Christmas Decorations

As soon as the plates from the Thanksgiving dinner table have been cleared, many people start thinking about Christmas and begin putting up their Christmas decorations. While some people only hang stockings on the mantle, others decorate huge Christmas trees, hang Christmas lights on the outside of their houses and put mistletoe and festive wreaths throughout their homes.   Whether you decorate a tree or... Read more >

Christmas Food

While Christmas means presents andcaroling for some people, for others, Christmas is a time to get together with friends and family and eat wonderful Christmas food and drink festive Christmas drinks.   Let's face it: Few of us diet during the Christmas holiday. Who can resist all the sugar-coated Christmas cookies, the traditional turkey and dressing at Christmas dinner and the creamy cups of hot chocolate... Read more >

Christmas Gifts

Right or wrong, the best part about Christmas for many people is the gifts! Both children and adults enjoy seeing Christmas gifts pile up under the Christmas tree and can't wait to open gifts on Christmas morning.   While receiving gifts is fun, giving Christmas gifts is even better. However, many people get stressed by Christmas shopping and searching endlessly for the perfect Christmas... Read more >

Christmas Traditions

Christmas traditions abound, making the holiday a special and festive time for many.Without the Christmas tree, mistletoe, caroling and Christmas cards, Christmas just wouldn't seem right for many people. While some Christmas traditions are relatively recent, some date back thousands of years.   For example, did you know that the tradition of hanging mistletoe during the holidays is rooted in pagan... Read more >

Cultural Christmas Icons

When you think of Christmas, you probably think of brightly lit Christmas trees, jolly Santa Claus, beautifully wrapped gifts and friends and family. However, did you know that different cultures celebrate Christmas in different ways and have their own distinct Christmas cultural icons?   In the United States, many people celebrate Christmas by decorating a Christmas tree, hanging lights on their houses and... Read more >

Christmas Icons Around the World

While many people in North America recognize Santa Claus as their Christmas gift-giver, people in other countries around the world may recognize completely different Christmas gift-givers.   While some people in other countries recognize a variation of Santa Claus, other countries recognize entirely different icons and celebrate Christmas in different ways than people in the United... Read more >

Yuletide Traditions

Yuletide traditions include Christmas caroling, wassailing, the Yule Log and more. While many people are aware of these traditions, very few know how they originated. Almost all of these traditions are rooted in European customs and can be traced back to historical celebrations. The Origin of the Word "Yule" Some researchers believe the word "yule" comes from the Norse term "jol," which originally... Read more >

Heart Healthy Christmas

These days, more and more people are trying to eat a heart-healthy diet. However, trying to host a heart-healthy Christmas can be quite a challenge.After all, many of the traditional holiday foods are loaded with butter, sugar and oil. However, Christmas food doesn't have to be unhealthy. By tweaking your regular recipes and substituting certain ingredients for others, you can make heart-healthy Christmas cookies... Read more >