Read Our Blogs
What are your holiday traditions?
I bet you have some fine family traditions that are customary at your house to help you celebrate the holidays. Have these changed or grown over the years with the addition of new family members?
What family traditions do you maintain this time of year?
Bon Bon Crackers in British Colonies
One of the customs in Australia that I enjoyed was the Christmas Crackers. Some here in the USA make these themselves for holiday parties.
The Parasite of Love: Mistletoe in America
One of my first big money making enterprises consisted of selling mistletoe in front of our local grocery store when I was a kid. We cut the mistletoe (oak tree fungus) and sold it to happy holiday shoppers! When the store manager asked what our cause was, as you needed a cause to be allowed to "solicit" in front of this store, I replied "Gifts for needy children at Christmas" and that was true, of course we were the needy children, my little sister and I.
Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that attaches to and penetrate the branches of a tree or shrub by a structure called the haustorium, through which they absorb water and nutrients from the host plant.The tradition of hanging it in the house goes back to the times of the ancient Druids. It is supposed to possess mystical powers which bring good luck to the household and wards off evil spirits. It was also used as a sign of love and friendship in Norse mythology and that's where the custom of kissing under Mistletoe comes from.
Papai Noel Wears Silk in Brazil
Swahili on Kwanzaa
On December 26th African Americans celebrate with Kwanzaa, a holiday that originated at the time of the civil rights movement in the 1960's and is in commemoration of African heritage. Created as a ritual for harvest time and using the language Swahili, Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red and green candles which symbolize the seven basic values of the African Americans family life that is unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
La Posades in Arizona
They follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.
Festival of Lights - Hanukkah
Light up The White House
In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree with Christmas ornaments is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.
A Putz in PA
In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.
You better be good I'm tellin' ya why!
Do you string popcorn and cranberries to make a garland? Do you decorate a tree with tinsel, baubles and candy canes? Do you sing Christmas Carols? Do you enjoy turkey or pumpkin pie?
If you are a young family just starting out, we hope you will carry on the traditions of those who went before you, and possibly a blend from both family backgrounds to start your own.
Whatever traditions you hold dear, we wish you a holiday season overflowing with family friends and fun from Virginia State Parks!
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.