Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays around the world, but did you know it all started with something called Christ’s Mass? Yep, that’s where the name “Christmas” comes from—a church service held to honor the birth of Jesus Christ. Over time, what started as a simple, sacred event turned into the holiday we know today, filled with lights, trees, gifts, and all the festive vibes.

Where Did Christmas Come From?

So, let’s rewind a bit. In the early days of Christianity, people didn’t really know when Jesus was born. But by the 4th century, the Church decided to celebrate it on December 25. Why that date? Well, it lined up with some big Roman festivals, like Saturnalia and Sol Invictus, which celebrated the winter solstice. The idea was to give new Christians something familiar while focusing on the story of Jesus’ birth.

Back then, Christmas was a pretty low-key event. People went to church, listened to readings about baby Jesus, and took part in the Eucharist (a religious ceremony). It was all about faith and reflection—no trees, no presents, and definitely no Santa.

How Traditions Got Added In

As Christianity spread, people started adding their own local traditions, and that’s when Christmas got more festive. For example, the idea of bringing evergreen trees into the home came from Germanic traditions, where they symbolized life during the dead of winter.

And what’s Christmas without gifts? That tradition likely started with the story of the Three Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. But gift-giving was also a thing during Saturnalia, so it probably came from both sources. Over time, it became a big part of Christmas celebrations—because who doesn’t love presents?

When Christmas Got Big

Fast forward to the 1800s, and Christmas started to look a lot more like the holiday we know today. Charles Dickens, for one, helped make it a season about family and generosity with his story A Christmas Carol. (Thanks, Dickens, for giving us the phrase “Bah humbug!”)

Then there’s Santa Claus, who started out as Saint Nicholas, a real-life bishop known for helping the poor. Over the years, he turned into the jolly, red-suited guy we see everywhere now. Add in twinkling lights, Christmas carols, and feasts, and suddenly Christmas wasn’t just a religious holiday—it was something everyone could enjoy, no matter their background.

What Christmas Means Today

Even with all the modern traditions, the heart of Christmas hasn’t changed much. For Christians, it’s still about celebrating Jesus’ birth and what that represents—hope, love, and salvation. For others, it’s a time to focus on family, giving, and kindness.

Whether you’re going to church, decorating a tree, or binge-watching holiday movies, Christmas is all about coming together and sharing joy. It’s a season that reminds us to spread a little love and cheer—something we could all use more of.

Why It Sticks Around

Christmas may have started as a simple church service, but it’s grown into something much bigger. And that’s part of what makes it so special—it’s a mix of traditions, both old and new, that bring people together every December. Whether it’s about faith, family, or just good food and fun, Christmas has a little something for everyone. And that’s why it keeps shining bright, year after year.

Santa Claus has been around for a long time, but there wasn’t a consistent image of what he looked like.At times, he was depicted as a tall, skinny man, and other drawings made him look likea scary elf. During the Civil War, Santa was shown as a supporter of the Union Army.

Then, in the 1930s, Coca-Cola decided that it needed help to boost winter sales of the soft drink. Coke was known as a summer beverage, and sales plummeted during the winter months.

The bottler had to go all the way to the North Pole to find the one person who could bolster cola sales in winter. Since there wasn’t a universally accepted image of Santa, Coca-Cola was free to make Kris Kringle look any way it wanted.

They hired Haddon Sundblom, a talented commercial artist in the 1930s to transform Santa Claus into the modern image we all know and love today.

Haddon Sundblom was a talented commercial artist who created the jolly fat man for Coca-Cola in 1931. who was hired by Coca-Cola in 1931. The inspiration for Santa came from Clement Clark Moore’s 1822 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas.” The illustration debuted in The Saturday Evening Post soon after.

For Coca-Cola, the new Santa campaign was a huge success. So, from 1931 to 1964, Sundblom created all of Coca-Cola’s Santa Claus advertisements.

Every Christmas Eve for the past 65 years, Swedish families have stopped everything to celebrate with a Christmas duck. That duck is none other than Donald Duck, starring in a Disney TV special known in the US as “From All of Us to All of You,” but known in every Swedish home as Kalle Anka och hans vänner önskar God Jul (which translates to Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas). The special made its debut in Sweden at 3 p.m. on December 24, 1959, and has aired to huge ratings every Christmas Eve since.

How did Kalle Anka become so popular? When the show first aired, only two TV channels were available in Sweden, giving it an audience of half of all television viewers. Subsequent Christmas Eve broadcasts continued to draw a massive following with an average of 40% of Swedes tuning in, and in 1997 more than half the population watched.

