In the realm of Greek folklore, it’s not the Grinch but the Kalikantzaroi that stir trouble during the holidays. Emerging between December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 6 (the Feast of Epiphany), these mischievous goblins wreak havoc by destroying furniture and, at times, making off with Christmas treats and gifts!
In the United States, the holiday season brings about traditional tales of Santa Claus, the Three Wise Men, and the Little Match Girl. In Italy, another character takes center stage: La Befana.
Every country and culture has its own holiday traditions and fables. One of Ukraine’s Christmas traditions is particularly unique: It involves spider webs and Christmas trees.
The holidays are a time for nostalgia, and what’s more nostalgic than the house that Kevin McCallister had all to himself in the Christmas classic “Home Alone”?
The Dallas Arboretum’s annual holiday celebration has officially begun! “Holiday at the Arboretum” features stunning Christmas and winter displays and offers a wide range of activities and attractions to keep visitors of all ages entertained for hours.
Department store Santas are a staple during the holiday season. Where did this tradition start, though? Who was the first department store Santa?
It doesn’t matter where you are in the world or how you celebrate. A stunning winter scene can always brighten up the darkest and coldest months. Need ideas for picturesque winter wonderlands to check out? From Québec City to Harbin, here’s a collection of our favorite winter destinations!
To spread some extra holiday cheer this year, Finnair, Santa’s official airline, is using virtual reality to offer eight “flights” to Santa’s hometown of Rovaniemi, Finland. This will be Finnair’s first-ever virtual flight experience. Starting on December 25, Finnair’s virtual reality flights will be available for just €10 ($12) per person. All of the flights’ profits will go to a fund created by UNICEF, which will help children who have been negatively affected by COVID-19.
For years, Santa Claus has been busy “making his list and checking it twice,” but the man in the red suit has come a long way from his humble beginnings to the Santa the world knows and loves today.
Christmas trees are a beloved tradition for people all over the world, symbolizing the end of the year and the joy of the holiday season. Long thought of as a religious symbol, it may come as a surprise that the earliest origin of the Christmas tree dates back to ancient, paganistic rituals.
