Celebrating Christmas: Old and new Christmas traditions
Christmas is undoubtedly the happiest time of the year for most people. The pre-Christmas season begins in late November or early December. From this point on, many people decorate their homes and gardens with colourful lights and cute Christmas figurines, light a new candle on their Advent wreath every Sunday, fill their homes with the smell of freshly baked cookies, and enjoy a new surprise from their Advent calendar every day. The crowning glory is the Christmas holidays, which we celebrate with our loved ones. But where do these Christmas traditions actually come from? And are there ways to celebrate Christmas differently this year?
Where do our most popular Christmas traditions come from?
From hanging mistletoe in doorways to decorating Christmas trees and celebrating with elaborate Christmas dinners, Christmas is defined by traditions that bring people together. These include shared meals, joyful music and simple acts of kindness. From the sparkle of the Christmas tree to the sound of carols, Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate and enjoy spending time with your family. But where did some of the most popular Christmas traditions even come from?
Christmas trees
One of the highlights of Christmas is the Christmas tree, which is widely recognised as one of the most iconic symbols of the festive season. They are commonly put up in people’s living rooms or market squares. This Christmas tradition supposedly originated from early church services. When the biblical story of Adam and Eve was first enacted, a tree was used to represent the 'tree of paradise' bearing apples. Over time, decorating a green tree with red baubles has become a tradition.
Advent wreaths
The four candles of an Advent wreath are lit one by one over the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. This practice is seen by some as a countdown to Christmas. Once all four candles have been lit, Christmas is just around the corner. In 1839, a Hamburg pastor invented the first Advent wreath and gave it to orphans so they would know when Christmas was being celebrated. Initially, 24 candles were used, but this has since been reduced to four to mark the four Sundays of Advent.
Christmas markets
Christmas markets are a great way to get into the festive spirit. You can try mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and buy some regional Christmas decorations. One of the oldest Christmas markets is probably the Dresdner Striezelmarkt, which dates back to 1434. This means that we have been enjoying this festive tradition for around 600 years! Back then, the people of Dresden were able to stock up supplies before Christmas and buy meat for the festive roast. Even today you can buy regional products at Christmas markets and enjoy spending time with family and friends in the festive atmosphere.
New Christmas traditions: Alternative ways to celebrate Christmas
Old Christmas traditions are invaluable, but introducing some new ideas can breathe new life into old traditions and inspire you to try something new. Read on for some suggestions on how to celebrate Christmas a little differently this year:
Fancy a festive giggle? Try wearing an “ugly Christmas jumper”
Why not start Christmas with a big grin on your face? An ugly Christmas jumper has become a modern-day Christmas tradition. Spread some Christmas cheer with these fun, festive jumpers that are sure to raise a laugh. Complete your outfit with a festive headband or pair of funny Christmas glasses to take some unique photos and forget the Christmas stress in no time.
How to enjoy Christmas without getting stressed
During the Christmas season, many people tend to focus more on spending time with family and friends. Some like to go on holiday, while others prefer to celebrate at home. The important thing is that everyone can relax and enjoy spending time with their loved ones. Almost every household has a tradition for Christmas dinner, but preparing and cooking everything can be stressful. However, if everyone helps prepare the meal or brings something over for Christmas dinner, this can make things easier. The important thing is to make time for family and friends and enjoy this wonderful time of year together.
A new approach to exchanging Christmas gifts
The way we give Christmas gifts is also changing. Many families have decided to give fewer, more meaningful and higher-quality presents. Here are a few ideas for exchanging gifts to create a unique and fun experience:
Secret Santa: This fun Christmas tradition is ideal for large groups or families. The names of the family members are written on individual pieces of paper, folded up and put into a hat or a bowl. Everyone then draws a name and buys a present for that person. This makes Christmas shopping easier as each person only needs to get one present.
Focused gift-giving: Everyone takes turns opening their presents. This slows down the process, meaning everyone takes their time to enjoy unwrapping them and seeing what they have got.
