Learn about Christmas traditions and customs
Although Christmas traditions begin in many different ways, they all have a few things in common: They bring people together, they mark the holiday as a special time and they’re fun. Whether you take part in the usual traditions of the holidays, or you make up your own, we hope you and the ones you love truly enjoy the season.
Here’s the history behind a few of our favorite Christmas customs.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.
Leaving milk and cookies out for Santa
It makes sense to do this, of course. The guy travels all around the whole world on Christmas Eve, and that can really work up an appetite. But who first came up with the idea?
Long ago in western Germany, people decorated Christmas trees with apples, other fruits and cookies. Sometimes, after Santa visited, children would notice that he had eaten a cookie or two off the tree! Families realized that St. Nick got hungry on his journeys. They began leaving cookies out on a plate, along with milk to wash it down.
Not everyone leaves out milk and cookies. The English often treat him to a glass of sherry and a slice of mince pie. In Ireland, they often replace the sherry with a pint of Guinness. When Santa visits homes in Denmark, he sometimes finds a bowl of a special rice pudding waiting for him, and in Chile, he might get a slice of Pan de Pascua, a fruitcake made with nuts, spices and rum. It all sounds pretty delicious to us! Many families also leave carrots for the reindeer.
Hanging wreaths and garlands
Evergreen trees symbolized immortality and victory in many ancient cultures—Egyptian, Chinese, European, Greek and Roman. As part of Saturnalia, a festival that occurred at the winter solstice, Romans hung evergreen boughs and garlands to remind themselves that spring always triumphs over the cold. Many Christians adopted the practice for their celebrations of Christmas, decking their halls with boughs of holly, laurel and pine.
Christmas caroling
This is a less popular holiday activity than it used to be, but we hope it never goes away completely. After all, it has a long history.
The first carols were written and sung in Europe during the Renaissance era, but they had their roots in much older Christian hymns sung in Latin. Singing at people’s doors began as the English tradition of wassailing, when the wealthy would give money or treats to bands of visiting singers who wished them good fortune. Sometimes the singers could be demanding. You may have noticed this in the song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” in which the singers refuse to go away until they get some figgy pudding.
Wassailing wasn’t limited to the holiday season at first. However, in the 19th century, Christmas songs and the practice of door-to-door singing came together to create the tradition of caroling we know today.
Sending holiday cards
No matter what you may have heard, Hallmark didn’t invent this tradition! In the 1840s, England had a new post office system. Previously, only the rich could afford to send mail, but now, it was in everyone’s price range. A man named Sir Henry Cole thought this was pretty great and wanted to get the middle class to take advantage of it.
He got his artist friend to make a Christmas card that people could buy and send to their friends. The tradition caught on, and by the turn of the century, the practice had spread all over Europe and into the United States.
(While we didn’t invent the holiday card-sending custom, we offer a great selection of Christmas cards plus helpful tips to help you write a truly meaningful Christmas wish.)
Making gingerbread houses
In the 1600s and 1700s, professional gingerbread bakers in Europe were already making very fancy treats from wooden molds, decorating them with icing or even gold leaf. When German bakers started making gingerbread houses in the early 1800s, they were actually inspired by the evil witch’s tempting house in the fairy tale “Hansel and Gretel.”
As Grimm as that sounds, the creations became especially popular at the holiday season. Gingerbread-house making was too fun to leave to the professionals, and it soon became a popular family activity at the holidays.
Want to make your own? Check out our gingerbread house recipe, patterns and instructions.
Shop Christmas
See allYou may also like
See more-
Christmas Bring home the jolliest beagle this season
If you had any doubt, Peanuts® Snoopy is definitely Team Santa. Watch him dance, giggle and howl to a jazzy version o...
-
Christmas Stocking stuffer ideas for literally everyone on your list
The stocking stuffer struggle is real. By the time you’ve bought your main presents, you feel like you’re all out of ...
-
Christmas Christmas care package ideas to make a present personal
We all know someone who could use a little extra care at Christmas: maybe it’s a friend going through a tough time or...
-
Card Ideas Birthday wishes for friends: What to write in a friend's birthday card
Our friends are like the family we choose—they answer our texts, give us Netflix and skincare recommendations, and ho...
-
Halloween Halloween wishes: What to write in a Halloween card
Halloween is a high-fun, low-pressure holiday—and a great opportunity to connect. For the kids in your life, getting ...
-
Gift Wrapping 3 Christmas gift wrap ideas to match your holiday personality
If you’re anything like me, the holiday season can make you tap into different sides of yourself. Maybe you become th...
-
Christmas This way to the North Pole: 50+ Kids Bedroom Christmas Decoration Ideas
Kids LOVE getting to express themselves—especially when it comes to their rooms. And when it comes to Christmas-lovin...
-
Christmas We love October!
Why? Because it’s Keepsake Ornament Debut time, and that means Christmas is just around the corner! Join us October 1...
-
Christmas Put on a show with this very merry microphone
Have a jolly good time throughout the holidays with this Merry-Okee microphone. This holiday-themed karaoke microphon...
-
Anniversary 23rd wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Silver-plate
-
Wedding Dearly beloved: Personalized wedding memorial ideas to make your day even more special
You’ve finally found the person you want to move through life with—your one. As the two of you start planning your we...
-
Anniversary 22nd wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Copper
-
Anniversary 21st wedding anniversary gift ideas
Traditional: Brass ...
-
Calendar Flip Hey, Pumpkin! October 2024 Holidays and Observances
Get info, ideas and inspiration for October holidays and observances, including free sharable quotes and digital wall...
-
St. Patrick's Day What is St. Patrick’s Day?: A peek into its history and finding fun ways to celebrate
I’m Irish. I won’t ask you to kiss me, but I am. Irish-American, an O’Connor on my mom’s side with roots traced back ...
-
Pets DIY Gifts for Pets: 40+ ways to celebrate your favorite critters
When it comes to showing our pets just how much we love them, we don’t mind going all out. After all, our beloved bes...
-
Christmas These Happy Tappers will steal the show this season
No matter how you arrange them, our Holiday Happy Tappers get in festive formation. 🎅 You'll get such a kick out of w...
-
Dr. Seuss™ The Grinch is headed your way for the holidays!
The Dr. Seuss™ The Grinch Sledding Plush rockets its way into your holidays playing a spirited version of “You’re A M...
-
Christmas How to create a Christmas room: Ideas for making your home an immersive Christmas experience
During the holidays, immersive experiences like themed bars, light walks and Instagram photo pop-ups are everywhere. ...
-
Christmas KOC-Exclusive Weekend at the Hallmark Christmas Experience
Join us for a special KOC-only weekend at the Hallmark Christmas Experience on December 5-7! Attend behind-the-scenes...