BY DANIEL S. HOLT | December 24, 2025

Christmas is filled with many different types of decorations, traditions and foods. Have you ever wondered how some of them became so popular at Christmas time? Here, I have taken ten well-known Christmas-related items, and did some research about them.

  Advent Wreaths and Calendars

Advent is the four weeks leading up to Christmas day. The Advent wreath’s origin came from German Lutherans during the 1500s, but the more modern Advent wreath was not formed for another 300 years. Today, the wreath has four candles placed it, with a fifth candle in the center. Each candle has a special meaning: love, joy, peace, and hope, and the center candle represents Christ. 

The Advent calendar also originated from German Lutherans, though in the late 1800s, and is now popular among everyone. These calendars usually have 24 little windows or doors, with one being opened each day leading up to Christmas Eve. They usually have a small piece of candy or trinket behind each door. 

  Candy Canes

According to legend, a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany in 1670, handed out sugar sticks to the choirboys to keep them quiet during a performance of the Nativity story. In honor of Christmas, he bent the candies into the shapes of shepherd’s crooks. The candy cane as we know it now came to be in the early 1900s, when candy makers added red stripes and peppermint flavor.

Christmas Trees

The modern Christmas tree comes from Germany, where they have been used since the 1500s.Before electricity, the trees were usually decorated with candles, and often handmade ornaments.  German immigrants in the early 1800s brought the tradition to the United States. President Franklin Pierce was the first president to have a Christmas tree in the White House, in 1853.

Fruitcake

Fruitcake, the food everyone loves to hate, has been around in some way shape or form since ancient times. It most likely became part of Christmas traditions and the winter season because of its ability to last for months before going bad. It stays preserved so well because of its high sugar content, dried fruits, and alcohol. Because of expensive ingredients, it became popular to serve during the holidays, when people like to eat fancy foods.

  Gingerbread houses

The origin of these delicious houses began in Germany during the 1500s, but were not very popular until the early 1800s when the Brothers Grimm wrote the story about Hansel and Gretel. After that, people began building houses out of gingerbread, and over time these houses became bigger and fancier, and covered in all types of candies and goodies.

Holly & Ivy

These two plants have been used for decorations in the wintertime for thousands of years. They are both evergreen plants, and in ancient traditions were symbols of eternal life and rebirth. Over time, the sharp leaves of the holly became a symbol of Jesus’ crown of thorns and its red berries the blood He shed. Ivy became a symbol for eternal life in Christ.

  Mistletoe

The mistletoe was sacred in European folklore in pre-Christian traditions. It was used to ward off evil, provide good luck, improve fertility, and as medicine. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe began in England in the early 1700s, where it was said that doing so would increase the likelihood of marriage in the coming year.  

 Nutcrackers

Everyday nutcrackers are simple metal tools that look similar to pliers. However, as far back as the 1400s, German woodcarvers began creating ones that were not only functional, but decorative, and often resembled animals and humans. By the mid-1800s, they evolved into figures we recognize now. Their connection to Christmas is thanks to the 1892 ballet by Tchaikovsky called The Nutcracker. The ballet takes place on Christmas Eve, and features a nutcracker that comes to life. 

  Poinsettias 

Another plant that is very common at Christmas is the poinsettia. They are native to Central America from Mexico to Guatemala. There are several Christmas legends about the Poinsettia and its origins. The shape of its flower and leaves is sometimes thought to be a symbol of the Star of Bethlehem.    

Yule Log

The Yule Log’s history goes back to ancient Europe, before Christianity. It was most common in Germanic and Nordic areas. With the spread of Christianity, the Yule Log became part of Christmas traditions. It was often seen as a representation of Christ’s light and hope during the darkest part of the year, and people would burn the Yule Log throughout the 12 days of Christmas, especially in England, France and in Scandinavian countries. By the 1800s in France, people began to make desserts that represented the Yule Log, and are called Buche de Noel. Today, you can find these cakes decorated in all sorts of ways.  

And there you have it! I hope you’ve enjoyed learning a little more about the things we associate with Christmas. If there’s one thing I learned, is that many of them are from Germany. Have a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!