MAIN Holidays Christmas Christmas Traditions & History

Trace the origins of the holiday with some of the best illustrated histories online - from the history of the Christmas tree and the origins of Santa Claus - to centuries-old festive winter traditions still observed in countries around the world...

Catholic Encyclopedia: Christmas - Detailed and scholarly exposition on keeping the Western world's biggest holiday holy.

St. Nicholas: Discovering The Truth About Santa Claus - Great eye candy sweetens an excellent mix of lore and history plus facts about worldwide traditions, kids' games and stories, together with background on the Michigan-based St. Nicholas Center.

Diorama Bethlehem - Go on a virtual tour of the world's largest creche, or Christmas crib, in Einsidein, Switzerland.

History Channel - Christmas - As only the History Channel can do it, with a great, illustrated narrative on the origins of Santa Claus, Christmas trees, world traditions and more.

Christmas History - With select links to articles, essays, personal stories, online exhibits and e-texts, from ChristmasPast.info.

Christmas worldwide - The grand sweep from Wikipedia with information on Christmas in dozens of countries highlighted with photos, related references and resources.

Christmas Around the World - First person accounts of traditions at Christmas in countries throughtout Europe as well as the USA.

Christmas in England - Wonderful, comprehensive, and kid-friendly tour of Christmas in the UK with pages of information on holiday customs including the history of Wassailing, the Yule log, Boxing Day, and lots more.

also see -> Christmas in the US | Christmas in Canada

Christmas in Europe | Christmas in Australia

Epiphany | Las Posadas | Find Santa Claus