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Holiday Histories

Our name is Christmas Central, but we focus on so much more than Christmas. Let our holiday resources section help you prepare for every major holiday throughout the year!

New Years Eve

History of New Year Celebrations

Countries all over the world welcome the New Year with all sorts of celebrations. How did our New Year's Eve traditions begin? The answer is nearly as old as time itself…

Valentine's Tags

History of Valentine's Day

When it comes to romance, no day is more popular than Valentine's Day. Named after one or more Christian saints who were martyred, the holiday has been a worldwide celebration of love throughout the ages.
Mardi Gras

History of Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is celebrated in cities around the world and New Orleans, Louisiana, has built a reputation for lavish Mardi Gras entertainment. It is a time for feasting and merriment, with extravagant costumes and parades - and a history as colorful as the famous Mardi Gras beads!
Clovers

History of St. Patrick's Day

The St. Patrick's Day holiday pays tribute to Irish history. The feast day, often marked with parades, Irish music and dancing, is a popular holiday in the U.S. and many countries around the world.
Easter Eggs

History of Easter

The holiday of Easter, much like Christmas, has roots in both Christianity and ancient pagan culture. Though it is mostly considered a religious holiday, many of our modern traditions hail from Easter's pagan roots.
Lake & Forest

History of Earth Day

Earth Day is a holiday dedicated to one purpose: to raise awareness about the health of the environment. Observed annually on April 22, it has become an international celebration. Over 192 countries now celebrate this holiday, which became of international significance in 2009.

Easter Eggs

History of Mother's Day

In terms of holidays representing a specific member of the family, the most commonly represented is Mother's Day. It is a day to recognize and appreciate all the mothers in the world whose hard work, love, and support truly makes a difference in our lives.
Memorial Day

History of Memorial Day

Americans have set aside a day to honor fallen soldiers since just after the Civil War. Find out how and why we observe Memorial Day in the U.S.
American Flag

History of Flag Day

Many countries celebrate a "Flag Day" in acknowledgement of their country's best known emblem, and we Americans are no exception. The familiar sight of our Stars and Stripes spread a message of pride and dedication to our country. Many different versions of the flag have existed in our history, changing throughout the years to reflect the current number of states.
Father & Son Boots

History of Father's Day

Father's Day is an important holiday; a time to show appreciation for all of the wonderful and hard-working fathers and father figures in the world. Let's take a look at how this holiday came to be.
American Flag & Sparkler

History of the Fourth of July

The 4th of July, also known as Independence Day, is a holiday unique to the United States. As a day to commemorate our separation from Britain, it very rapidly became a federal holiday of patriotic thought and action. Surprisingly, a major misconception about this holiday exists to this day.
Grandparents

History of Grandparents Day

Created in 1978, National Grandparents Day is a holiday designated to honor and commemorate the elder members of a family.
Candies

History of Sweetest Day

Sweetest Day is a holiday with a regional focus. It is most popular in the Northeast and Great Lakes region of the United States, though it is gradually spreading to other areas of the country. It is a holiday that exists to give presents - mainly sweets - to loved ones and friends. Other common gifts include greeting cards and flowers.
Grandparents

History of Halloween

A night of ghosts, goblins, witches, and werewolves, Halloween is a favorite holiday of children (after Christmas of course!). It is a night where they can dress up in a silly costume and get free candy! What kid could resist? Which is why it is interesting to note how the holiday appears to have been formed out of superstitions and fear.
Day of the Dead

History of Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead (also known as Día de Muertos orDía de los Muertos) is a celebration among the people of Mexico, Mexican residents of the United States, and other cultures around the world. It typically begins at midnight on October 31st and ends on the 2nd of November.
Thanksgiving

History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday almost completely unique to the United States of America. A day of family, friendship, and food, it is celebrated during fall in late November. The meaning of Thanksgiving is intertwined in the earliest days of the country, and although customs have changed slightly throughout the years, the holiday has never lost its original purpose.
Hanukkah Menorah

History of Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a holiday celebrated by Jewish custom in November-December.
Cathedral

History of Baptism, Confirmation, and Communion

Many churches in the Christian faith have specific ceremonies - or sacraments - that mark important moments in the lives of their members. The three mentioned here are among the most common.