18 American Christmas traditions that we stole other countries

These Yulere traditions are staples in the United States, but they have international origins.


Whether it's milk and cookies for Santa or Low hanging over the fireplace, there are countless Christmas traditions that are an integral part of the celebrations of families in the United States. However, while some of theseTraditions may seem like American As apple pie, their original stories are anything but. Druid fertility practices with Roman rituals, keep reading to know which countries are responsible for your favorite Christmas traditions. And for fun trivia on your centerpiece room, check30 incredible facts of Christmas trees to make an additional magical vacation.

1
Leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus is rooted in Nordic mythology.

Cookies and milk on a table in front of a Christmas tree
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According to history.com, the legend is that theNorse God Odin Had an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir, who leaves treats for treats in the hope that Odin would promote them with gifts back. Tradition has gained popularity in America during the Great Depression, when parents have tried to make children understand the importance of being grateful for everything they could receive at Christmas. If you are looking to take your tree at the next level, check20 Christmas tree decoration tips genius, according to experts.

2
The first Christmas card was sent to England by the founder of a British museum.

Children making Christmas cards
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Although holiday greetings have been around for time immemorial, the first Christmas card was of British origin. According toVictoria & Albert Museum, The founding director of the institution,Henry Cole, Sent the first known Christmas card, which included a drawing of a family gathering and words "a merry Christmas and a good year to you" in 1843.

3
Set up and decorate Christmas trees started in Germany in the 16th century.

Young father and toddler son decorating Christmas tree
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While the use of trees in holiday celebrations is supposed to be a pagan tradition, more recognizable iterations of the Christmas tree of Germany and the dateas far as the 16th century. The modern Christmas tree, however, has been popularized in the United Kingdom in the 1840s when it was GermanPrince Albert displayed the first known British Christmas tree In the castle of Windsor. For more vacation trivia sent directly to your inbox,Sign up for our daily newsletter.

4
Christmas tree lights are a tradition of Germany dating back to the 17th century.

Close up on house decorated with white icicle lights
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WhileThomas EdisonCoworkerEdward Hibberd Johnson is credited as theInventor of Christmas lights connected to strands, the tradition ofIlluminating Christmas trees Comes from Germany, where she was practiced from the 17th century, according to the Library of Congress. However, the lights then went down much less sure that the LEDs we draw today - at the time, the celebrants simply attach candles to their trees and would enlighten them.

5
The legend says that Christmas stockings come from Turkey in the 4th century.

Woman putting gifts in Christmas stockings
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The legend associated at the bottom of Christmas is said to go back to the time ofSaint Nicolas During the 3rd and 4th centuries of what is now Turkey. According toSmithsonian magazine,Saint Nicholas has heard about the difficult situation a poor widower and three girls and wanted to help. It snuck at home, saw the recently washed little girls drying by fire and filled them with gold coins before going silently in the night. For late buyers there, here's23 last minute gifts that you can get on Amazon.

6
Christmas caroling is from Great Britain in the 13th century.

Parents, children, and grandfather singing carols for senior woman
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Although there is no clear answer as to when the first songs on the birth of Jesus have been written, the origin of the caroling that we know it goes back to Britain of the 13th century. At the time, instead of singing, Anglo-Saxons would go to door at the door who wanted their neighbors to be good health - or "Waes Hael" in Anglo-Saxon, according toAndy Thomas, author of the 2019 bookChristmas: a short story of Solstice in Santa.

7
Kissing under Getletoe during the holidays comes from the druids.

Man and woman kissing under the mistletoe
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Never obtainedSmooched under a mistletoe strand during the holidays? You have the druids to thank for that. According toRonald Hutton, Author of the book of 2009Blood and GUI: The History of Druids in Great BritainThe GUI was considered to be restoration properties for fertility for sterile animals - maybe the reason why the parasitic plant is associated with love and romance today. For customs that are obsolete, check15 strange Christmas traditions or forgotten person no longer does it.

8
Christmas crackers have been developed by a British candy manufacturer.

Red christmas cracker on table
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If you have already opened a Christmas cracker and you gave his crown paper for the holidays, you haveTom Smith thank for this tradition. The British candy manufacturer is credited to invent the modern Christmas Christmas cracker in 1847 when you try to design new packaging for some of his holiday candies.

