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10 Historical Facts About Santa Letters
Children used to address their letters to Iceland, Ice Street, Cloudville, and 'Behind the Moon.'
HOLIDAYS
Inside the German Town Where Advent Is the Main Attraction
Gengenbach is serious about its Christmas countdown.
Tomb Raider: The Story of Saint Nicholas's Stolen Bones
The Santa Claus of folklore doesn't have a skeleton. But his inspiration, Saint Nicholas, does, and people have been fighting over his bones since they were stolen nearly a millennium ago.
6 Tips From Experts on How to Fake Loving a Gift You Hate
Be gracious this holiday season … even if you have to fake it.
Why Your Christmas Lights Always Get Tangled, According to Science
We turned to mathematicians, physicists, and engineers to find out why the lights are so frustrating—and how to improve them.
8 Odd Items People Have Used to Decorate Christmas Trees
From ears of corn to live canaries, these old-school trimmings didn't make the jump to modern times.
10 Secrets of Christmas Tree Farmers
That tapered Christmas tree silhouette? It takes a lot of work.
23 Funny Historical Letters to Santa
"I wish you would please bring me a typewriter and a drum and a doll dressed in a sailor suit so I can call it Raymond."
7 Spine-Tingling Tales of Christmas Ghosts
Here's a little Christmas fright to go along with your cheer.
The Man Who Killed Santa Claus
Santa was supposed to glide gently down from an airplane via parachute. It didn't go according to plan.
Move Over, Hygge: Còsagach Is How You Get Cozy In Scotland
It's like the Danish concept, only Scottish.
15 Festive Facts About Jingle All the Way
The cult Christmas comedy had an interesting road to completion.
Want Priority Boarding On Your Alaska Airlines Flight This Holiday Season? Wear an Ugly Christmas Sweater
The festive promotion is good for all Alaska, Virgin America, and Horizon Air flights on Friday, December 15.
8 Regional Alternatives to Christmas Trees
Although conifers such as fir, pine, and spruce are the most popular Christmas trees, some people around the country switch it up.
A.C. Gilbert, the Toymaker Who (Actually) Saved Christmas
In 1918, the U.S. government threatened to close down toy factories and discourage gift-giving to shift focus toward the war. A.C. Gilbert wasn't having it.
Here Are the Best and Worst Days for Christmas Travel
If you want to get home in time for the holidays, don’t fly on December 23.
30 Cold, Hard Facts About Die Hard
What do you get when you mix one part action movie with one part holiday flick and add in a dash of sweaty tank top? Why, 'Die Hard,' of course.
Pine vs. PVC: How Real and Fake Christmas Trees Compare
Consider these factors before choosing a side.
4 Festive Holiday Road Trips To Take in December
From Oregon to North Carolina, these road trips offer more than their fair share of holiday cheer.
How the Civil War Inspired 'I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day'
When Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the poem that inspired the holiday tune, he definitely had the horrors of the Civil War on his mind.
The Surprising Link Between Home Alone and Straw Dogs
Both star home vigilantes, but only one of them builds up a body count.
See How to Grow Snowflakes Inside a Soda Bottle
It's never too warm to see snow on Christmas.
The Plugin That Keeps the Internet From Spoiling Santa Claus
Believers: Click at your own risk.
13 Tips for Wrapping the Perfect Present From An Expert
Put the present in presentation with these tips on how to perfectly wrap your gifts.