Holiday Traditions

Anyone who laments the excesses of Christmas might consider the Puritans of colonial Massachusetts: they simply outlawed the holiday. The Puritans had their reasons, since Christmas was once an occasion for drunkenness and riot, when poor "wassailers" extorted food and drink from the well-to-do. In this intriguing and innovative work of social history, Stephen Nissenbaum rediscovers Christmas's carnival origins and shows how it was transformed, during the nineteenth century, into a festival of domesticity and consumerism.

Discover a magical way to count down to Christmas. This enchanting Advent storybook brings together 24 Christmas tales—a blend of timeless classics, world legends, and gentle retellings crafted especially for young readers and families who love reading together. From snowy adventures and kind-hearted heroes to ancient traditions from around the globe, each story is designed to light up December nights with wonder. Whether your children read on their own or still love bedtime read-alouds, these stories turn every evening into a cherished family ritual. Inside you’ll find: • Adapted ...

Step into the rhythm of the seasons and discover how ancient traditions can bring meaning, balance, and joy to modern life. Celebrating the Wheel of the Year: Modern Pagan Holidays, Traditions, and Rituals for Every Season is a complete guide to the eight Sabbats - Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon - and the practices that surround them. Written for both beginners and experienced seekers, this book shows you how to honor nature’s cycles with rituals, seasonal crafts, family-friendly activities, and mindful reflections that make every celebration your own. ...

Though Halloween today is largely known for its commercialized customs of costumes, candy, and carved pumpkins, its origins trace back more than 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain. Celebrated by ancient Celts in the lands that are now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the colder, darker half of the year.

Have you ever wondered if your favorite Christmas traditions are more pagan than Christian? Do you question what a decorated tree, Santa Claus, and gift-giving have to do with the birth of Jesus? Every year, as lights go up and carols play, questions arise about the true meaning of Christmas. We’re told our traditions were borrowed from pagans, that Santa was created by Coca-Cola, and that the entire celebration is more about shopping than salvation. But what is the real story? The Holy Night: The Sacred History of Christmas Through the Ages is a captivating journey that debunks the myths...

For years Foreigners always tried to decode and understand Filipina habits and their actions. Most relay on hear say and end up divorcing or getting scammed. This book is written to give you information to understand Filipinas. From where it all began with a short history, Traits that were instilled by colonizers,changes of traditions and culture thru time,81 bare it all questions that might be running in your head asked by foreigners such as "why does a Filipina keep a Filipino boyfriend even if she has a foreign Boyfriend who supports her?"and many more that were answered by the author ...

Once fall hits and the chilly weather settles in, the holiday season has begun! And nothing embodies holiday spirit more than the continuing of family traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. May it be sharing stories at the dinner table, laughs on the porch, or just time spent alone - everyone has their own ritual. Join Dana Cowin, author and former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine, as she chats with some of today’s most popular chefs and food personalities.

An empty nest. A house full of memories. A husband with his own dreams. And one Christmas that could change everything. For Judith Winters, the holidays have always meant family—laughter, traditions, and a tree covered with ornaments that hold treasured memories. But this year, for the first time, not one of her children or grandchildren will be home. With only her husband, Stan, for company, Judith finds herself unable to rekindle any of the holiday joy that once flowed so easily. Then, while unpacking what Stan nicknamed the “ugly ornaments,” Judith is reminded of the past in ways ...

The holly-jolly holidays aren’t for everyone, least of all when you look back on that one Christmas when there were two definitely haunted dolls waiting for you and your sister under the tree. You have to assume that’s where it all started. And so it was for Jenny Lawson. Now, she lives in the land of eternal Halloween, as evidenced by her interior decor and general state of darkness. (Although, if you ask her, her taxidermy zoo is less dark, more delightful. But not everyone has taste, so what are you going to do?)

In this widely popular, exciting story for the advent season, listeners follow 10-year-old Jotham across Israel as he searches for his family. Though he faces thieves, robbers, and kidnappers, Jotham also encounters the wise men, shepherds, and innkeepers until at last he finds his way to the Savior born in Bethlehem.

Classic, charming, and magical… take on a whole new meaning this Christmas! Cade Pruitt had only two things he loved – his car and the holidays. After repeated failed relationships, he had given up dating until a ‘sled’ rolled right through a stop sign, careening into his 1932 Ford Coupe – and his world. Holly Beary was done with dating ‘guys’ and wanted a real man in her life. Someone who would fight for her, woo her, and sweep her right off her feet. Where were all the knights in shining armor and why on earth was the man in the ‘rust-bucket’ now losing his cool in the ...

This enchanting collection features 51 original bedtime stories that wrap little ones in warmth, wonder, and yuletide joy. From giggling snowflakes and whispering trees to magical mittens and reindeer footprints, each tale is lovingly crafted to inspire imagination, soothe busy minds, and bring families closer during the most magical season of all.

The countdown to Christmas has never been scarier than in this internationally bestselling holiday horror novel from Per Jacobsen. Hoping to bring his family closer together, Adam Gray arranges a vacation in a remote cabin on a snowy mountain. Things take a dark turn, however, when someone...

Dive into the heart of tradition and celebration with your next great read The Spirit of Festivities. Brimming with tales of jamboree and heritage, this new eBook invites you to explore China's rich and vibrant festival culture with its profound meanings and unique customs, straight from the comfort of your home. Chapter by chapter, this comprehensive guide takes you on a rich journey through Chinese celebrations – from the colorful Spring Festival that heralds new beginnings, through to the glowing Harvest Moon Festival, and even to international celebrations of Chinese New Year. The ...

Theodora is the matriarch of a family that has grown into a bunch of truculent knuckleheads. While she's finally gotten them all together in South Carolina to celebrate, this Christmas looks nothing like the extravagant, homey holidays of her childhood. What happened to the days when Christmas...

"Deck the Halls: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas" Get ready to make this holiday season your most magical yet with Deck the Halls: The Ultimate Guide to Christmas! This all-in-one festive companion takes you on a journey through the history and heart of Christmas, exploring the origins of cherished traditions and the fascinating ways it’s celebrated around the globe. Discover delicious recipes for holiday sweet treats and drinks and find inspiration for thoughtful gift-giving with creative ideas that will delight everyone on your list. Learn how to transform your home into a winter ...

Not so very long ago, Yuletide was as much a chilling season of ghosts and witches as it was a festival of goodwill. In The Old Magic of Christmas, you'll rub elbows with veiled spirits, learn the true perils of elves, and discover a bestiary of enchanted creatures. Rife with the more frightful characters from folklore and the season's most petulant ghosts, this book takes you on a spooky sleigh ride from the silvered firs of a winter forest to the mirrored halls of the Snow Queen.

The night she came back to Winter Haven, I should’ve killed her. But instead, I made her my prisoner. Vera was mine before she betrayed me. Now she claims our child is alive—the child she said was stillborn. I’m torn between the man I must be and the monster I’ve become. I want to make her suffer. I want to tear her apart. But in the cold, the heat between us won’t die. Every kiss drags me deeper, every glance sets me on fire. The line between revenge and desire blurs with every minute we’re together. She’s hiding something, and I’ll use her body to get the truth. I’ll ...

This book highlights diverse Christmas traditions from various countries on every continent. Curl up by a cozy fire and go for a virtual sleigh ride around the world. You will delight in learning about our world's rich and varied holiday traditions.

Former secretary of education and New York Times bestselling author William Bennett blends his historical expertise with his gift for storytelling into a heartwarming book about the man who ultimately became known as Santa Claus. Beloved writer and speaker William Bennett brings the legendary...