Christmas celebrations, consider these highly rated recipes from All Recipes and Emeril Lagasse:

• Christmas Yule Log (also known as Buche de Noel)
• King's Cake

The Tradition of an Epiphany Feast

Epiphany Feast

The easiest Epiphany tradition to incorporate into your family's Christmas festivities is the Epiphany feast. Being the last day of the Christmas celebration, the most common tradition throughout different cultures is to have a large feast to honor the Epiphany.

Many cultures believe it is bad luck to keep Christmas decorations up past Epiphany, so plan an afternoon of family time spent taking down the Christmas decorations, and treat everyone to a delicious Epiphany feast once everything is put away for the year. It's the perfect way to sweeten the chore of taking down decorations and a great way to kick off the new year.

Another fun Epiphany tradition to try is to go around the table during dinner and share resolutions and hopes for the New Year with family and friends. Looking forward will get everyone excited for the year ahead, and starts the new year off on a positive note.

The History of Epiphany Celebrations

History of the Epiphany Celebration

The Epiphany is the day Christians believe the three wise men commemorated the birth of Jesus Christ with feasting and presents. It is also said to be the day that Christ's baptism took place, and is the day of his revelation to the Gentiles.' According to the Gregorian calendar, the Epiphany celebration falls on January 6th.

Epiphany also marks the day after the twelfth day of Christmas (which falls on January 5th), and is usually the final celebration of the Christmas holiday. The twelve days of Christmas begin with Jesus' birth on Christmas Day and end with the Epiphany. The only exception to this is for Eastern churches who follow the Julian Calendar, in which Epiphany occurs on January 19th.

Interestingly, many Americans mistakenly believe the twelve days of Christmas start on December 14th since fewer and fewer modern families still celebrate the Epiphany. However, the twelve days of Christmas are still celebrated throughout Europe (including England) and in Latin American countries, who observe Epiphany as an important holiday and have rich traditions associated with its celebration.

Christmas in Mexico

Feliz Navidad!

Christmas in Mexico is a big, colorful celebration filled with rich traditions focused on food, family and religion.

Mexicans begin their celebrations on December 12, the birthday of "La Guadalupana" (Virgin of Guadalupe) and continue on until January 6, with the feast of the Epiphany, similar to the Italians.

On January 6, children wake up to find gifts from the Three Magic Kings or Wiseman. Children in Mexico believe it is they, similar to Santa Claus, that bring gifts to Baby Jesus and all of the children in Mexico. Mexican children write letters to the Three Magic Kings just as kids in the U.S. write to Santa Claus.

The "Nacimiento" or "El Nacimiento"(Nativity scene) is a popular custom here as well. Most families all have a Nativity set up and commemorate Jesus' birth by placing a baby figure in the cradle on Christmas eve at Midnight.

Midnight celebrations include fireworks, ringing bells and blowing whistles, followed by Midnight Mass.

Following mass, families enjoy a feast including popular dishes from their regions such as tamales, rellenos and menudo. Biscochitos are a delicious, traditional Mexican Christmas dessert.

Finally, any Mexican celebration couldn't be complete with a pinata and lots of poinsettias, which are a popular Christmas decoration in Mexico.

Christmas in Germany

Froehliche Weihnachten!

In Germany, Christmas celebrations begin as early as December 1st. Germans are usually busy baking cookies and creating little dolls made out of dried fruit.

Gingerbread houses are a huge tradition in Germany. As is the German Christmas tree pastry, Christbaumgeback, which is a white dough that can be molded into shapes and baked for tree decorations.

Lighting the candles of an Advent wreath is a popular tradition that seems to have begun in Germany. Beginning with the first Sunday before Christmas, a candle is lit each week until Christmas. Christmas fir trees are also hugely popular in Germany and many families are known to have more than one.

Christkind (Christ child) is the mythical figure that is believed to leave presents for good children on Christmas day. He is derived from St. Nicholas (the patron saint of children) and is a winged figure dressed in a white robe, wearing a gold crown.

Many regions in Germany also still celebrate Nikolaustag or St. Claus Day on December 6. Children leave a boot on the outside of their doors in hope that St. Nicholas will leave a small gift such as fruit and/or chocolate.

