Holiday Traditions

Bestselling author Michael Foley dives deep into the history of Christmas and the customs that surround this beloved holiday. Learn about the fascinating origins of your favorite Christmas food, drink, observances, and songs. Discover how Saint Nicolas, a fourth-century Catholic bishop, became Santa Clause and who Santa’s global competitors are (some of them will shock you). And dig into the forbidden history of the Yuletide season’s dark and ghoulish side.

Christmas is coming! Bells jingle, sleds dash through the snow, trees are topped with sparkling stars, and children everywhere dream of candy canes and presents. But the best gift of all - the most magical gift of the season - is when we spend Christmas with those we love.

The History of Santa Claus is a book that you will want to listen to again and again before passing it on to your children so that they’ll know the true identity of Saint Nicholas and what he has really been up to for so many centuries. You and your family will learn how Santa Claus has been influenced by dozens of diverse cultural influences in as many countries while nevertheless being embraced as the kindly figure named Saint Nick.

A vacation in the Greek Islands will cast a magical spell. It'll take you weeks to recover from! Passport to European Travel Guides offers this comprehensive yet quick and concise five-day guide to Santorini - one of the most beautiful locales on Earth!

In this hilariously irreverent collection of essays, Jen Mann, nationally best-selling author of People I Want to Punch in the Throat, turns her mordant wit on the holidays. On Mann's naughty list: mothers who go way overboard with their Elf on the Shelf, overzealous carolers who can't take a hint, and people who write their Christmas cards in the third person ("Joyce is enjoying Bunko. Yeah, Joyce, we know you wrote this letter."). And on her nice list...well, she's working on that one.

Christmas Day is a time of celebration for many people all around the world. Those who celebrate it see it as a joyous time. But Christmas is celebrated in many different ways in different countries. One country has a feast known as "reveillon". In another country people like to go to the beach on Christmas Day! Can you guess which countries these are?

Indigenous Peoples' Day is about celebrating! The second Monday in October is a day to honor Native American people, their histories, and cultures. People mark the day with food, dancing, and songs. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Juneteenth celebrates the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Across the country, people observe the day with speeches, poetry readings, festivals, picnics, street fairs, and family reunions. It is a day for people to come together and continue working toward equality.

Kwanzaa is about celebrating! It honors African American heritage. Some people mark the holiday by lighting the kinara. Families and friends gather to eat a big feast. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Día de los Muertos is a special holiday to remember and celebrate loved ones. It is a Mexican tradition held to honor those who have died. Some people dress up and go to parades. Others sing, dance, and eat special food. Others decorate altars with flowers and make offerings. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Chinese New Year is a time for new beginnings. Some people clean their homes from top to bottom or share meals with friends. Others pray, light fireworks, or give each other gifts. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Cinco de Mayo is about celebrating! It honors a Mexican Army victory during the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Some people mark the holiday with folk dancing or traditional foods such as chalupas and mole poblano. Others watch parades or attend cultural festivals. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Groundhog Day puts weather prediction in the paws of a rodent! To celebrate this holiday, some people watch Punxsutawney Phil in person, on TV, or online. Others make springtime crafts or have groundhog parties. Listeners will discover how a shared special day can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar New Year with a little girl and her grandparents as they dive into fun family traditions!

Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebrates the life of the civil rights movement leader. Some people observe the day by singing, reading, or watching movies about him. Others volunteer in their community or make peace-inspired crafts. Listeners will discover how a shared holiday can have multiple traditions and be celebrated in all sorts of ways.

Christmas is a time of seasonal cheer, family get-togethers, holiday parties, and-gift giving. Lots and lots - and lots - of gift giving. It's hard to imagine any Christmas without this time-honored custom. But let's stop to consider the gifts we receive - the rooster sweater from Grandma or the singing fish from Uncle Mike. How many of us get gifts we like? How many of us give gifts not knowing what recipients want? Did your cousin really look excited about that jumping alarm clock?

America's Favorite Holidays explores how five of America's culturally important holidays - Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, and Thanksgiving - came to be what they are today, seasonal and religious celebrations heavily influenced by modern popular culture.

We know you'll enjoy visiting the wonderful and transformative city of Budapest! Passport to European Travel Guides offers this comprehensive yet quick and concise five-day guide to Budapest, Hungary - a Central European staple!

When Stuever's narrative begins, he's standing in line with the people waiting to purchase flat-screen TVs at Best Buy on Black Friday, the opening of the Christmas shopping season. From there he follows a number of key residents of Frisco, Texas, as they navigate through the nativity and all its attendant crises.

Were you ever curious about holiday traditions in Peru?Would you like to hear about how they celebrate Christmas in Germany?Then, this audiobook is for you! You will get to hear all about Christmas traditions, food, games, and celebrations! In Amazing Christmas Traditions from Around the World, you’ll hear over 100 cool and amazing traditions, more than 100 different foods, amazing games, and fun that kids have all around the world, and more.