十大圣誕傳統及其起源（組圖）

Holly and ivy 冬青和常春藤

Synonymous with Christmas and the subject of a traditional British folk carol, both holly and ivy were originally used in pre-Christian times to celebrate the winter solstice. As they provide a rare splash of colour in the darkest month of the year, their popularity has endured.
提到圣誕節，人們就會想起冬青和常春藤，這兩種植物還被寫成了一首英國傳統民謠。在前基督時代，人們用冬青和常春藤裝點房屋來慶祝冬至。在一年中最陰冷的時節，冬青和常春藤給房間帶來了一抹生機勃勃的綠色，因此幾千年來一直廣受歡迎。

Christmas crackers 圣誕拉炮

London sweet-maker Tom Smith invented Christmas crackers in the late 1840s, inspired by traditional, paper-wrapped French bonbons. Even though he included mottos or riddles inside each, it was not until he found a way to make them “crack” when pulled apart that sales took off. His sons Tom, Walter and Henry later added hats and novelty gifts.
受傳統的用紙包裹的法國棒棒糖啟發，倫敦糖果商湯姆?史密斯在19世紀40年代末發明了圣誕拉炮。盡管他在每只圣誕拉炮里都會放格言或謎語，但直到他想出法子讓其在拉動包裝紙的時候發出啪的一聲，圣誕拉炮的銷量才開始飆升。他的兒子湯姆、沃爾特和亨利后來又加進了紙帽子和新奇禮物等創意。