Reasoning behind holiday traditions revealed

Since the early 1600s, candy canes have become a tradition at Christmas.

Shea Johnson

Since the early 1600’s, candy canes have become a tradition at Christmas.

During the Christmas season it is not unusual to find Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, special foods, or other holiday customs.

Red and green are dominant colors this time of year. According to whychristmas.com, green is considered one of the main ‘traditional’ colors of Christmas because of the evergreen plants that have been used to liven up establishments during the long winter. They also served as reminders that the winter would not last forever. Red is popular due to the widespread use of holly berries as decorations. It also represents the blood shed by Jesus and the red robes worn by Bishops, and of course, Santa’s uniform as well as Rudolph’s nose.

Why is peppermint a holiday thing too? What is up with candy canes?

According to inventors.about.com, all-white candy canes, sometimes decorated with roses, were first given as treats to children during “long winded nativity services” in 1670 at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. About 50 years later, the stripes appeared on the canes. Candy-makers also began to add peppermint and Wintergreen flavors, some of the best-selling flavors to this day.

Have Christmas trees always been around? Why are they special?

Any other time of the year, bringing a raggedy old tree into the living room and adorning it with candles would look odd, and in early America it was. Germany is credited with starting the tradition of Christmas trees. Christians would bring trees or piles of wood inside and decorate them with candles. According to history.com, the famous Martin Luther is believed to have been one of the first to decorate a tree with lit candles. They finally became popular in America around the early 19th century.

The evolution of the Christmas tree began another common ritual for Christmas today. As the technology and times progressed, so did the trees and decorations of winter. According to inventors.about.com, people moved away from using open-flame candles to light up the tree and switched to small lanterns and glass balls to hold candles. The first tree to be lit by electricity was in New York City in 1882.

These are just a few examples of holiday traditions. What are some other traditions that you and your family have?