9
The idea of ​​Santa Claus comes from Turkey.

Young girl sitting on Santa's lap
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While the Jolly, large sized version of Santa can be a relatively modern tradition, the story of St. Nicholas goes back to the 3rd century Turkey. The true Saint-Nicolas was a bishop born in what is now Turkey in 270 after JC and would have frequently made charitable acts for others, which earned him a widespread acclamation. However, according to theSaint Nicolas CenterIt is in the twentieth century that the modern Santa Claus has had its red suit and its sizable stomach. For more incredible songs from trivia over the season, check55 Fun Christmas facts to get you into mind.

10
Fruitcake is an original pasta from Western Europe.

Iced fruitcake
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According to an article by 2010 inSmithsonian magazine,Fruitcake goes back to the Middle AgesWhen imports of dried fruits in Western Europe from Asia have resulted in this sweet dense robber, which has become popular in multiple European nations during the same period. European immigrants brought the statteside tradition - and you will always see some of its European iterations, such as the German Stolen and Italian pan, in American stores around the holidays today.

11
The first calendar of the Advent was created in Germany.

Chocolate bear peeking out of advent calendar
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The oldest mention of a modern calendar of the Advent is observed in a children's book of 1851 children, according to theGerman Christmas Museum. However, the printed advent schedule is awarded toGerhard lang, which is credited with the creation of the first commercially available version of the Advent calendar - complete with doors and treatments - in its native Germany in 1908.

12
Pending a crown on your gateway stems from a Roman gift tradition.

Christmas wreath on black front door
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If you usually decorate your door with a crown in Christmastime, it's probably thanks to the Romans. According to an article by 1988 inThe New York Times,The Romans frequently give friends And the family members of the branches to celebrate the new year, these pieces of greenery possibly possibly attached to the crown as we know it today.

13
Gingerbread houses are another adopted holiday tradition from Germany.

Mother and son building gingerbread house together at kitchen table
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Like many Christmas traditions, the creation of gingerbread houses started in Germany. According to the 2015 bookThe companion of Oxford with sugar and sweets, gingerbread wasAlready a popular treatment in Germany In the Middle Ages, the city of Nuremberg becomes particularly famous for its gingerbread houses.

14
Cooking Christmas cookies have European origins.

Mom and two children baking Christmas cookies
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The idea of ​​Christmas cookie is European origin and probably much older than you could imagine. According to the 2008 bookEntertaining of ancient Rome at Super Bowl: an encyclopedia, gingerbread cookies and probable gingerbread housesbecame popular during the same period, with the old initially used more like Christmas tree decorations than treats.

15
The first Christmas market was founded in Germany in the 1400s.

Senior couple shopping at Christmas market
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If you have already bought ornaments or sicotes a hot cocoa in an outdoor Christmas market, who do you think you must thank? Once again, the answer is Germany. Although similar markets would have been common throughout the Holy Roman Empire, the first modern Christmas market is said to DresdenStrezeelMarkt, founded in 1434.

16
"Christmas sweaters" Hail of Canada.

Young woman in Christmas tree sweater and reindeer antlers
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For a more recent tendency than the Americans did not have the custom to wear Holiday-Holiday-Holiday-Holidays from Parese. ThroughThe Washington Post, "Ugly Christmas sweater"Parties have become popular in Vancouver, Canada at the beginning of this century. The United States also adopted the concept too, expanding it in the theme days, retailers specializing in the manufacture of clothing. strong holidays and evenFun human sweater works.

17
Germany also invented candy canes.

Candy canes and peppermint bark
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Whether you decorate with them, cook with them, or simply in picking them, you also have Germany to thank the candy canes.CARLY SCHILDHAUSof the National Confectioners Association told History.com that treatment would have been judgedinvented in 1670, "When the choser of the Cologne Cathedral in Germany distributed sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them silent during theLive crestCeremony. "Why the distinctive form?" In honor of the opportunity, he leans the candies in the crooks of the shepherds, "added Schildhaus.

18
The poinsettias have never been grown in Central America.

Poinsettia centerpiece on table with Christmas tree in the background
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Bright red flowers can be found in houses, businesses and altars of the church throughout the United States all season, but the poinsetties were not well known in America until Joel Roberts Poinsett -botanist and The first ambassador to Mexico brought the plant to his country of origin in 1828. (Hence the name.) A story associated with the flower is that of a Poor Mexican Girl Who can not afford a good gift to bring to the church for the baby Jesus. She therefore offers weeds with a pure heart and they are magically turning into beautiful posts. It's really the thought that counts.


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