Frosty the Snowman is a Christmas holiday favorite. He’s loved by old and young alike. This author can’t imagine Christmas without Frosty. Snowman lovers fill their home with a huge assortment of snowmen. If you are truly a Frosty fan (aka fanatic), you keep snowman decorations around your home and office all year.

Steeped in holiday tradition, Frosty is second only to Santa Claus as the focal point of the non-religious side of the holiday season. Many songs, stories, animated cartoons, and movies about Frosty have evolved over the years. Why is Frosty so lovable? No one knows. He just is.  

Did you Know? The song “Frosty, the Snowman” was written by Jack Nelson and Steve Rollins in 1950.

The tradition of burning the yule log goes back about 1000 years ago in Europe. The tradition varies by culture and country, taking somewhat different forms in a similar theme. Its roots go back to pagan European cultures who celebrated the winter Solstice and the feast of Yule.

Ancient Romans held a winter celebration called The Feast of Saturnalia. The Yule celebration included big bonfires (Yule Fires). People danced around the Yule fire honoring their pagan gods of winter. In more recent times, the Yule log was a partially charred log from the prior year’s fire. The log was kept for a year to protect the home from fires. People place the log in the fireplace during the Christmas season. Then, it is very ceremoniously lit and burned. The whole event is a ceremony that varies by family and culture.

Today, we talk about the Yule log. We even sing about it. But, few families practice the traditions. Hundreds of years ago, everyone has a fireplace to cook and heat their homes. Nowadays, many people do not have a fireplace to carry on this ancient tradition. The thought and practicality of keeping a charred log in your home for a year, has also lost its appeal.

Did You Know? The Christmas season is sometimes called “Yule Time”.

The original author of this song is unknown. This Christmas carol is of English origin and dates back to the 16th century. The song talks about Figgy Pudding. Find out what Figgy Pudding is and see a recipe. About Figgy Pudding. This is one of the most popular Christmas carols. Here are the We Wish You a Merry Christmas song lyrics:

Christmas wreaths have been used as a decorative symbol of Christmas for hundreds and hundreds of years. The best kinds are fresh evergreen wreaths, as they give off a pleasant pine scent when they are new. Holiday wreaths can adorn any part of your home, inside or out. In many homes, this symbol of growth and everlasting life can be found both inside and out. It is common to find wreaths on doors and walls, over the mantle, or hung in windows.

The wreath is made of evergreens, most often pine branches or holly. They can be real or artificial. But, an artificial one just doesn’t smell the same as an evergreen wreath. It is decorated with a variety of items including pine cones, holly berries, fruits, and just about anything you can imagine.

The wreath has significant meaning for the season. Its circular shape represents eternity, for it has no beginning and no end. From a Christian religious perspective, it represents an unending circle of life. The evergreen, most frequently used in making wreaths, symbolizes growth and everlasting life. Holly branches have thorns. When used in a wreath it represents the thorn on Jesus’ crown when he was crucified. Bright red holly berries symbolize Jesus’ blood that was shed for us.

Today, it is sometimes hard to remember the real meaning of Christmas. We get all caught up in the hype of Santa and his arrival. The wreath over the hearth brings warmth to our hearts as we stop to reflect upon the true meaning of this very special day. 

Did You Know? While most of us think of holiday wreaths made of pine branches, some areas use a wide variety of materials. For example in New Mexico, Christmas wreaths are often made of dried Chiles.

White Christmas was written by Irving Berlin. He wrote it sometime between 1940 and 1942 while working on the movie Holiday Inn. The Bing Crosby version of this song is the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold. The movie White Christmas (1954) with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye is one of the top Christmas classic movies, too. Many people watch it year after year. Here are the White Christmas song lyrics:

A Little History: The origin of using Christmas trees has its roots in Germany during medieval times. It comes from the tradition of decorating an evergreen tree, called the “Paradise tree”. Others believe the first Christmas tree was decorated by Martin Luther during the 1700s. The Germans brought the tradition of decorating the tree to America in the 1800s. Once they arrived in the New World, the tradition spread rapidly in both America and around the world.

Finding the Perfect Christmas Finding a Christmas tree is one of the first steps in preparing for the holiday season.

• How to find the perfect tree.
• Selecting a Christmas tree

Types of Trees: There are short needles, long needles, varying shades of green, and aarrgh…artificial. To most families, the whole process of selecting and decorating the tree is steeped in tradition from start to finish. The traditional tree absolutely has to be the same kind that you have had year after year, generation after generation. However, if you are looking to change varieties, there is plenty of selection. See: Varieties of Christmas Trees

Ah! Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year. Christmas traditions and symbols abound. It has both a strong religious and traditional meaning and roots. The entire Christmas season is a time of family and giving. It is truly a time that comes but once a year. Most countries celebrate Christmas. It is steeped in holiday tradition, like no other event. Every family has its specific traditions, too. We have to stick to our family traditions, no matter how tired we are….no matter how busy our schedule is. Without them, it’s not Christmas at all.

Silent Night is a German Christmas carol. It was written by Joseph Mohr in 1816. In German it is called “Stille Nacht”. It is one of the most popular Christmas carols. Here are the Silent Night song lyrics.

Santa Claus is coming to Town! This is certainly music to a kid’s ears. And, that kid could be anywhere from one to ninety-two. No, that’s not just how the song goes. Rather, that’s how it is! Christmas brings out the kid in all of us. So all you good little boys and girls, take a few minutes out from decorating the tree and wrapping presents to enjoy a little time with Santa Claus and his world at the North Pole! And, don’t forget the reindeer. Learn about them and the reindeer names right here.

Santa Claus lies at the North Pole with his reindeer and elves. As you know, Santa’s reindeer fly him in his sleigh on Christmas Eve to the houses of good children all over the world. Meanwhile, the elves make the toys in Santa’s workshop. There are so many good children on Santa’s “Nice List”, that the elves must work all year long. All work and no play would indeed make them dull elves. But, don’t worry they have lots of fun and games. Santa keeps his elves very happy, and well-fed, too! 

Did you Know? Biologically, you would think all of Santa’s Reindeer are female. Male Reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter. Female reindeer keep their antlers all year long. But kids, don’t worry. Santa uses a very special kind of reindeer found only at the North Pole. Both male and female reindeer at the North Pole keep their antlers until New Year’s. 

Robert L. May was tasked in 1939 with coming up with a Christmas story for Montgomery Ward, where he worked. He created the storybook, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. He enlisted the help of his brother-in-law John Marks, to write the song. The song debuted in 1949, sung by cowboy Gene Autry. It is one of the most popular Christmas carols. Here are the Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer song lyrics.