A German Christmas dinner usually consists of roast goose, suckling pig, weisswurst and rice porridge. Fruitcakes such as Christollen and Dresden Stollen are popular, as is marizpan for dessert.

Christmas in France

Joyeux Noel!

In France, Christmas is celebrated with respect to family, friends and religious beliefs.

Just as in Italy, displaying The Nativity is a tradition so many across the country take part in. So much so that lthe ittle clay figures called "santons" or "little saints" that are placed in the creche (or Baby Jesus' cradle) are made and sold by artisans yearlong.

The children in France hang up their shoes or wooden clogs in hopes that Pere Noel (the equivalent of the American Santa Claus) will visit and leave them presents, fruits, sweets and nuts. He is accompanied by Pre Fouettard, who helps him remember who has been good or bad all year long.

Christmas Eve dinner is quite the feast in France. Typically eaten after midnight mass, the dinner is referred to as "Le Reveillon" and changes depending on the region. Along with plenty of cheese, fruit and wine, some of the more popular menu items include goose, oysters, foie gras and turkey with chestnuts.

One common tradition throughout all of France is the "Buche de Nol" or "Christmas Log" for dessert. Basically, it is a rolled cake filled with cream and decorated to resemble a woodland log.

Christmas in Italy

Buon Natale!

Italians celebrate Christmas in a big way, with most of their customs focused on their deep religious beliefs.

The festivities begin eight days before Christmas when Italians celebrate the Novena, a Roman Catholic service that consists of prayers for nine consecutive days.

During this week before Christmas, children typically dress up as shepherds and travel door to door singing and reciting Christmas poems. Any donations they make are used to buy presents for those less-fortunate.

Displaying The Nativity began in Italy when St. Francis of Assisi asked a local villager to create a manger scene to symbolize the birth of Jesus. The carved pieces soon became a staple of folk art treasures.

Italians follow a strict fast 24 hours before Christmas Eve and then typically feast on fish that evening, excluding meat.

At noon on Christmas day the Pope gives his blessing to the crowds that gather at the Vatican.

Finally, children typically wait until January 6, the day the feast of the Epiphany ends, to open their presents. This is when "La Befana" arrives with little goodies to fill their stockings with.

Legend suggests that she was a (good) witch who travelled on her broomstick following the three wiseman as they made their way to welcome Baby Jesus. However, in her travels she left behind for good children along the way, while bad children received a lump of coal!

A Traditional Nativity Scene

While most modern nativity scenes, whether live performances or tabletop sets, display all the characters at one time, this is not how nativities began. Traditional nativity scenes followed the teachings of the gospels of Matthew and Luke with characters making appearances in this order.

• The scene starts with Mary and Joseph along with two animals, an ox and a donkey.
• On December 24, baby Jesus is laid in the manger.
• Shepherds are added the following day.
• In early January, wise men are placed at the nativity. As is written in the Bible, the wise men arrived much later and would not be present with the shepherds.
• In some countries even today, nativity scenes are left up until early February.

History of Nativity Scenes

Inspired by the gospels of Matthew and Luke, nativity scenes depict the birth of Jesus Christ. They have played a symbolic role in the lives of Christians for centuries, but St. Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first living version played out in Rome in 1224. These early nativities presented a simple depiction of the miracle birth with only a manger, an ox and a donkey.

The First Nativity Scene

After his return to Italy from a voyage to Egypt in 1220, Saint Francis of Assis introduced the first three-dimensional nativity scene. He only used a straw-filled manger set between a real ox and donkey. It was said to be beautiful in its simplicity.

It wasn't until 1562 when a crib was added to scene by the Jesuits in Prague. It was considered the first crib of the modern kind.

The History of the Candy Cane

• In 1670, the choir director at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany began handing out candy canes to reward his young singers for their good behavior during the living creche procession.
  
• Back then, candy canes were basically a pure white (no stripes!) sugar stick. Later, as they gained popularity, they were shaped to look like a shepherd's hook or a "J ", both representing Jesus.
  
• Later, as Christmas trees began to gain popularity in Europe, candy canes became the go-to ornament for trees. Candy canes made their way to America in the 1800's and soon after, the red stripes began to appear and were flavored with peppermint oil. Both religious symbols.
  

