Christmas is a time for family, friends, and loved ones. There are many traditions and different ways that different cultures spend Christmas around the world. We’re going to look at 10 different ways to spend the Christmas holidays wherever you are but first here are 15 shocking facts about Christmas you didn’t know.
Top 15 Fun Facts about Christmas
Christmas is a time for joy, love, and happiness. But how much do you know about the holiday? Here are 15 fun facts about Christmas that will make your day a little brighter.
1) The word “Christmas” is derived from the Old English word “Cristes Maesse” which means “Mass of Christ”.
2) Christmas trees are believed to have originated in Germany.
3) The first mention of a Christmas tree was during the 16th century in Strasbourg, France.
4) It is estimated that 80% of Americans celebrate Christmas.
5) The tallest living Christmas tree on record was in 2011 and it was almost 115 feet tall!
6) There are over 100 million real or artificial Christmas trees sold every year in America alone!
7) Christmas Day is on the 25th and is generally considered the first day of Christmas.
8) The song “Deck the Halls” was written by Isaac Watts in 1719 and it is still sung today.
9) A turkey makes an appearance on the Christmas dinner table more than 3 billion times every year.
10) Christmas is celebrated in all 50 states in America.
11) The first tree decorated was by Mrs. O’Leary’s cow and she hung her old boots on it to make it look more real!
12) The first-ever recorded Christmas poem was written by Jacopo Della Qu ercia in 14th century Italy.
13) Christmas trees are said to have originated from the ancient Roman custom of decorating evergreen trees with wreaths, ribbons, and fruits.
14) In 1957, a new tradition began where families would celebrate Christmas by opening their gifts on Christmas Eve.
15) There are more than 2,000 different types of Christmas-related decorations
10 Ways To Celebrate Christmas Holidays This Year
Here are 10 ways to make the most of the Christmas holidays season:
1. Get together with friends and family
One of the best things about the Christmas holidays is getting together with friends and family.
Whether you’re celebrating at home or going to someone else’s place, it’s an excellent opportunity to catch up and spend some time together.
There are usually plenty of laughs and good times had by all!
December is a busy month, so it’s nice to take a break from work and relax during the holidays.
You can enjoy Christmas carols, festive food, gift-giving, and all sorts of other seasonal activities.
It’s also a time when people often reflect on the past year and look forward to the new one.
Whatever your plans are for the Christmas holidays, make sure you take the time to enjoy them.
Spend some quality time with the people you care about and have a Merry Christmas.
2. Give back to your community
Christmas is a time for giving back to your community.
There are many ways to do this, from volunteering at a homeless shelter to writing letters to soldiers overseas.
Here are some ideas for how you can help make your community a better place this Christmas:
Volunteer your time.
Many organizations need volunteers during the Christmas season.
You can volunteer to work at a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, or even with Santas Anonymous.
Donate money or items.
There are always people who need help during the Christmas season.
You can donate money or items to a local charity or sponsor a needy family.
Write letters to soldiers overseas.
The holidays can be challenging for soldiers who are away from home.
You can make their day by writing them a letter telling them how much you appreciate their service.
Spread cheer.
Christmas holidays are all about spreading cheer and happiness.
You can do this by singing carols in your neighborhood or making decorations that make people smile.
There are many ways to celebrate Christmas and give back to your community.
These are just a few ideas to get you started.
3. Decorate your home
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and loved ones.
It’s a time to come together and celebrate. And what better way to celebrate than by decorating your home?
There are so many different ways you can decorate your home for Christmas.
You can go all out with lights and decorations, or you can keep it simple with a few key pieces.
Either way, your home will look festive and inviting.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Put up a Christmas tree.
This is the classic Christmas decoration.
If you don’t have a real tree, you can also get an artificial one.
Just make sure it’s sturdy and won’t fall over!
2. Hang up some stockings.
This is a fun way to personalize your Christmas decorations.
You can get stockings in all sorts of colors and styles.
3. String up some lights.
Lights are essential for any Christmas decoration scheme.
You can go simple with just a few strands, or you can go all out with an elaborate light display.
4. Add some greenery.
Garlands and wreaths are a great way to add color and life to your decor.
5. Place an Advent calendar somewhere visible.
This is a great way to count down the days until Christmas.
These are just a few ideas to get you started.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating your home for Christmas.
Just have fun with it and let your creativity shine through.
4. Make holiday-themed treats
Christmas is a time for celebration and enjoying the company of family and friends.
One way to add an extra touch of festivity to the holiday season is by making special treats.
Here are some recipes for Christmas-themed goodies that are sure to please everyone.
Gingerbread cookies: these cookies are a classic Christmas treat.
The recipe is simple – all you need is flour, sugar, molasses, ginger, baking soda, and salt.
Combine the dry ingredients in one bowl, then stir in the wet ingredients until the dough is smooth.
Chill the dough for 30 minutes, roll it out on a floured surface and cut it into shapes with cookie cutters.
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes until the cookies are golden brown.
Candy cane cookies: these festive cookies are perfect for the holiday season.
To make them, start by mixing flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in eggs and vanilla extract, then slowly add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients until everything is well combined.
Fold in chopped red and white candy canes.
Drop dough by the spoonful onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes.
Christmas tree sugar cookies: these cookies are sure to be a hit with the kids.
Start by mixing together flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
In a separate bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in eggs and vanilla extract, then slowly add the dry ingredients to wet ingredients until everything is well combined.
Divide the dough into three parts, green, red, and one that’s uncolored.
To make the green dough, add food coloring or mint extract until you reach the desired color.
