When you think of Christmas, do you wonder about the folklore behind the symbols of the season? Is the candy cane just a delicious treat, or is there a legend lying beneath the candy coated sweetness? What about the Twelve Days of Christmas and mistletoe –what myths could possibly live beneath the surface?

Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States was the first president to bring the tradition of the Christmas tree to the White House.

Calvin Coolidge started the National Christmas Tree lighting in 1923.

What would Santa be without his reindeer, especially the most famous reindeer of all? The story of Rudolph was written in 1939, by Robert May, an advertising copywriter for Montgomery Ward in Chicago. May was given the task of designing a promotional that would be distributed by Santa to customers. He wrote the story of Rudolph, in rhyming couplets, which he read to his daughter. He grappled with the name, thinking Reginald sounded too British and Rollo too comical. He decided on Rudolph, which was the preference of his four year old daughter. He got the idea of this reindeer being picked on by its herd from the story of the Ugly Duckling. An artist friend of May's, Denver Gillen, after observing reindeer at rest and at play at the local zoo, created the character we know and love today.

hi, yes a lot of food for thought there, i'll get the cobs webs removed and remember some of the answers, i did have them but that was years ago and the brain cells have deteriated since then , will get back to you with a few ideas,                                                                                                                                                                              

  Thro my letter box I got the church pamplet and in it was The Twelve Days of Christmas and what each gift represents     The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.   Two turtle doves were the old and new testaments.   Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.   Four calling birds were the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.   Five gold rings recalled the first five books of the old testament.   Six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.   Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit, prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, contribution, leadership and mercy.   Eight maids a-milking  were the eight beatitudes.   Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, love joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.   Ten Lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.   Eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven disciples.   Twelve drummers drumming symbolised the twelve statements of belief in the Apostles’ creed.                                                                                                                                                                                 

  PML that should be 'pamphlet' I dropped me aitch lol                                                                                                                                                                             

pity Cassie aint on anymore as she'd probably have all the answers - however, the Christians nicked the old winter/pagan festival & turned all the 'celebrations' of that festival into 'christian' meanings. So the original Christmas folklore, myths & legends probably have more to do with the 'old' celebrations rather than the 'new' Christian celebrations (if you see what I mean!  )                                                                                                                                                                             

You're all wrong - Santa isn't a story, he's a REAL man!!                                                                                                                                                                             

Father Christmas as we know him today was the brain child of the ad guys at Coca Cola lol                                                                                                                                                                             

  Erm..... that is disputable BJ.... lots of differing views and opinions on that one....

TC like many things appertaining to xmas me thinks lol i think that ones funny                                                                                                                                                                              

I think it's crazy how people believe in the existence of mystical stuff like Santa Claus, the Bogeyman, the Loch ness monster, the clitoris....                                                                                                                                                                             

* note to self get TC copy of the 'Joy of Sex' lol                                                                                                                                                                             

all humbug roll on sunny bikeing days                                                                                                                                                                             

Not so crazy TC - I've seen Santa Claus, the Bogeyman, and the Loch Ness monster...                                                                                                                                                                             

Beware of rather large man with rosy cheeks & big white beard,dressed in red outfit asking if you want to see his baubles

He`s probably on a sex-offenders register in your area.
                                                                                                                                                                             

Do you not think we are giving kids mixed messages?   We tell them not to talk to strangers and certainly not to take gifts from them, yet once a year if they see a strange man in their room leaving them presents we tell them "don't...say...a...word...."                                                                                                                                                                             

Does he come into your room then ?   Should i make sure my hair is ok ?