Christmas Traditions from Around the World

France
While Americans save the big feast for Christmas day, the French can't wait that long. Le Reveillon is a feast held after the Christmas Eve midnight mass (la Messe de Minuit) that serves to symbolically awaken participants to Jesus' birth, according to About.com.

During the feast a variety of traditional foods and deserts are served, which may include:

• Poultry like capon and goose
• Desserts like Boudin Blanc, white pudding
• La bche de Nol or the Yule log is a cake that is made to look like a log
• Le pain calendeau, the Christmas Loaf is traditionally given to the poor
  

Latin America
In Latin America, Christmas time means pastels. A type of breaded wrap, it can be made from dough featuring plantains, cassava, rice or even pumpkin. The little dishes are made by the dozens around the holidays and served with traditional Christmas fare like arroz con gandules (rice and peas) or roasted pork.

Wash it all down with a few swigs of coquito, a Puerto-Rican beverage that's similar to eggnog, and you'll swear you're in the balmy tropics.

Japan
Christmas in Japan is marked by a very special dessert and a surprising choice in music. The Christmas cake, Japan's answer to the fruitcake, is a sponge cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries that is served around the holidays. The Daiku, a Beethovan's Ninth Symphony, is considered traditional Christmas music in the country.

South Africa
Unlike Christmas in most parts of the world, a South African holiday season is marked by summer weather and the full bounty of local flowers. Outdoor dinners during the season include turkey, yellow rice, and plum pudding.

You can't go wrong with traditional Christmas food and customs, but if you are looking for a new, different, international taste, sample one of the exotic

Nice Santa or Naughty History?

Nice Claim: The legend of Santa Claus can be traced to a Turkish monastery.

Facts: The legend of Santa Claus first began in 280 A.D. with a monk named St. Nicholas. Much admired for his kindness and benevolence, Nicholas, is said to have given away all of his inheritance and became known as the protector of children and the poor.

His feast was celebrated on the anniversary of his death, December 6th. The night before the holiday children were to set out food for the saint and straw for his horses. The next morning obedient children awoke to find their gifts replaced with sweets and toys, while disobedient children found their offerings untouched.


Nice Claim: Americans invented the name Santa Claus.

The name Santa Claus evolved from Nicks Dutch nickname, Sinterklass. In the early 1700s Danish families that had immigrated to New York began gathering on the anniversary of his death to honor the saint. In their excitement for the holiday, English-speaking children often mispronounced the name as Sante-Claus, which eventually evolved into Santa Claus.

Naughty Claim: Santa Claus is the patron saint of New York.


Facts: In 1809 Washington Irving made his first inroads into American popular culture when he named St. Nicholas the patron saint of New York in satire, The History of New York. Irving described Santa as a jolly Dutchman who smoked a long pipe, wore baggy breaches and lay his finger beside his nose.

Nice Claim: Santa Claus was almost never created.

Facts: In 1823 American writer Clement Moore, canonized the figure of Santa in a poem, A Visit From Saint Nicholas. He was originally hesitant to publish the long poem because he thought it frivolous. But it became an instant best seller, describing in great detail the character we now recognize as the modern day Santa; a jolly old elf with a broad face and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly.

Naughty Claim: Coca Cola illustrated the modern day Santa Claus.

Facts: In 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast illustrated the Moores poem for Harpers Weekly. The cartoon depicted as a rotund, cheerful character with a full, white beard, holding a sack laden with toys for lucky children.

It is Nast who gave Santa his bright red suit trimmed with white fur, North Pole workshop, elves, and even his wife, Mrs. Claus. In 1931, artist Haddon Sundblom added the final touches to Santas image for a series of Coca Cola advertisements. The ads feature a portly grandfatherly Santa with human proportions, a ruddy complexion and a twinkle in his eye.

Naughty Claim: Santa Claus does not have a valid address.

Facts: In 1912 the U.S. Postmaster authorized local postmasters to allow individuals to use letters addressed to Santa Claus for philanthropic purposes. Since then the post office in Fairbanks, AK has become the official North Pole, and each year the city receives hundreds of thousands of letters addressed to the roly-poly icon.

