The origin and history of Christmas customs

Wednesday, 21 December 2011 15:14

The origin and history of Christmas customs

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, December 22:

Are you and your family all ready for Christmas this weekend? Is the tree decorated with sparkling ornaments and lights? Are the stockings hung by the fireplace -- that is if you have one? Are the youngest members of the family looking forward to Santa Claus' visit?

So many traditions and customs go along with the celebration of Christmas. But do really know where they came from? For example, who was the first to put an evergreen tree in the house and decorate it?

On Thursday's Radio Smart Talk, Jim Morrison, the Historian and Chief Curator at the National Christmas Center and Museum in Paradise, Lancaster County, will join us to answer your Christmas questions.

LISTEN TO PROGRAM:

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comments

# Beth Trach 2011-12-22 10:30

I'll always remember visiting my family over Christmas when I was little--the memories of the food, not the presents, are what stick out the most, followed by the memories of all of my cousins gathered in one place (all 14 of us with my 12 aunts and uncles and my Nana at the head of the table--huge for an only child such as myself), and of course the trip there (winding back roads, getting stuck behind coal trucks going so slowly up the mountains...)

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# Jane Scott 2011-12-22 10:34

What do you know about the cotton wrapped tree? I am from Tyrone, PA, and many families in that pocket of PA decorated these bare sycamore trees, covering them with cotton first, then with ornaments.

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# Lisa 2011-12-22 10:56

We grew up knowing that Santa Claus was a game that grown-ups played and that we were not to spoil it for other kids who believed. My mother thought it was horrible to teach children that Santa brought toys to good kids, but not bad kids. Her logic in not letting us believe in Santa Claus was that she thought it wasn't fair to poor kids who might not get anything, or at least not what they wanted, to think it was because they were bad. I never felt that I missed out on any special part of Christmas because of this and I am glad to hear the guest say that presents aren't what kids like or remember the most.

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