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According to History, that log-shaped, chocolate-y dessert that you present to your guests every year has its roots in Gaelic and Celtic Winter Solstice traditions. "To cleanse the air of the previous year's events and to usher in the spring, families would burn logs decorated with holly, pinecones or ivy," the site states. "Wine and salt were also often used to anoint the logs. Once burned, the log's ashes were v

While he is most famously associated with Halloween thanks to his creepy classic, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Washington Irving was actually partially responsible for shaping the Christmas traditions we know and love today. "Among Irving's biggest contributions to Christmas in America was his promotion of St. Nicholas as a beloved character, laying the groundwork for the figure we

In America, families who celebrate Christmas might enjoy a turkey or ham for their holiday dinner. But over in Japan, modern holiday festivities often involve eating KFC at Christmas. According to the BBC, it's estimated that 3.6 million Japanese families enjoy the fast-food chicken on Dec. 25.

Dec. 26 isn't just Boxing Day—it's also National Candy Cane Day, "and while that doesn't mean it'll keep us from munching on the sugary sticks as early as Thanksgiving, it does give us a chance to indulge as m

If there's a child in your life, then there's a good chance that they've asked for at least one Lego set as a gift over the years. In fact, they probably ask for one each year. That's why, during the Christmas season, almost 28 Leg

Santa Claus may be a one-of-a-kind Christmas character, but plenty of performers dress up as the festive figure each year to make extra money. During the holidays, mall Santas earn around $30 an hour but can make up to $100 per hour for their work. However, Dan Greenleaf, a professional freelance Santa who runs his own booking agency, told CNBC that when he's hired to visit parties, homes, or other events, the "typical hourly mid-range is about $150." And if y

Santa's Village is a festive theme park that's open 365 days a year in Canada, so you can visit during the winter months or camp there during the summer. Many movies have also been filmed at the seasonal locatio

Did you know that Santa Claus is known by a number of festive names around the world? In Hungary, for instance, he goes by Mikulás, while those in Brazil refer to him as Papai Noel. He'll also answer to Hotei

These beautiful red and green flowering plants have been associated with Christmas for over 100 years. Back in 1828, the American minister to Mexico, Joel R. Poinsett, brought a poinsettia home to America from his post down south. Getting their name from Poinsett, the plants gained popularity in the U.S. after stores in New York began to

When you find yourself standing under a sprig of mistletoe, it's time for a Christmas kiss. But, while mistletoe was once considered an aphrodisiac by the Druids, it also happens to mean "dung on a stick." According to Interflora, the original name for mistletoe was mistaltan—mistal comes from the Anglo Saxon word for "dung" and