The fascinating history behind 16 common Christmas traditions

Madeline Diamond,Max KalnitzDec 15, 2020, 22:54 IST

Santa Claus at the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.Andrew Burton/ Getty

Christmas is a holiday full of traditions.
From using an advent calendar to eating fruitcake, these traditions have origins all over the world.
Many of today's most popular Christmas traditions date back to ancient times.

From counting down the days of December with an advent calendar to decking out a tree in decorations and lights, Christmas is a holiday that's full of traditions.

While Christmas means something different for everyone who celebrates, many classic holiday traditions are shared all over the world. Since many traditions date all the way back to ancient times, Christmas today wouldn't be the same without the history that made the holiday what it is.

Keep reading for the origins of 16 common Christmas traditions.

Hanging stockings was popularized by a beloved Christmas poem.

Christmas stockings hanging by the fire. Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

The tradition of sending Christmas cards began in England.

A selection of Christmas cards. AP Photo/Pat Wellenbach

The tradition of decorating a Christmas tree can be traced back to Germany and the UK.

A decorated Christmas tree. Education Images/Getty Images

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe comes from Celtic legend.

Mistletoe. Oleksandr Rybitskiy/Shutterstock

Eating fruitcake for special occasions dates back to the 18th century.

Fruitcake. Shutterstock

Going caroling has roots in Medieval times.

Carolers. REUTERS/Darren Staples

Hiding a pickle in the Christmas tree is reportedly a German tradition originally.

A Christmas pickle hangs next to other ornaments. William In Prague/Shutterstock

Decorating Christmas cookies is a tradition related to ancient winter solstice celebrations.

Christmas cookies. Alex Wong/Getty

Modern advent calendars are based on the Christian practice of advent leading up the Christmas.

A DIY advent calendar. phBodrova/Shutterstock

Department store holiday windows are one of New York's most quintessential Christmas traditions.

Macy's holiday windows. Mario Tama/Getty

The Elf on the Shelf started in the 1970s as a Georgia family's tradition.

Elf on the Shelf is so popular there's a balloon of the character in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. James Devaney/Getty Images

The tradition of giving children presents on Christmas in the US dates back to the early 1800s.

Presents under the Christmas tree. Medios y Media/Getty Images

The first reenactment of the nativity scene was in the 13th century.

A dress rehearsal for the Wintershall Estate's 2019 nativity play in Bramley, Surrey. Aaron Chown - PA Images/Getty Images

The Christmas cracker is a Victorian-era tradition celebrated in the UK.

A Christmas cracker. Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock

The Christmas Yule log cake is believed to have been enjoyed since the European Iron Age.

A Yule log cake. etorres/Shutterstock

Waiting for Santa Claus to deliver presents is a tradition that varies all over the world.

Santa Claus. Andrew Burton/ Getty

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