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As winter sets in, it’s time to dive into the cool backstory of our favourite Christmas traditions. From the decked-out halls to Santa’s sleigh, let’s unravel the history behind the festive fun.

1. Deck the Halls: From Evergreens to Twinkling Lights

Back in the Middle Ages, people were already jazzing up their homes with evergreen boughs. Fast forward to the 1800s, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert made Christmas trees all the rage. Tinsel, ornaments, and twinkling lights soon followed, turning our homes into winter wonderlands.

2. Jolly Old St. Nick: Santa’s Wild Evolution

Santa Claus has been through a lot! From the 4th-century Bishop Saint Nicholas to Dutch Sinterklaas and English Father Christmas, the dude’s been around. The modern Santa, red suit and all, took shape in the 1800s thanks to artists like Thomas Nast.

3. The Twelve Days of Christmas: A Musical Countdown

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” carol goes way back to medieval Europe. It was probably a catchy way for kids to remember a bunch of gifts. The twelve days of celebrating, starting on December 25th and ending with the Feast of the Epiphany, were all about feasting, fun, and exchanging gifts.

4. Stockings by the Fireplace: St. Nick’s Surprise Move

Hanging stockings by the fireplace is a cute tradition with a story. Legend has it that good ol’ St. Nick dropped bags of gold down a chimney into some hanging stockings to help a struggling family. Today, kids hang stockings hoping for some sweet surprises on Christmas morning.

5. Yule Log: From Pagan Rituals to Cozy Fires

The Yule log tradition started with ancient winter solstice celebrations in Scandinavia and Germany. It was all about symbolizing light triumphing over darkness. Nowadays, we’ve ditched the giant logs for smaller, fireplace-friendly versions, keeping the cozy vibes alive.