For the red dough, add food coloring or strawberry extract until you reach the desired color.
Roll each piece of dough into a log, then press them together to form a long strip.
Cut the strip into 1-inch pieces, then form each piece into a tree shape on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
These are just a few of the many delicious recipes you can make to celebrate Christmas.
With these recipes, your holiday party is sure to be a success!
5. Go caroling
Christmas is a time to celebrate with family and friends.
One of the best ways to do that is by going caroling.
Caroling is when you sing Christmas songs door to door.
It’s a great way to spread holiday cheer.
You can also go caroling at a nursing home or hospital.
This will brighten someone’s day who may not be able to be with their loved ones.
To start caroling, put together a group of friends or family members.
Then choose some of your favorite Christmas songs.
You can find lyrics online or in songbooks.
Once you have your repertoire, practice singing the songs together before heading out.
When you’re ready, head out into your neighborhood or to a nearby nursing home or hospital.
If you’re feeling really festive, you can dress up in Christmas costumes.
This will add to the holiday spirit.
You can also bring along some treats, like cookies or candy, to give out to people as you sing.
Caroling is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
It’s a fun activity that everyone can enjoy. So grab your friends and family and go caroling this year.
6. Attend a holiday concert or play
If you’re looking for a festive way to celebrate the Christmas holidays, why not attend a holiday concert or play?
There’s nothing quite like listening to seasonal music and watching festive performances to get you into the holiday spirit.
And what’s more, many holiday concerts and plays are free or low-cost, making them an excellent option for budget-conscious holiday revelers.
Search online or check your local event listings to find a holiday concert or play in your area.
Many churches and community centers offer holiday concerts and play on Christmas time, so be sure to check those venues as well.
You can also ask family and friends if they know of any upcoming holiday events you might be interested in attending.
No matter what holiday concert or play you end up attending, you’re sure to have a festive and memorable time.
So get out there and enjoy the holiday season.
7. Take a holiday lights tour
Christmas is a time for family, friends, and loved ones.
It’s also a time to get out and enjoy the holiday lights.
Here are some tips for making the most of your holiday light tour.
1. Plan your route.
Decide which neighborhoods you want to visit and map out your route.
This will help you make the most of your time and see the best holiday lights displays.
2. Dress for the weather.
It’s essential to dress modestly when you’re going out to see the holiday lights.
Make sure you have a coat, hat, and gloves to keep you comfortable during your tour.
3. Bring along snacks and drinks.
Seeing all of those holiday lights can be thirsty work.
Make sure you have plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you going during your tour.
4. Bring a camera.
You’ll want to remember all of the fantastic holiday lights displays you see, so make sure you bring along a camera.
5. Have fun.
Seeing the holiday lights is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
Enjoy yourself and take in all the festive sights and sounds of the season.
8. Shop local
Christmas is a time for giving, spending time with family and friends, enjoying good food, and of course, exchanging gifts.
This year, why not shop locally?
So many great local businesses would love to help you celebrate Christmas.
They offer unique gifts, delicious food, and festive decorations.
Shopping local is the perfect way to support your community and show your loved ones how much you care.
Here are just a few of the many great local businesses that can help you celebrate Christmas:
1. Local artisans make unique gifts that are perfect for Christmas.
Check out your local art gallery or shop for beautiful paintings, hand-crafted jewelry, and one-of-a-kind pottery.
2. A local food market is perfect for finding Christmas dinner ingredients.
You’ll find everything you need for a festive feast, from fresh turkey to homemade pies.
9. Donate to a toy drive
Christmas is a time for giving and spending time with family.
One great way to do both things is to donate to a toy drive.
Many organizations collect new, unwrapped toys during the holiday season to give to needy children.
You can donate any toy, so there’s something for everyone to give.
There are many different ways to donate to a toy drive.
You can drop off donations at a local collection center, or you can mail them in.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can even organize your toy drive.
All you need is a few boxes and some flyers announcing your drive.
Donating to a toy drive is a great way to make Christmas memorable for a child who might not otherwise have anything to celebrate.
It’s also a way to show your support for your community.
So why not donate to a toy drive this year? It’s sure to put a smile on a child’s face.
10. Spend some time outdoors
Christmas holidays are a time of year when many people spend time indoors, celebrating with family and friends.
However, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Christmas season outdoors.
Here are a few ideas to get you started.
One great way to celebrate Christmas outdoors is to go for a walk or hike in a nearby park or forest.
This is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air while enjoying the beauty of nature.
If you live in an area with snow, you can even go for a snowball fight or build a snowman.
Just be sure to dress warmly.
Another fun outdoor activity is to go ice skating.
This is an excellent activity for all ages.
Everyone in the family can enjoy this game.
If you don’t have an ice rink nearby, you can even create your mini-rink in your backyard.
All you need is a flat surface, such as a driveway, and some water.
Just be sure to wear gloves and hats to keep warm.
If you’re looking for a more low-key activity, you can always spend time outside enjoying the fresh air.
This is a great way to relax and unwind after a busy day of Christmas shopping or preparing holiday meals.
Just wrap up in a blanket and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature.
Whether you choose to celebrate the Christmas season, getting outdoors is a great way to enjoy this particular time of year.
So get out there and have some fun.
Conclusion
The Christmas season is a time for celebration with family and friends, and there are many fun ways to enjoy the holidays.
From decorating your home to taking a holiday lights tour, there are plenty of activities to get into the spirit of the season.
Which of these facts about Christmas did you know already? Which one shocked you the most? Let me know in the comments below!
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