Creating Christmas

St. Nicholas had to go. The protestants demanded it, and so he 'went'...into hiding. From the ousting of St. Nick came 3 different gift bringers...all vying for the crown of 'Christmas Gift Bringer'. This is the story behind Kriss Kringle, the Terror Men like Belsnickle & Sinterklaas.

Featured Author :

Tom A. Jerman - Santa Claus Worldwide

When we think about Santa is the original or is he the latest in a line of gift bringers...and if someone is responsible for the 'nice' list - who's responsible for the 'naughty' list.

Looking back, we find the roots of our first gift bringer not where you might expect...actually further North where the nights could be months long and the winter air was filled with spirits; some bringing presents and some passing judgement.

Creating Christmas Season 3 :: The Santa Season

If Christmas as we know it has roots in food, feats and drinking - why do we give presents? And beyond that, why do we give gifts and donations to those in need at Christmas?

Today on Creating Christmas, we delve into the history of our creation of Christmas presents - those we give to ones we love and those we give to complete strangers.

The religious celebration on December 25 has been a challenge and a challenger ever since it was first created. Yes, created…

We explore the actual biblical text to determine what we do know about Jesus’ birth and then figure out if the first Christians even cared about Christ’s birth much at all. And how did their recognition become our annual celebration?

All parents wrestle with the idea of St. Nick visiting their kids, and the inevitable challenge to the story that (according my interviews comes around age 7 or 8). But really, we have nothing to worry about because Santa Claus is real.  

The story of the Christmas Tree is full of myths and half-truths until one engraving tipped the scales. After its publication, the Western World went tree crazy.  This episode we walk into the Christmas Tree's tangled history.

Then - did you know you can actually go into a National Forest and cut your tree this year...found out how you and your family can have a very 1850's Christmas experience.

Part 3 of 3

In the conclusion, we dive into the very few stories and photos that it took to take Christmas from nearly extinct to the biggest holiday the world had ever seen. 

Christmas is "The Holiday the World Needed". From the way it developed to how we imagined and reimagined it, we had to have Christmas.

Christmas was nearly wiped out by the Puritans. In the aftermath, we find a new and different society that needs a something else to celebrate. How do the community celebrations of drinking and dining and cross-dressing get changed into something that can live comfortably in a family room? The answer starts to take shape with some early liars.

Christmas is "The Holiday the World Needed". From the way it developed to how we imagined and reimagined it, we had to have Christmas.

Have you heard some rumors of Christmas' history that seemed...kinda off.  Cross-dressing? Free alcohol? A mysterious leap in births around October?

What if they're mostly true...does that change things.

And if that changes things...what about all the other questions?

Is Christmas part of who we are as people? Is there a way we could have avoided having a Christmas at all?

In part 1 of our 3 part 'History of Christmas'

Does celebrating Mothers or Fathers Day ever feel a little…off? And, which came first a day to honor Mom or a celebration of Dad?

Today on Creating Christmas, we go back to the ‘not so distant’ roots of our parent holiday and ask the question - Did Hallmark really invent these days or was there something else going on?

Special Guest today is Dr. Katharine Antolini.

To find out more about the history of these holidays and also the secret behind the complete disappearance of ‘Parents Day’ - check out her book “Memorializing Mothers Day”.

It's not our beating heart - not remotely. But, the double humped heart shape is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world. Why? How did this shape cross all countries and languages to mean one thing 'love'? Was is horny Greeks, or maybe French poets? 

Today we discover the History of the Valentine's Heart

Why did people start cutting 'Christ' out of Christmas, and is this something *anyone* should worry about? We delve into the long history of X.

Why would anyone walk door-to-door singing? And who decided a religious holiday needed happy songs anyway? This week we jump into holiday cheer and uncover the music & lyrics.