Nice Claim: The Salvation Army was among the first to dress up Santa suit.

Facts: By the early 1890s, the Salvation Army needed money to pay for the free Christmas meals they provided to needy families. Thus, they began dressing up unemployed men in Santa suits and sending them into the streets of New York to solicit donations. The familiar Salvation Army of Santa Clauses have been ringing bells on street corners in American cities ever since.

Christmas Traditions

Christmas is celebrated with so many traditions, unique to various cultures and individual families. Perhaps youre searching for new ways to keep your familys existing traditions or to incorporate new traditions from other cultures. Weve got all of the ideas and traditions youll need to celebrate this Christmas.

Tradition for the Tots

Tell the story of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Have 12 battery operated candles, but only allow your child to "light "one each night.

On Christmas night, ceremoniously light the twelfth candle as a family to signify unity.

The Yule Log

The Norse are believed by some to have started the tradition of the Yule log. During the ancient mid-winter festival entitled "Yule," people would light a log in their hearth and celebrate until the log burned out. "Yule" is derived from the Norse word hweol, meaning wheel, as they believed the sun to be a wheel of fire.

Fruitcake and Eggnog

We have to mention the poor misunderstood fruitcake! Many give a fruitcake loaf to friends and family as a symbol of the sweetness of the season. Packed with red and green cherries, nuts, pineapples, and anything candied, this little cake becomes so heavy that some jokingly refer to it as an edible paperweight.

Nog is an off-shot of grog, which refers to a rum drink. Records show that eggnog has been a part of the Christmas celebration since 1607 in the Jamestown settlement.

Oh! Christmas Tree

It is widely thought that Germans started the tradition of an indoor Christmas tree in the 16th century, and Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, was the first make it shine. On his way home one winter evening Luther was awestruck by the twinkling stars, and, wanting to recapture their brilliance, placed lit candles on his tree.

In England 1841, Prince Albert, German husband of Queen Victoria, brought the first Christmas tree to the royal castle of Windsor. A sketch of the royal family around a holiday tree was depicted in Illustrated London News, and the custom caught on in Britain.

History tells us that the Pennsylvania Germans had community trees in America as early as 1747. But, in 1848 a newspaper printed a picture of a Christmas tree, which popularized the tradition in the United States.

By the 1890's, tree decorations were fashionable, as the Victorians had a flair for putting adornments on most everything. Christmas ornaments had made their way to the states from Germany and other parts of Europe, but most Americans decorated their trees with homemade ornaments, fruits, nuts, sweets, and candles. Fortunately, the invention of electricity enabled us to replace the unsafe practice of candles on the tree with strings of lights. As the century grew so did the business of Christmas, with just about any ornament or decoration one can imagine available for purchase.

Christmas trees illuminate every town square across the country during the Yuletide season, reminding us all to be a little nicer to one another. The White House's tradition isn't complete until the President flicks a switch officially turning the lights on a majestic tree. And since 1933, the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center has been a national treasure. But, the true beauty of this symbol of life, love, and, happiness can be felt gazing at its magnificent image in the window of a holiday home.

Here Comes Santa Claus

The legend of Santa Claus is thought by many to be inspired by a real man named Saint Nicholas. Born in what we now call Turkey in 280 AD, this bishop was known for his love of children and generosity.

One story of St. Nick tells how the popular bishop disguised himself and begged for money to give to the needy. Another tale reveals how St. Nicholas' charity helped three sisters marry, as their father was a poor man with no dowry to offer suitors. When the first daughter was to be wed, Saint Nicholas anonymously dropped a bag of gold down the chimney. While he was helping the other two daughters in the same secretive way, he was caught in the act and word of his philanthropy soon spread around the land.

St. Nicholas first found his way into the American culture near the end of the eighteenth century. Back then, our image of Santa was a man dressed in white with long robes with a pontifical hat. In 1809, Washington Irving wrote "A History of New York" and in a revised version in 1812, he poked fun at the Dutch holiday figure, "Sinter Klaas."

