Discover the Secret Meanings Behind 21 Popular Christmas Symbols
From Christmas trees to stockings, the history will surprise you.
’Tis the season for non-stop action. As soon as the Thanksgiving plates are cleared, it’s time to get down to the business of amping up the holiday cheer. We’re making lists, checking them twice, and then getting everything in order to decorate trees, deck the halls, gather the boughs of holly, pose for Christmas card photos, and shop for presents that surprise and delight. And that’s just the beginning! Those stockings won’t hang themselves from the mantel, the holiday menu needs cooking, and coming up with a cool holiday playlist is an art in and of itself.
But even with so much to do, it’s important to take a breath and give a moment or two of thought as to why we’re doing all that we do. Even if you’re buying garland at Hobby Lobby, there’s a real-life reason that greenery is included in traditional holiday décor. And if you think tinsel is troublesome now, imagine how complicated things were when it was made out of real silver! Knowing the history behind some of the practices that have become part of your family’s history adds a very meaningful layer to the season. So with no further adieu, here’s a brief primer on 20+ traditions.
Christmas Tree
Although ancient Romans decorated trees for their winter festivals, when they were later used to celebrate Christmas in Europe, they were often left plain. Martin Luther is credited as being the first to add candles to trees in the 1600s, and later, Germans began piling on apples, paper, and a host of other décor to the branches. (This year, add spice with one in your kitchen!)
Star
Remember back in Sunday School when you learned about the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the three wisemen (bearing gifts!) to the manger the night Jesus was born? That’s the reason for this seasonal bling.
Related: How to Make a Waldorf Star
Stockings
Legend has it that St. Nicholas kicked off the tradition of placing goodies in a stocking by accident. He gifted some gold bars to someone by towing them through a window, and one accidentally slid into a sock. From then on, footware became a go-to spot to find Christmas surprises. Conversely, bad kids in Germany were warned that Krampus might leave something decidedly less pleasant if they didn’t shape up—coal.
Related: Christmas Mantel Ideas
Tinsel
Only the most wealthy and elite Germans could afford to adorn their trees with tinsel back in the 1600s—it was made with real silver! Now it’s made from PVC, which makes it a much cheaper way to spruce up the branches, but it’s also messier and a hazard for pets.
Related: Vintage Christmas Decorations that Never Go Out of Style
Ornaments
The Germans really made Christmas what it is today. We have them to thank for adding ornamentation to trees, starting with fruit and later with glass orbs. By the late 1930s, companies like Shiny Brite were mass producing ornaments in a variety of colors and materials.
Candles
Lit tapers add a little something special to birthdays, romantic dinners, and yes, Christmas. Martin Luther added candles to the tree, and Irish Catholics placed lit candles in the window during the colonial era in defiance of the British who were trying to stop them from practicing their religion.
Candy Canes
Even holiday sweets come with serious meaning. According to various spots on the Internet, the candy cane’s shape comes from the letter “J” in honor of Jesus. And the red-and-white stripes? They represent the purity and blood of God’s only son.
Wreath
Nothing is livelier than a fresh wreath on the front door during the holidays—and that’s by design! The circular shape and array of greenery symbolize eternal life. Back in the day, Christians added a candle to the mix to show off their faith and remind folks of the light Jesus brought to the world.
Garlands
Folks have been using greenery to symbolize hope and life during the winter months for ages. And it makes sense to deck the halls with it today. After all, it’s easy to make yuletide more vibrant with swaths of pine, fir, and spruce—or even faux varieties!
Gingerbread Houses
The delicious cookie’s history begins in Russia, where bakers began making gingerbread men and women during the holidays. When the recipe reached Europe in the 1600s, Germans began using the sturdy dough to create tiny houses (perhaps inspired by Hansel & Gretel!) bedecked with all kinds of candy and icing. Now every holiday season, both budding bakers and professionals create all manner of sweet structures.
Green and Red
Turns out holly is the reason for the season in more ways than one. The colors of the plant inspire the Christmas palette for two reasons: the red symbolizes the blood of Jesus and the green is a symbol for everlasting life.
Related: How to Make a Bow Garland.
Mistletoe
Legend has it that the Norse goddess Frigg said she’d kiss anyone under mistletoe. Somehow it became associated with Christmas—there’s even a somewhat creepy song about it (“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” anyone?). Basically, the plant has become an excuse to make people kiss you during the holidays by threatening them with “bad luck” if they refuse.
Related: How Kissing Under the Mistletoe Became a Christmas Tradition.
Wrapped Gifts
The Chinese have known how special wrapping is since the 2nd century, but the tradition of specifically wrapping Christmas presents began later with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The couple kicked off a Christmas tree craze in the 19th century. Not only did people go wild for decorated trees, they also liked the idea of having wrapped presents beneath it.
Related: This Old Hallmark Video Is a Treasure Trove of Gift-Wrap Hacks.
Angels
Chances are, you—or one of your friends—might have played an angel at your church’s live nativity scene. If so, you know angels played a pivotal role the night Jesus was born, appearing to shepherds to deliver the good news. Angels have a history of spreading messages for God throughout the Bible, so when we top a tree with one or trim a branch or two with haloed ornaments, we’re adding a message of hope to the décor.
Poinsettia
The flowers made a big splash in Mexico when Franciscan monks began using them during the holidays. Their popularity grew thanks to the story of Pepita, a little girl who had no present to give Christ, so she gathered some weeds, laid them at the foot of the manger, and they suddenly sprang to life as poinsettias.
Related: Poinsettia Care Tips.
Holly
We all love a holly, jolly Christmas, but the meaning associated with this particular plant is no laughing matter. The leaves represent the crown of thorns that Jesus wore when he was crucified, and the red berries are a symbol for the blood he shed. When used for décor, it can help remind us of the importance of sacrifice.
Related: How to Grow and Care for a Holly Bush.
Doves
The cooing bird flies into many scenes throughout the Bible and has come to symbolize peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit. That makes the feathered friend a perfect representation for a season that celebrates goodwill and peace toward our fellow mankind.
Santa Claus
While the portly gentleman with rosy cheeks has become synonymous with both Christmas and the North Pole, the original Saint Nick was alive and well during the height of the Roman Empire. The 4th-century Christian bishop became known as the patron saint of children thanks in part due to his great generosity and propensity for secret gift giving.
Related: Santa Jokes to Make Your Holiday Jollier.
Christmas Cards
Long before you and your family posed for photos in matching sweaters, the good people of Victorian England were going crazy writing long letters every holiday season. Sir Henry Cole was a popular guy, so when the stacks of mail started growing, he panicked and asked a friend to create a drawing, made 1,000 copies, and then used them to send everyone on his list a short note. The rest is history.
Related: Christmas Card Ideas to Help You Create a Masterpiece.
Bells
Come December 1, everyone is jingling all the way thanks to playlists that include “Jingle Bells,” “Winter Wonderland,” and “Silver Bells.” But if you’re curious about why bells hold significance during the holidays, the answer is simple: Bells used to summon folks to church, and so they remain a call to service and worship.
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