Numerous people and several civilizations have celebrated Christmas for several years, including those living during the middle ages. A few of our popular traditions have been inherited from this fundamental age. For example, the Yule log was a popular tradition with the Druids during this time. They would bless a log, and after that keep it lit for twelve days in a row. The residual portion of the log was then retained to be used the following year, when it was used to help light a new Yule log. This log played a significant part in cultural existence. The Druids would usually carve symbols of evil as well as other bad stuff into the log in hopes that by burning it, they would go away for good. This added to the festive air of the season because it represented a time period of renewal.

Wassail is a very popular and delicious warm cider drink. The word wassail translates to "good health," or "be well." During the middle ages, wassail was made with ale, spices, and honey or other sweeteners. Visitors would offer the drink as a token of well wishes. In the present day, people still enjoy wassail, whether it contains alcohol or not, and many simply refer to it as hot cider. Not surprisingly, the Christmas meal was also a significant part of the holiday during the middle ages. Goose was typically put on your plate (as an alternative to turkey or ham), as well as "humble pie" which contained the body parts of a deer such as the liver and brains. Some people are convinced that this is where the saying "eat your humble pie" originated.

Over the ages, trees have been an significant symbol, both for the holiday season as well as for a way of life. The Druids adored the oak and evergreen, and they depicted life and luck. Vikings would place objects on the branches, and in the middle ages apples were hung on Christmas Eve. This is reportedly the origin of ornaments and the use of Christmas trees inside the house. Other plants for example holly and ivy were also important in home decor during the holidays. Entertainment had a huge role too. Carols were sung and short plays named liturgical dramas (much like the modern Christmas pageant) were performed in churches and in meeting places. Although not all traditions for Christmas originated from the people of the middle ages, some of the most significant were observed by the people of that time and they still live on these days.

The original Santa Claus, St. Nicholas was born in an ancient Southern Turkish town of Lycia in the early fourth century. His generosity was legendary and he was particularly fond of Children. this is known primarily through Roman accounts of his patronage of youths, which eventually led to his becoming the patron saint of Children.

He is honoured in several countries on the day of his death, December 6 in the year 345. due to the proximity of this date to the birth of Jesus Christ the two events were merged.

The Dutch decided to keep the St. Nicholas tradition alive. They brought with them to the new world two Christmas items that were quickly Americanized.

Flashback to the sixteenth century Holland when Children placed wooden shoes by the hearth the night of St. Nicholas's arrival. these shoes were filled with straw, a meal for the Saint's gift laden donkey. In return, St. Nicholas would insert a small treat into each clog. In America the clog was replaced with the stocking hung by the Chimney.

The Dutch spelled St. Nicholas "Sint Nikolass", which was changed to "SinterKlass" in the new world and later changed to "Santa-Claus.

Most of the things associated with Santa-Claus now, the reindeer-drawn sleigh and the red and white costume originated in America. Even the story, "The Night Before Christmas", which was written by Dr. Clement Clark Moore in 1882, to read to his children on Christmas Eve.

America also made Santa fat. The rosy cheeked, roly-poly Santa is considered as the handiwork of the influential nineteenth century cartoonist, Thomas Nast. between 1863 and 1886, Nast created a series of Christmas drawings for Harper's weekly. these drawings ensured Santa's metamorphosis from a podgy, diminutive, elf like creature of Dr. Moore immortal poem to the bearded, potbellied life size bell ringer familiar to all of us today.

A lot of old traditions in France are connected with the holiday season. on the eve of Christmas, having a puppet show is quite popular and afterward at midnight, folks go to the church in order to hear the traditional Christmas Mass. following the mass, they gather for a late dinner on Christmas Eve, termed as le R