Group gifts: Get together as a group and buy one larger, more useful present for each person, which helps to reduce waste and ensures that everyone receives a gift they will cherish.
Make a note of the gifts you want to buy for your family and friends throughout the year to help you avoid stress in the run-up to Christmas.
Christmas crafts with children
Crafting, decorating, baking biscuits – the Christmas season offers you many wonderful opportunities to get creative with your child. For example, you can make cute Christmas decorations together. In our article, you will find various ideas for Christmas crafts with children that are easy to do and guaranteed to create a festive atmosphere.
Baking Christmas biscuits with children
One of the best Christmas traditions is baking biscuits together. Baking delicious little treats and then decorating them during Advent is a great way to spend time with your children. We will therefore show you what to bear in mind when baking with children and share some simple and delicious recipes that you can easily bake yourself.
Making a homemade Advent calendar
Advent calendars make the countdown to Christmas Eve sweeter for many children and adults. Homemade Advent calendars are becoming increasingly popular because they can be reused and the contents can be customised. In the following article we will show you three different ideas for homemade Advent calendars that you can make in no time at all.
Make some homemade Christmas cards to send your Christmas wishes
If you can’t visit family and friends this Christmas, why not send them a Christmas card with your seasonal greetings? Homemade cards are much more special than store-bought ones. The following article contains various DIY ideas for homemade Christmas cards with step-by-step instructions on how to make them, including a lovingly designed “Winter Wonderland” card. We will also give you some tips on how to safely send Christmas presents by mail.
Upcycling for Christmas
When sorting through your winter clothes, you will often find jumpers that are worn out, don't fit as well as they used to, or that you simply don't like as much as you used to. If you want to free up some space in your wardrobe without feeling guilty, you can turn old knitted jumpers into great Christmas decorations! The following article provides ideas for upcycling knitted jumpers and woollen scarves. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to make modern little Christmas trees out of an old jumper.
Making homemade Christmas presents
Christmas gifts don't have to be expensive to be heartfelt. Homemade gifts can bring great joy to your loved ones without costing a fortune. We therefore present a variety of simple craft ideas for making beautiful homemade Christmas gifts. Using simple materials and a little time, you can create a very personal gift for your loved ones.
How to wrap Christmas presents creatively
If you want your Christmas presents to really stand out under the tree, you need to wrap them properly. In this article, we will share some useful tips on how to wrap gifts. Whether you have a round gift, a shapeless gift, or would like to wrap up some clothes, you will find tips and step-by-step instructions on how to wrap every type of gift. We will also show you how to decorate your gifts creatively.
Christmas present ideas for children
Christmas is the most important family celebration and all children look forward to unwrapping their presents under the Christmas tree long in advance. If you are still looking for the right Christmas present, you will find some suggestions and ideas in our article that are tailored to children of different ages. This way, you are guaranteed to make children's eyes light up at Christmas.
Festive activities and games for kids
Fun Christmas games and activities for the whole family are a great idea to prevent boredom during the festive season. This article provides creative indoor and outdoor activity ideas for children of all ages that are sure to be great fun. We will also show you some entertaining Christmas games.
Christmas family photos: tips and creative ideas
Taking family photos is simply part of Christmas, and these photos make wonderful keepsakes. They also make lovely motifs for personal Christmas cards and are a great gift idea for your loved ones. But how can you ensure your Christmas photo shoot really captures the festive spirit? Read our article for creative ideas and practical tips to help you take the perfect family photo this Christmas.
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Sources and further information:
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/christmas-traditions-from-history
(Last accessed on 16.10.2025)
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Christmas
(Last accessed on 16.10.2025)
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/how-christmas-has-evolved-over-centuries
(Last accessed on 16.10.2025)
https://www.rd.com/list/history-of-christmas-traditions/
(Last accessed on 16.10.2025)
The image sources in this text are in chronological order:
Cover photo: iStock.com/AleksandarNakic
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