Swedes are also focused on this tradition. In 2016, cellphone usage dropped by 28% while the show was on.

We are divided throughout the holidays between those who love Christmas music and those who are a little less jolly when it comes to the music of the season. It’s not just the use of bells jingling in every other song, it’s also the lyrics that include phases that we never use any other time of year. So here is our guide to decoding the lyrics.

Bobtails

“Bells on bobtails ring, making spirits bright” is a line many sing without knowing what a bobtail is. A bobtail is a short tail of an animal, usually a horse or dog. When riding in that “one-horse open sleigh,” the horse has a shortened bobtail decorated with bells.

Figgy Pudding

The song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” includes the lyric, “Oh, bring us some figgy pudding.” In England 800 years ago in England, figgy pudding was a dish made with beef, mutton, raisins, prunes, wine, and spices.

Hark

Ever since it was written in 1739, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” has been one of the most popular Christmas Carols. “Hark” is from the Old English verb “hearken,” which means “listen.”

Yuletide

In the song “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” the line “Make the Yuletide gay” essentially means “to make the Christmas season cheerful.” The word “Yule” itself is an Old English word that refers to Christmas Day. Instead of just referring to Christmas Day, now yule refers to the holiday season.

And finally, there’s “TATER TOTS WITH THEIR EYES ALL AGLOW…”

Santa Claus, Indiana, is a small town with a unique name and a fascinating history rooted in holiday cheer and community spirit. Located in Spencer County, this town has become a destination for Christmas enthusiasts worldwide. As the holiday season draws near, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the warmth and wonder that this festive community inspires.

Early Settlement and Naming

Santa Claus, Indiana, was first settled in the early 19th century by pioneers moving westward. The area was originally known as “Santa Fee.” However, when the town applied for a post office in 1856, the U.S. Postal Service informed residents that the name Santa Fee was already in use elsewhere. According to local legend, during a town meeting to select a new name, children heard sleigh bells, and someone suggested the name “Santa Claus.” The name was agreed upon, and the post office officially recognized it. Historian Mark Reynolds noted, “The name ‘Santa Claus’ reflects the whimsical and community-oriented spirit of the settlers, who wanted to embrace something joyful and unique.”

Growth and the Christmas Connection

For many years, Santa Claus remained a quiet farming community. However, the town’s unique name began to attract attention in the early 20th century. Children across the country started sending letters addressed to Santa Claus, Indiana, believing they were writing to the real Santa Claus. In 1914, postmaster James Martin began replying to these letters, establishing a tradition that continues today with the help of volunteers known as “Santa’s Elves.” Historian Susan Carter remarked, “This simple act of kindness by James Martin turned the town into a symbol of Christmas generosity and goodwill.”

Development of Tourism

In the 1930s, the town began to embrace its Christmas theme more fully. A local entrepreneur, Milton Harris, developed the first Santa Claus-themed attraction, Santa’s Candy Castle, which opened in 1935. The castle became the first themed attraction in the United States dedicated to Christmas, and it helped establish the town as a holiday destination. “Milton Harris had the vision to turn a small town into a magical place that celebrated the joy of Christmas year-round,” said cultural historian Linda Green.

Another significant development came in 1946 when industrialist Louis J. Koch opened Santa Claus Land, the world’s first theme park. The park featured rides, attractions, and live entertainment centered around the Christmas theme. Over the years, Santa Claus Land evolved into Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, a renowned amusement park that now includes areas dedicated to other holidays and a water park. “The creation of Santa Claus Land was a groundbreaking moment in the history of themed entertainment,” commented historian Robert Taylor.

Modern Santa Claus, Indiana

Today, Santa Claus, Indiana, continues to celebrate its Christmas heritage. The town is home to numerous attractions, including the Santa Claus Museum & Village, where visitors can learn about the town’s history and see the original post office. Other highlights include the giant Santa Claus statue, Frosty’s Fun Center, and Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort.

The town also hosts several holiday-themed events, such as the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration, which features parades, live music, and festive activities. Each year, thousands of letters from children around the world arrive in Santa Claus, Indiana, and volunteers ensure that each one receives a reply. “The tradition of answering these letters keeps the magic of Christmas alive for countless families,” noted historian Emma White.

Legacy

Santa Claus, Indiana, stands as a testament to the power of community and creativity. From its humble beginnings as a farming town to its status as a beloved holiday destination, Santa Claus has captured the imagination of people everywhere. As we celebrate the holiday season, it serves as a reminder of the enduring magic of Christmas—a spirit of generosity, joy, and togetherness that lives on year-round in this special place.