How much do you know about Christmas? Today we’re talking about the history behind some of our favorite traditions. Did you know any of these pieces of Christmas trivia?
Santa Claus
Early versions of Santa Claus pictured him as a stern, commanding disciplinarian holding a birch rod. The jolly old man we know today was created by an artist for a Coca-Cola ad in 1931.
If you want to learn more, check out this article.
Christmas Greenery
Long before there were Christmas trees, pagans revered evergreens as symbols of eternal life and rebirth.
Mistletoe was held sacred by the Norse, the Celtic Druids, and Native Americans, because it remains green and bears fruit during the winter when other plants seem to die. Druids thought the plant had the power to cure infertility and nervous diseases, and to ward off evil.
Fake Trees
Germans made the very first artificial Christmas trees by using dyed goose feathers to look like needles of a pine tree.
Candy Canes
The candy canes originated in Europe around 1670. But, they didn’t appear in the U.S. until the 1800s.
They were generally all white until the 1900s, when they took on a shape representing Jesus’ hook for shepherding his lambs and colors representing purity (white) and Christ’s sacrifice (red).
The General Grant Tree
The General Grant Tree in California’s King’s Canyon National Park was proclaimed “the Nation’s Christmas Tree” by U.S Coolidge in 1926. The giant sequoia is over 300 feet tall and estimated to be over 1,600 years old. Which makes it the third largest tree in the world.
The White House Tree
Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the U.S., became the first President to put a Christmas tree in the White House.
Tree Ornaments
Round glass Christmas ornaments were inspired by the shape of apples. Apples were the original Christmas ornaments, put on the tree to symbolize the Garden of Eden.
Advent Wreaths
The Advent wreath began in Germany as a Lutheran tradition, but eventually spread to other Christian denominations, including the Catholic and Episcopalian Churches.
Nova Scotia
The Canadian province of Nova Scotia leads the world in exporting three things: lobster, wild blueberries, and Christmas trees.
How many of these Christmas trivia facts did you know? Which one is your favorite? Leave your answer in the comments below!
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