List of Christmas Customs & Descriptions of Symbols
Symbols and Meanings |
| Advent calendar Symbols and Meanings | A special calendar used to count the days of Advent up to Christmas. |
| Advent Wreath Symbols and Meanings | An evergreen wreath with four candles that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent |
| Angels Symbols and Meanings | Angels brought the news of the birth of Jesus Christ |
| Baubles Symbols and Meanings | Inexpensive decoration or ornament for the tree |
| Bells Symbols and Meanings | Bells are rung at Christmas to announce and celebrate the birth of Jesus. |
| Boxing Day Symbols and Meanings | The 26th December is referred to as Boxing Day. Name derives from Christmas gifts for the poor were put into church boxes |
| Candles Symbols and Meanings | In Christianity a candle is a symbol that represents the light of God or the light of Christ. |
| Candy Canes Symbols and Meanings | Sugar sticks, shaped like a "J" for Jesus and colored red and white |
| Cards Symbols and Meanings | Greetings cards sent to friends and family conveying the sentiments of Christmas |
| Carols Symbols and Meanings | Hymns sung at Christmas celebrating the Nativity |
| Christmas Eve | The 24th December when Santa delivers presents to children |
| Christingle Symbols and Meanings | A lighted candle dressed with red ribbon used in advent services in many Christian churches. Make a Christingle |
| Christmas Cactus Symbols and Meanings | This Cactus, also known as Orchid Cactus is in full bloom at Christmas |
| Christmas Kettle Symbols and Meanings | The Salvation Army's most famous street campaign where donations are collected in red kettles |
| Christmas Tree Symbols and Meanings | An artificial or living pine tree decorated with ornaments and lights |
| Christmas village (or putz) | A miniature village or row of houses, used as a colorful light and decoration |
| Chocolate Coins Symbols and Meanings | Stocking stuffers or tree decorations wrapped in gold foil representing the gift of gold given by the 3 wise men from the East |
| Colors Symbols and Meanings | White, red, gold and green |
| Cookies | Biscuits baked in festive shapes - Cookies are left with milk for Santa Claus |
| Crackers Symbols and Meanings | Table decorations consisting of a brightly colored cardboard tube which is pulled by 2 people. The cracker contains a paper hat, joke, small gift or trinket. |
| Crown Symbols and Meanings | Worn at festive dinners - included in crackers |
| Decorations Symbols and Meanings | Images or characters associated with the festive season used to decorate trees and the interiors of stores and homes |
| Egg nog | Festive drink made with milk, cream, sugar and beaten eggs |
| Father Christmas | Alternative name to Santa Claus used in the UK and many Commonwealth countries |
| Flowers Symbols and Meanings | Various plants and flowers used to decorate churches and homes including the Christmas cactus and rose |
| Garland Symbols and Meanings | Decoration of evergreen branches, holly leaves and decorations which are hung on the mantelpiece. |
| Gifts Symbols and Meanings | Traditional Gift-giving on 25 December or 6 January |
| Gingerbread House | Originally based on the Gingerbread House featured in the Hansel and Gretel fairy tale |
| Holly Symbols and Meanings | Evergreen plant used to decorate homes |
| Ivy Symbols and Meanings | Evergreen plant used to decorate homes |
| Jesse Tree Symbols and Meanings | A poster or a real tree in the church or home, which over the course of Advent & decorated with symbols to represent stories |
| Jingle Bells | Inexpensive bells, making similar sounds to sleigh bells, used on Christmas decorations or as Christmas ornaments |
| Lights Symbols and Meanings | Lights used to decorate homes, streets and stores |
| Magi Symbols and Meanings | The 3 wise men from the East who brought gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh |
| Mince pies | Traditional sweet food eaten at Christmas |
| Mistletoe Symbols and Meanings | Evergreen plant used to decorate homes. Custom of kissing under the mistletoe |
| Nativity Plays - Symbols and Meanings | Plays, often performed by young children, depicting the birth of Jesus as described in the gospels of Matthew and Luke |
| Ornaments Symbols and Meanings | Small decorations often made of ceramics, glass, metal or wood that are used to festoon a Christmas tree. |
| Parades | American street parades featuring the characters and icons of Christmas |
| Pinecones Symbols and Meanings | Pinecones used as decorations and ornaments, often painted gold and silver |
| Plum Pudding | Traditional sweet food eaten at Christmas |
| Poinsettias Symbols and Meanings | Plants which originated in Mexico |
| Reindeer | Animal associated with winter snow and Santa Claus |
| Rose Symbols and Meanings | Christmas Rose (Serissa) is also known as the Snow Rose or Winter Rose |
| Santa Claus Symbols and Meanings | A character, based on the legend of the gift-giving Saint Nicholas, believed to deliver presents and gifts on his magical flying sleigh pulled by Reindeers |
| Seals Symbols and Meanings | Christmas Seals are labels placed on mail during the festive season |
| Snow Globe | A snow globe is a glass sphere enclosing a miniaturized scene. When you shake the globe it 'snows' |
| Stamps | Many nations of the world issue Christmas stamps to accompany seasonal greeting cards |
| Stars Symbols and Meanings | Five pointed stars symbolise the Nativity |
| Stockings Symbols and Meanings | Traditionally stockings are filled with gifts and given to children |
| Tinsel | Thin silver metallic foil strips used to decorate or ornament a tree. |
| Tree Symbols and Meanings | Evergreen pine trees decorated with Christmas ornaments |
| Wassailing Symbols and Meanings | Singing carols from door to door. "Wassail" is an olde English word for a toast similar to "Good Health" and the wassail is the content of the glass or goblet ( spiced or mulled wine or ale) |
| Wreath Symbols and Meanings | Circular decoration of evergreen branches, holly leaves and decorations which are hung on front doors |
| Yule Log Symbols and Meanings | A large wooden log which is burned in the hearth |
| 12 Days of Christmas Symbols and Meanings | The festive days beginning on Christmas Day (December 25) through to the evening of the Twelfth Day of Christmas, (January 5). |
| Three Wise Men Symbols and Meanings | The three wise men from the East who brought gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh |
List of Christmas Customs & Descriptions of Symbols
Symbols and Meanings |
