Each year we put our tree up on December 10 my father’s birthday Decorating the tree marks the official beginning of our family’s Christmas season NT Stocksy com 6
Introduction In our family it’s hard to imagine what December would be like without a Christmas celebration Until we began the research for this book we didn’t know exactly why we always decorate a Christmas tree light a fire in our fireplace and leave a tray of milk and cookies outside on Christmas Eve We sing carols that celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as well as those that feature characters like Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Some of the tradi tions we follow date back thousands of years while others like watching a festive movie are more modern Sorting out where our various traditions originated led us to discover that although we celebrate and understand Christmas in one way there are many interpretations of what is the best and most appropriate way to honor the season Nikki doesn't dress up too often but the tradition of putting on a nice outfit at Christmas began in childhood and continues today Here Nikki and her cousin celebrate Christmas in England in 1967 Helga Williams 7
Not all Christmases include snow Our family has celebrated on the beaches of Australia Florida California and Hawaii depending on where we lived at the time Stocksy com 8
one Season of darkness season of light A midwinter celebration held in December and January is common in many parts of the world That’s true even when in places like Australia the winter months fall during the hottest part of the year Why do so many people in the world embrace festivities that include such features as a baby in a manger a jolly old man in red a grinchy tightwad gifts indoor trees and a stuffed turkey on the dinner table all in the name of Christmas Let’s take a look at where all those midwinter celebrations began Early Midwinter Celebrations In the depths of winter when the days are short and the temperatures are chilly it’s not surprising that people look 9
