HOLIDAYS

Untangling lights is practically its own holiday tradition.

From Thomas Edison to LEDs: A Brief History of Christmas Tree Lights

The history of how these mass-produced novelty lights became a holiday fixture is a distinctly American Christmas tale.

This strawberry pâte de fruit will be a hit with people of all ages.

Brighten Up Your Holidays With Homemade Strawberry Gumdrops

Strawberry pâte de fruit are the fanciest gumdrops you’ll ever taste.

10 Surprising Facts About Wham!’s “Last Christmas”

Over the course of his illustrious career, George Michael gave the world many gifts. One that keeps on giving is “Last Christmas,” the 1984 holiday classic by Wham!, Michael's pop duo with Andrew Ridgeley.

A bonfire is a common way to celebrate the season.

10 Ancient and Contemporary Yule Traditions

For millennia, people have celebrated the longest night of the year with these Yule traditions.

Watch Queen Elizabeth II Deliver the First Televised Christmas Broadcast

The transition from radio to a televised broadcast marked a new era for the monarchy.

You still have time—but you shouldn't put it off.

When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

Sending Christmas cards out to the family might be a big part of your holiday planning, but when is the best time to actually do it?

8 of the Biggest Holiday Gift Fads From the ‘90s and ‘00s

Holiday toy crazes come and go, but some retro toys like Tickle Me Elmo and the Talkboy are as iconic today as they were 30-odd years ago.

8 Fascinating But Not-So-Jolly Legends About St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different.

A Brief History of Eggnog

Eggnog started out as a fancy English drink called posset and made its way into American holiday celebrations.

9 Facts About Krampus, St. Nick’s Demonic Companion

St. Nick brings the gifts. Krampus brings the pain. Here are some things you might not have known about Santa’s demonic companion.

Elf vs. Gnome: What's the Difference?

These two tiny titans of folklore might appear similar, but they couldn't be more different.

22 Fun Facts About ‘Elf’

Discover more fun facts about the Will Ferrell Christmas movie that has since become a holiday classic.

It comes down to the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

The Reindeer Rule: Why You’ll See Rudolph in Public Christmas Displays

The Supreme Court ruled that government entities can’t display nativity scenes on public property without including symbols of other faiths, but that hasn’t stopped some towns from trying.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig looks incredibly similar to Krampus, pictured here.

Meet Crom Dubh na Nollaig, Scotland’s ‘Dark Crooked One of Christmas’

Scotland‘s Crom Dubh na Nollaig is a Christmas monster who scares children into behaving well.

Kiss your pets under some artificial mistletoe.

7 Holiday Plants That Are Toxic to Pets

Traditional Christmas plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe can be dangerous for pets.

Where the World Wants to Travel for Christmas This Year, Mapped

The analysis used data from search and social media posts to determine where people around the world wanted to go for Christmas—and dug deeper to provide American data state by state.

A giant Santa statue in North Pole, Alaska.

14 U.S. Towns With Christmassy Names

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.

A group of reindeer walk up a snowy riverbank.

11 Things You Might Not Know About Reindeer

Beyond their sled-pulling capabilities and discrimination against those with red noses, what do you really know about reindeer?

Why Do Christmas Crackers Come With Paper Crowns?

Let’s crack the history wide open.

The Ultimate Christmas Trivia List

Dazzle your holiday party guests with these facts about Christmas movies, music, traditions, and more.

Christmas trees are an essential part of the holiday.

How Did Evergreen Trees Become a Christmas Symbol?

Discover the origins of the Christmas tree tradition that brings joy to millions each season.

Peter Billingsley in A Christmas Story (1983).

12 Festive Facts About ‘A Christmas Story’

The holiday classic—which could have starred Jack Nicholson as The Old Man Parker—has cemented its legacy as a Christmas classic.

Eggnog is an old-fashioned holiday classic.

9 Olde-Timey Holiday Drinks to Whip Up This Winter

From traditional eggnog to boozy apple toddies, these old-fashioned holiday bevvies from vintage cookbooks will warm you up on winter days.

Said the little lamb to the shepherd boy ...

Talk is Sheep: Behind the Christmas Eve Myth That Animals Speak at Midnight

The Christmas legend that animals gain the power of speech on Christmas Eve has roots all the way back in the manger.

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