Listen to Alan Turing’s First Computer-Generated Christmas Carols
In 1951, the BBC played two carols from Turing’s computer, which have now been recreated by New Zealand researchers
The Enduring Romance of Mistletoe, a Parasite Named After Bird Poop
Nine things you should know about our favorite Christmas plant
President Lincoln’s Last Christmas
The character of American Christmas changed as a result of the Civil War
Why Iceland’s Christmas Witch Is Much Cooler (and Scarier) Than Krampus
With roots dating back to the 13th century, Gryla is not to be messed with
This Cult Classic Christmas Special Is Quintessential Jim Henson
Although it features few of the usual Muppets, ‘Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas’ brings the holiday spirit to the whole family
The Weird Story of the FBI and ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’
The film supposedly had Communistic tendencies
In World War II America, Female Santas Took the Reins
Rosie the Riveter wasn’t the only woman who pitched in on the homefront
12 Facts About ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’
Amaze and astound your loved ones with these pieces of carol trivia
This Holiday Season, Make Merry in a Museum
From heavenly light shows to diabolical dollhouses, the Smithsonian’s winter exhibitions offer something for everyone
A Plea to Resurrect the Christmas Tradition of Telling Ghost Stories
Though the practice is now more associated with Halloween, spooking out your family is well within the Christmas spirit
Christmas at the Smithsonian’s Dolls’ House Includes All the Trimmings—in Miniature
It’s ‘Deck the Halls’ with Christmas cheer at the beloved Victorian-style dollhouse at the National Museum of American History
Catch a Rare Viewing of Robert Frost’s Cheery, Dreary, Dark Christmas Cards
The poet’s annual Christmas cards, made in compilation with printer Joe Blumenthal, were not necessarily traditional, but they were always beautiful
The Un-Christmassy Origin of Gingerbread Houses
This tradition dates back to the story of Hansel and Gretel
Is This St. Nicolas’ Pelvis Bone?
Oxford researchers have determined that a bone fragment purportedly from St. Nicholas comes from the same century in which he died
Colombia Begins the Christmas Season With These Beautiful Light Displays
Día de las Velitas is celebrated on the day before the celebration of the Immaculate Conception
The Creator of Sherlock Holmes Was, Like Many Victorians, Fascinated by Mormons
The first story featuring iconic detective Sherlock Holmes, ‘A Study in Scarlet,’ was published on this day in 1887—and set in Mormon Utah
Who Really Wrote “Merry Christmas, Baby”
The co-author of a classic holiday song still can’t catch a break
Turkey Claims It’s Found Saint Nicholas’ Crypt
Archaeologists say the body was not stolen by crusaders in the 11th century and is still located below a church in Demre
Why the Japanese Eat Cake For Christmas
A tradition beginning in war and ending in cake
Why Do People Tell Ghost Stories on Christmas?
Christmas ghost stories are a tradition going back much farther than “A Christmas Carol”
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