What comes to mind when you think of Christmas? Is it gingerbread houses and Hallmark movies or ice skating in downtown Pittsburgh on a cold December night? While this holiday and its wonderful festivities are extremely popular, most people do not know some of the more interesting aspects that make up Christmas. 

1. Santa Claus

When you picture Santa, you think of a man in all red clothing with a long, white bead and a large stomach. The image of Santa Claus that we know and love today became popular by the brand Coca-Cola. Santa Claus originally had a scary depiction and was deemed unwelcoming by children. It wasn’t until 1931 when Coca-Cola hired illustrator Haddon Sundblom to create a more inviting Santa Claus image for their advertisements. Since then, their depiction of Santa Claus has populated many stores, advertisements, and movies as the new face of Christmas. 

2. Jingle Bells

James Lord Pierpont wrote the song we all know and love, but it was originally titled “One Horse Open Sleigh.” Pierpont originally wrote this song for his church’s Thanksgiving concert, but in 1857, the song was republished under the title “Jingle Bells.”

3. Rudolph

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was initially used as a marketing ploy. Today, Rudolph has his own movies and has become a welcoming symbol of Christmas. But before that, he was created by Montgomery Ward Department Store. Rudolph first appeared in 1939 when Montgomery Ward Department Store asked one of their copywriters to create a Christmas story they could use as a promotional gimmick. 

4. Saint Nicholas

Santa Claus was inspired by a real person. Saint Nicholas was a man who gave away a majority of his inheritance to those in need. In Dutch, his name was Sinterklaas, which then became translated into Santa Claus. Saint Nicholas was the inspiration for the Santa we have today because of how much he gave to those around him. 

5. Christmas Tree

One of the greatest Christmas traditions for many families is decorating a Christmas tree. The idea came from Prince Albert of Germany when he surprised his wife, Queen Victoria of England, with a tree for the holidays. In 1848, a drawing of the family was done and appeared in Illustrated London News. Since then, Christmas trees have become a staple for the holidays.

6. Candy Canes

The candy cane is a both decorative and delicious treat to enjoy around the holiday season. While there are many flavors today, the original candy cane was created by a choirmaster who used the sweet to keep young children distracted during long church services. German Swedish immigrant, August Imgard, used candy canes as decor for his Christmas tree in 1847. The idea then flourished, and candy canes have been upgraded and changed since then. 

7. Tinsel

Tinsel, which is used for decoration in many households, was originally made from real silver. In 1610, the idea of tinsel was popularized in Germany. The U.S. government once made a ban on tinsel products because it contained poisonous lead in them. Today, tinsel is legal, of course, and typically made out of plastic.

8. Biblical History 

In biblical terms, Christmas is used as a way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. However, in the Bible, there are no mentions of Jesus being born on December 25th, or Christmas Day. Many historians believe Jesus was born in Springtime.

9. Pagan Roots

Christmas used to be illegal in areas such as Boston due to the fact the holiday had Pagan roots.  From 1659-1681, celebrating Christmas was deemed illegal in Boston, and citizens could be fined if caught celebrating. 

10. Stockings

Hanging stockings by a fireplace was not a well-known idea until a poor man with three daughters could not afford their dowries. He ended up being gifted a bag of gold by Saint Nicholas, which was dropped through his chimney and landed in one of the man’s stockings that he was drying. 

Christmas is a holiday meant for celebration and connecting with others. This holiday season, despite being so different from previous years, can still be one to celebrate. So the next time someone asks you about Christmas, be sure to think of all the different people and stories that helped shape the holiday into what it is today.