Christmas Traditions Over the Years

A tradition is defined as a custom or belief that has been handed down from generation to generation. A child does what her mother does. The mother does what her mother did. When the child has children of her own, they will do what their mother does.

There are many Christmas traditions among families, cultures, countries, and communities. What is popular in one family might not be popular with every family in the community. However, there are some common traditions that everyone embraces. Even so, there might be variations within the tradition.

For example, many people have Christmas trees in their houses. That is a tradition, but they are not all decorated the same way. The timing of putting it up and taking it down might also differ.

Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is usually put in a central location in the house. The tree is decorated with ornaments, tinsel, garland, and lights, with an angel or a star symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem at the top. Presents the family will exchange are wrapped and placed under the tree.

Christmas Gifts

Gifts, also called presents, are wrapped in fancy paper or in gift bags and typically opened on Christmas morning. Some families have a tradition of opening one or more gifts on Christmas Eve and the rest of them the following morning.

Children are allowed to play with any toys and electronics as soon as they open their gifts. In rural communities, gifts were opened and displayed under the tree until the tree was taken down after New Year's Day.

That was because of another tradition. Homes had many visitors during the holidays, and people could see what everyone in the household got for Christmas. Can you imagine a video game, a bike, or a special toy being idle under the tree for over a week?

Decorations

Every family is different when it comes to decorations. Candles are placed in every window. A wreath might be on the front door. Christmas cards are hung or displayed for decoration. Of course, the Christmas tree is the central piece of the decoration.

Christmas Dinner

A traditional Christmas dinner usually includes either roasted turkey with stuffing, ham, or roast beef. Potatoes, squash, roasted vegetables, and cranberry sauce are side dishes.

A variety of desserts are served. They include chocolate cake, coconut cake, potato pie, coconut pie, and fruitcake. Drinks include apple cider or eggnog sprinkled with cinnamon and nutmeg.

Christmas Songs

There are hundreds of Christmas songs. The most popular one over the years is Irving Berlin's White Christmas, which was written in 1940. Close to a hundred artists have recorded the song. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the version by Bing Crosby is the best-selling single of all time.

There are many other Christmas songs that are played from Thanksgiving through the Christmas holiday. Some popular songs include Jingle Bells, Silver Bells, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and All I Want For Christmas Is You.

Religious songs include Silent Night, O Holy Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, and Joy to the World.

Religious Services

In some churches, there is a special service on the Sunday before Christmas and Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. A Nativity play is another tradition performed in some churches.

Christmas Cards

Christmas cards are not delivered by the mail carrier as they used to be. That's because of the price of postage and social media. A person can save money on the card and postage by simply finding one online and sending the same card to an entire group of people with one click of the mouse. Surely, it is not the same as receiving a greeting card in the mail.

At one time, people used to display their many cards on the wall or on their coffee table to be read over and over during the holidays.

One woman said she used to receive up to 40 to 50 cards for Christmas. Now she receives fewer than five.

Christmas Movies

There are many Christmas movies, old and new. The old movies return almost every year, and movie lovers watch and enjoy them as if they are seeing them for the very first time.

The Hallmark Channel begins showing romantic Christmas movies around Thanksgiving, and they continue throughout the holidays.

Some popular classics include How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life, and many others.