Holidays are home to many traditions, but some of them have curious roots!
Look at some of the most curious holiday traditions on Day 7 of our 12 Days of Fun and Play. We will answer your most pressing questions such as...
Why does Santa wear red?
Most people picture Santa as a jovial man with a big white beard and a chic red suit, but that wasn't always the case! Traditionally, Santa Claus wore green, brown, and even priestly robes. So why is Santa wearing red so widely and popularly now?
In 1931, Coca-Cola company illustrator Haddon Sundblom created a Coca-Cola-inspired image of Santa Claus in a series of holiday advertisements. In them, he portrayed Santa as a round and cheerful man with red cheeks, inspired by the description of Santa in The Night Before Christmas. The ad was a huge hit around the world, and Santa still wears red to this day.
Why do people kiss under the mistletoe?
Nobody is sure! Holly's "kissing balls" can be traced back to medieval England, where people kissed under them to promote romance or friendship. The Celtic Druids considered mistletoe to be a symbol of cheerfulness, because this hardy plant could bloom even in dark winters. The idea of mistletoe ball kisses can also be found in Norse mythology, where the goddess Frigga is said to kiss anyone who stands underneath her. Regardless of its true origin, mistletoe is a long tradition with deep roots in many cultures.
Why is KFC popular during Christmas in Japan?
Celebrating Christmas is a relatively new tradition in Japan. While it's not a federal holiday, the Japanese families who host it have a unique way to celebrate it - with a bucket of fried chicken!
Since there was no traditional Christmas meal in history, fast food company Kentucky Fried Chicken came up with a bold idea: Christmas in Kentucky. And so a strange new tradition was born. Fried chicken has since become a popular holiday staple, and KFC mascot Colonel Sanders even dresses up as Santa Claus!
Why do people put cucumbers on the Christmas tree?
Would you hide a pickled cucumber on the Christmas tree? This strange American tradition has several origin stories, but the means remain the same: a decorative pickle-shaped ornament is hidden inside the Christmas tree before Christmas morning for children to find. Whoever finds it first will receive a special gift. This is sure to make your slower siblings turn green with envy!
