Why Easter is called Easter, and other little-known facts about the holiday
A scholar explains the rich historical roots of Easter and how it has evolved over the centuries.
Academic rigour, journalistic flair
Articles on Christmas
Displaying 1 - 20 of 122 articles
M&S figures flatter the high street
Two High Street titans look like they are travelling different paths, but watch out for trouble in 2017.
What will all the ‘stuff’ you own mean when you’re older?
Which objects would you choose to tell the story of your life?
What the magi had in common with scientists
Even the sceptical can admire the determination of the wise men.
Heart attack deaths more likely at Christmas
Christmas holidays can be a risky time for both your bank balance and your state of mind, but there is also some evidence indicating you are at higher risk of a heart attack or stroke.
Friday essay: Christmas poetry – a reflection
The beauty and delicacy of the Christmas story become in our consumerist hands a recipe for crassness and sentimentality. No surprise then, that poets are drawn to try to rescue it.
A very diplomatic Christmas: how to avoid a coup at the dinner table this year
Politics and religion at the dinner table, over Christmas with all the relatives – what could possibly go wrong?
Switched-on city: how London learned to love Christmas lights
But they haven't been without controversy.
Uncovering the language of the first Christmas
The nativity offers an enticing opportunity to discover how words and interpretations have shaped the story and our understanding of it.
How to avoid an argument about inequality over the Christmas turkey
A guide to steering your family away from a dialogue of the deaf about poverty and inequality this festive season.
How the American Civil War cemented modern Christmas traditions
Christmas tends to assume a strong sense of its own significance in times of protracted conflict.
How TV channels are selling themselves this Christmas
From that gay kiss to dragon slaying, festive TV adverts speak volumes about the broadcasters.
Air pollution expert: why Christmas may be the most toxic day of the year
Party poppers, candles and wood fires will get you feeling festive – and breathing pollution.
The busy Romans needed a mid-winter break too … and it lasted for 24 days
We've always needed a party to look forward to in the bleak midwinter.
Your child probably knows the truth about Santa – they’re playing along for the presents
Kids as young as seven have a good enough sense of logic to work out the truth and why it can be better to lie.
Five ways Christmas affects your brain
The festive season is an intense time of year. Neuroscience can shed some light on what it does to our brains.
Scandinavian winters of old were less hygge, more Nordic Noir
When it's dark all the time you never know who might want to come to the Christmas party.
Food security and why Christmas dinner is in peril
From turkeys to salmon and brussels sprouts, modern living is putting mounting pressure on the festive feast.
Christmas stuffing: here’s what happens to your body when you overeat
We usually consume about three times the necessary daily calories over the Christmas period.
Tofu turkey? Paleo feast? Christmas culinary traditions are ever changing
Christmas foods are evolving. Purists may sniff but what are traditional foods other than past trends that have stuck?
Top contributors
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Director, Centre for Employee and Consumer Wellbeing; Senior lecturer, Deakin Business School, Deakin University
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Lecturer in Critical Thinking, The University of Queensland
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Associate Professor of Ancient History and Classical Languages, University of Newcastle
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Professor of Organisational Behaviour, Cass Business School, City, University of London
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Senior Lecturer in Chemistry, University of Birmingham
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Chancellor's Professor of Medicine, Liberal Arts, and Philanthropy, Indiana University
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Lecturer in Communication, University of Technology Sydney
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Professor of Computer Science and Provost/CEO/PVC, University of Nottingham
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Professor of Work and Organisation, University of Essex
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Senior Research Associate, Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University
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Research fellow in English Literature, Deakin University
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PhD Research Student, History & Philosophy of Science, University of Melbourne
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Associate Professor in International Business & Strategic Management, University of Melbourne
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Teaching Fellow, Royal Holloway
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Associate Professor, Queensland University of Technology
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