HOLIDAYS

Illustration of people enjoying wassail, circa 1800.

What Is Wassailing, Anyway?

Here‘s everything you need to know about this beloved Christmas tradition, from how it evolved to a fun guide for doing it yourself.

14 Archaic Christmas Carol Words, Explained

Know what you’re talking about when you sing “troll the ancient Yuletide carol.”

Gingerbread cookies are a classic for a reason.

The Most Popular Christmas Cookies in All 50 States

From gingerbread to peppermint cookies, these are the treats people are looking up around the holidays.

The origins of Hanukkah’s blue and white color scheme are in the Bible and 19th-century poetry.

Why Are Blue and White the Colors of Hanukkah?

In 1864, the Jewish poet Ludwig August Frankl named blue and white “the colors of Judah” in a poem not so surprisingly called “Judah’s Colours.”

9 Festive Facts About ‘The Polar Express’

Based on the classic 1985 children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, the movie follows a young Santa Claus skeptic on a magical train ride to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen, and Danny Kaye in ‘White Christmas.’

12 Merry Facts About ‘White Christmas’

With Bing Crosby’s star power and Michael Curtiz directing, ‘White Christmas’ overcame early struggles to become a holiday classic.

A stack of gifts ... or are they presents?

What’s the Difference Between a Gift and a Present?

Those brightly wrapped packages we exchange around the holidays and other special occasions: Sometimes we call them “gifts,” sometimes “presents.” Is there a difference?

A holly sprig is considered a traditional part of the garnish.

What Is Figgy Pudding, Anyway?

Figgy pudding might be a fixture in Christmas carol lyrics, but you've probably never seen it in person. So just what is this British dish we've been singing about for all these years?

This time of year, it's hard not to feel the good joy and cheer.

The States With the Most—and Least—Christmas Spirit, Ranked

Some states across the U.S. are more likely to get into the holiday spirit than others, but areas like Utah and Massachusetts really outshine all the rest.

The Pagan Origins of Christmas Ham

The tradition of eating ham on Christmas dates back to Nordic animal sacrifices.

The Wild Ride of “Dominick the Donkey”—the Holiday Earworm You Love to Hate

“Dominick The Donkey,” Lou Monte's 1960 holiday earworm, is a novelty song even by Christmas music standards.

The Lord of Misrule overlooking Christmas revelry.

10 Old Christmas Traditions We Don't See Anymore

These lost festive traditions are no longer part of modern Christmas celebrations.

The Most Popular Holiday Desserts in Each State, Mapped

See if your favorite holiday treat is on the list.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

Tune Twist Quiz #20

It’s time to play Tune Twist, where we translate the lyrics of popular songs into multiple languages and then back into English. Can you figure out what the song is, or who performed it?

10 Heartwarming Facts About ‘Miracle on 34th Street’

More than 75 years after it premiered, the holiday classic can still make a believer out of anyone.

Untangling lights is practically its own holiday tradition.

From Thomas Edison to LEDs: A Brief History of Christmas Tree Lights

The history of how these mass-produced novelty lights became a holiday fixture is a distinctly American Christmas tale.

This strawberry pâte de fruit will be a hit with people of all ages.

Brighten Up Your Holidays With Homemade Strawberry Gumdrops

Strawberry pâte de fruit are the fanciest gumdrops you’ll ever taste.

10 Surprising Facts About Wham!’s “Last Christmas”

Over the course of his illustrious career, George Michael gave the world many gifts. One that keeps on giving is “Last Christmas,” the 1984 holiday classic by Wham!, Michael's pop duo with Andrew Ridgeley.

A bonfire is a common way to celebrate the season.

10 Ancient and Contemporary Yule Traditions

For millennia, people have celebrated the longest night of the year with these Yule traditions.

Watch Queen Elizabeth II Deliver the First Televised Christmas Broadcast

The transition from radio to a televised broadcast marked a new era for the monarchy.

You still have time—but you shouldn't put it off.

When Should You Send Christmas Cards?

Sending Christmas cards out to the family might be a big part of your holiday planning, but when is the best time to actually do it?

8 of the Biggest Holiday Gift Fads From the ‘90s and ‘00s

Holiday toy crazes come and go, but some retro toys like Tickle Me Elmo and the Talkboy are as iconic today as they were 30-odd years ago.

8 Fascinating But Not-So-Jolly Legends About St. Nicholas

St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different.

A Brief History of Eggnog

Eggnog started out as a fancy English drink called posset and made its way into American holiday celebrations.

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