Boxing Day has its origins in the Middle Ages and had nothing to do with post-Christmas sales. It is facing further change with the popularity of online shopping.
Australia has nearly 100 mistletoe species and they’re the source of plenty of magic and mystery. We even have a couple with their own home-grown associations with Christmas.
The story of Martin Luther starting the tradition is a myth; the real story started 350 years later – and presents were popularised by savvy booksellers.
When British colonials came to Australia, they stuck to their winter Christmas traditions of roast meats and plum puddings. But over the centuries, Australians found their own ways to celebrate.
In Australia, between 1930 and 1950, women repeatedly stepped in to play the role of Santa. So the figure in the red suit could be gender neutral today.
The annual Dec. 5 tradition sees performers don blackface and afro wigs. But a growing number of Dutch citizens believe it’s time to wave goodbye to Black Pete.
Both natural and artificial Christmas trees have environmental impacts, but they’re not major. What matters most is what happens to the trees after the holidays.