The Surprising Origins of Christmas Traditions

During Christmas, we hang socks, decorate dead trees, and leave snacks for home intruders. Get a good look at the history and context for all this weirdness of the season.

Course No. 7454

Celebrate Christmas by learning about the fascinating and often unknown roots of many of our most beloved traditions.

Video Lessons

01: Christmas in Victorian Britain (25 min)

Many elements of Christmas—gift-giving, trees, carols, Christmas dinner, and cards—originated in Victorian Britain. Explore traditions we kept (like festive meals) and bizarre ones we lost (like children locking teachers outside in violent games).

02: Christmas in Victorian America (28 min)

Discover early America’s raucous holiday parades, whip-cracking candy hunts, and rowdy celebrations. Learn how retail windows, Christmas bonuses, and the modern Santa Claus emerged from this era.