- From 1659 to 1681, celebrating Christmas was banned in Boston. The Puritans considered it too decadent and thought it was a day for quiet prayer. Anyone caught celebrating was fined.
- Clearly that idea didn’t stick… today, Americans spend more than $1 trillion on holiday shopping each year. This is more than the GDP of 160 countries, including nations like Finland and New Zealand.
- You may know about Krampus by now, but did you know in Germany, Santa has a raggedy, disheveled companion named Belsnickel (at right)? In parts of Germany and Pennsylvania Dutch communities, he accompanies Santa and spied on children to see if they’ve been naughty or nice. He carries a switch and hands out punishment if kids have misbehaved.
- The idea that the “J” shape of a candy cane represents Jesus is more a modern interpretation than a historical fact. Candy canes as we know them were created in the late 17th century in Germany, where they were first used to help children sit quietly during long nativity services. Originally, the cane shape was likely intended to resemble a shepherd’s crook, symbolizing the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus in Christian tradition.
- Hanukkah follows the Hebrew lunar calendar, so the dates shift each year on the Gregorian calendar. In 2013, it overlapped with Thanksgiving, creating “Thanksgivukkah,” a holiday mash-up that will happen again in 2165 and, it’s said, not again after that for a few thousand years!
- Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but is a uniquely American celebration created in 1966 as a cultural observance by Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African-American heritage and community. It’s based on seven principles including unity, creativity, and faith.
- New Year’s resolutions date back to ancient Babylon. About 4,000 years ago, Babylonians made promises to their gods to start the year on the right foot, including returning borrowed items and paying off debts.