Clement Moore's poem in 1822 entitled, "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas," described him as "a right jolly old elf," flying though the air with a miniature sleigh and 8 reindeer. Moore's authorship of the poem has been disputed throughout the years with no definitive outcome. But in 1881, political cartoonist Thomas Nast illustrated Santa in Harper's Weekly as a plump, cheerful man with a white beard, holding a sack full of toys for children. Nast, drawing on folklore, gave Santa his red suit trimmed with white fur, North Pole home, elves in a workshop, and Mrs. Claus.

It was The New York Times that brought all the myths and legends together in 1927, describing the image and story of the magical Santa we know today. And Coca-Cola's holiday advertising brought him to the rest of the country. In 1931 Haddon Sundblom, an illustrator for Coca-Cola, created clever advertisements each Christmas of Santa Claus at work! Children across the world know him by many names, but all know St. Nick as the one who brings toys to all the good little girls and boys on Christmas day.

Christmas Carols

Caroling is believed to have started in England around the middle ages. As was the custom on many holidays, those hoping for a donation of food or money sang songs as they traveled from house to house. Today, we carol with our neighbors and at holiday parties, as it always fills one with the Christmas spirit.

Sending Christmas Cards

Each year Christmas cheer is sent to friends and family by the millions through the U.S. Postal Service. It all began in the 1830's when an Englishman named John Calcott Horsley began to make small cards featuring Christmas scenes and a holiday verse. Simultaneously in America, R.H. Pease was manufacturing Christmas cards in Albany, New York, as well as Louis Prang, a German immigrant, in 1850.

Stockings on a Fireplace

In our tale of Santa Claus, we told of how St. Nicholas dropped a bag of gold down the chimney as dowry for a poor man's betrothed daughter. As legend has it, the bag of gold fell into a stocking that was hung to dry on the fireplace. We hang Christmas stockings today hoping Santa will drop gifts into it.

Gift-Giving and Mall Santas

A tradition that stems from Saint Nicholas' generosity, the practice of giving many gifts to children became popular in the 19th century. Stores began to publicize Christmas shopping in 1820 and by mid-century newspapers had holiday sections advertising a real Santa in the stores for children to visit.

This snowballed into the gift-giving bonanza we know today, as many parents couldn't resist buying more trinkets for their darlings, especially after they had personally told Santa what they wished for.

Mistletoe and Holiday Greenery

In ancient times, decorating with greenery was symbolic of the coming spring, and mistletoe a sign of fertility. Apparently, we have the Celts to thank for this custom of hanging mistletoe in the doorway and kissing those who pass under it. We all know what a simple kiss can lead to.

Christmas Customs Around The World

Each country has its own way of celebrating Christmas. The holiday occurs in Australia's summer, and instead of a tree, a Christmas Bush with little red-flowered leaves is decorated.

In England, Father Christmas brings toys to children wearing a long red or green robe and children also hang stockings.

Pere Noel fills shoes left out by French children with gifts, and La Pere has a light-hearted spanking for naughty children.

German children put a wish list on the windowsill along with a spoonful of sugar to make sure St. Nicholas pays them a visit.

Many Italians gather in Vatican City at noon on Christmas Day to be blessed by the Pope.

Dedushka Moroz symbolizes Grandfather Christmas in Russia, with Baboushka playing "Santa" and handing out gifts to children.

Scandinavian countries observe St. Lucia Day on December 13th. The eldest daughter, called "Lucy Bride," wakes each of her family dressed in a long, white gown tied with a red sash, and a crown with nine candles.

In the Ukraine, the youngest child watches for the first star to appear after which the family feast can begin.

Reindeers & Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Russian Emperor Vladimir visited Constantinople, now Turkey, around the 9th century and, upon hearing the charitable stories of Bishop Nicholas, he made him the patron saint of Russia. The stories spread to the Laplands where people drove sleds pulled by reindeer.

But "the most famous reindeer" is Rudolph! In 1939, Montgomery Ward's department store publicized a Christmas poem written by employee Robert L. May to boost holiday sales. We all knew the story of the red-nosed marvel, but when Gene Autry sung the tale of Rudolph in 1949, and Burl Ives narrated the clay-mation version in 1964, Rudolph became a seasonal favorite.