Unpacking Your Favorite Christmas Traditions (The Drew Mariani Show)

Got a special family tradition that makes the season extra merry? ✨   Drew sat down with storyteller Ace Collins to spill the tea on how some of our most beloved Christmas traditions got started. It’s a sleigh ride through history that’ll make you appreciate that tree in your living room a little more. 🎄   Christmas Trees: From Eden to Your Living Room   Did you know? Christmas trees weren’t always the cozy, twinkly centerpiece of our homes.   Origins: Back in the day, they were "Creation Trees" set up outdoors by the Catholic Church in Eastern Europe to represent the Garden of Eden.   Winter Warriors: In Scandinavia, evergreens were a symbol of life when everything else was frosty. Christian missionaries like Boniface flipped the script and made them symbols of faith that never dies.   Indoor Evolution: By the 1500s, Latvians said, "Let’s bring the party inside!" They even hung their trees upside down for a while: practical or just weird? You decide. 😅   🍭 Deck the Halls: What’s the Deal With All the Decorations?   Tree Bling: Back then, people used handmade goodies like straw wreaths. Pinterest moms would’ve thrived. 😍   Colorful Ornaments: Germans jazzed things up with glass ornaments in faith-filled colors:   🔴 Red = Christ’s blood   ⚪ White = Purity   🟡 Gold = Divine Light   Wreath Goals: Those circles of evergreen? They’re all about eternal life. Add some red ribbons for Christ’s sacrifice, and voila: a mini sermon on your door.   ✨ Let There Be Light!   Candles to Twinkles: They started with candles (yikes for fire hazards), but electric lights took over after WWII. Now we’ve got lights that sync to music!   Fake It ‘Til You Make It: The first artificial trees popped up in New York in the 1880s, made from feathers: because apparently, the demand for real trees was nuts.   🎶 What’s Christmas Without Music and Mirth?   Traditions may evolve, but the heart of Christmas is timeless. From singing carols to baking Jesus a birthday cake (yes, this is a thing and it’s awesome), there’s something beautiful about keeping it simple. 🎂✨   No matter what your traditions look like, remember this: Christmas decorations, trees, and all those little touches are more than just pretty: they’re reminders of hope and faith in a chaotic world.   So, what’s your favorite Christmas tradition? Share it!     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.