All Stories

Charles Dickens wrote more merry tales than just 'A Christmas Carol.'

Such was the success of 'A Christmas Carol' that the four festive stories Dickens published after it—some overlooked classics, others critical flops and missteps—have since largely become eclipsed by their better-known predecessor.

A bunch of surprisingly unromantic mistletoe

The tradition of kissing under mistletoe might stem from a mythological murder.

You can use carrots, parsnips, turnips, or all of the above in this simple recipe for roasted root vegetables from the Institute of Culinary Education.

This instant holiday classic has been entertaining comedy lovers for decades.

‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation’ is the gift that keeps on giving (and you kind of have Stanley Kubrick to thank for its existence).

Celine Dion performs in London's Hyde Park.

Celine Dion recently announced that she has been diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome (SPS), a rare and progressive neurological disorder that only affects about one or two out of every 1 million people.

These Christmas-themed offices are harboring 10 differences and one adorable elf. Can you find them all?

All five answers to the questions below have something in common. Can you figure it out?

Have you ever ridden one of Pittsburgh’s inclines?

Pittsburgh residents may seem like they speak a different language. And in a way, they do: Residents call their distinct dialect Pittsburghese. Here are some slang terms to know so you don’t look too much like a tourist.

Olivia Hussey stars in Bob Clark's 'Black Christmas' (1974).

Nearly a decade before he made ‘A Christmas Story,’ Bob Clark turned a horror movie about an unsuspecting group of sorority sisters and a mysterious killer lurking in their attic into a different kind of holiday classic.

When kids ask if Santa is real, is it time to come clean?

In this episode of The History of Fun, Mental Floss producer and host Justin Dodd traces the topsy-turvy track of roller coaster history and explores the science behind being thrilled.

'White Christmas' (1954) has been getting people into the holiday spirit for nearly 70 years.

Holiday movies play to our nostalgia bias, a cognitive process that makes us long for past times because we think they were somehow better than now.

What does the 'J' stand for? And when will he get his Oscar?

Tenoch Huerta in 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' (2022).

Accuracy was important to the filmmakers behind the 'Black Panther' sequel—so much so that one visual effects artist was tasked with making sure the fish poop looked realistic.

Nobody will think you’re talking about baseball season, open season, or any other season. But why?

Getting snowed in with these books wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

Get snowed in with the best books to read in winter, including “Snowblind” by Ragnar Jónasson, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” and other great reads.

Peter Billingsley is Ralphie Parker in 'A Christmas Story' (2023).

Ralphie Parker's thirst for an air rifle was borne out of a real toy trend and a fake cowboy.

(Left to right) Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Dave Bautista, and Chris Pratt in 'The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special'.

‘Elf,’ ‘A Christmas Story,’ and ‘A Muppet Christmas Carol’ all made the list. So did ‘Die Hard.’

Worried about dust or pet dander? This air purifier can help.

Looking to clear the air before a holiday get-together? This Blueair air purifier can help, and now it's on sale on Amazon.

In this episode of Misconceptions, host Justin Dodd sheds some light on the prison system.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, bagpipes, and some of the world’s finest whiskies all hail from Scotland—but the country’s most lovable export might be the Scottish Fold Cat. (Sorry, Scottish Terriers.)