Mental Floss

CHRISTMAS





A giant Santa statue in North Pole, Alaska.

From North Pole to Bethlehem to Eggnog, here are 14 places in the United States with names that will remind you of the winter holidays.

Meredith Danko












Charles Dickens is just one person who left a mark on the holiday season.

Historical figures like Charles Dickens, Thomas Nast, Washington Irving, and even Queen Charlotte all helped create Christmas as we know it.

Jane Alexander




This scene depicts several Christmas traditions with long histories.

From expecting Santa to fill socks with gifts to eating cake that looks like tree bark, some holiday traditions are downright odd. But we can explain!

Stacy Conradt




’Tis the season to learn about your favorite Christmas songs.

You’ve sung them while clutching cups of hot cocoa. You’ve heard them played in shopping malls. But do you know how some of the world’s best-known Christmas carols were created?

Kristy Puchko