Christmas is an occasion rich in tradition and history. People around the world may observe this season in various ways yet one thing is for sure, everybody is experiencing the best times of their life in Christmas. Most people spend it with their family and friends, relishing each other’s company, remembering warm memories, and making fresh ones.

They say that things, good or bad, go in threes. Christmas has many special traditions yet the three that are obvious are Christmas trees, fruit cakes and Christmas cards.

Each family has its own secret recipe in preparing fruit cakes that is well-kept and handed down from one generation to another. Around the world, fruit cakes have many varieties as the difference in the ingredients added become evident. In the UK, for one, fruit cakes are richer in flavor and moist in texture than their US counterpart. Fruit cakes are likewise a part of the UK Christmas tradition, usually coated with marzipan and royal icing. They are then embellished with holly leaves, artificial or real berries, and other ornaments commemorating Christmas.

Now, what is Christmas without the tree crammed with colorful lights and ornaments? It is likewise a special Christmas practice wherein the fathers and their sons go out and select the tree and the whole family decorates it, with the special privilege granted to the youngest member of the family to put the star on top of the tree. By tradition, the tree is set up and decorated at Christmas Eve, December 24th and will be removed the day following twelfth night, January 6th. Evergreens and coniferous trees are the widely used trees and the firs, pines and spruces being the three most popular species.

Nevertheless, gifts and personalized Christmas cards are a way of life. Hence, Christmas would not be complete without receiving and giving away a Christmas token in one way or another. People use up lots of their time planning what to send their family on this special occasion. It is likewise known to everybody that Christmas is the most hectic shopping time of the year where people are more willing to splurge in the spirit of giving and of Christmas. Business Christmas cards are handed out by large corporations to let their clients realize how much the establishment is grateful for their loyalty and hope for a healthier relationship in the future.

These are simply three of the Christmas traditions that, whether we like it or not, we all anticipate each year. After the Yuletide season, after clearing out the disarray in the kitchen, after taking down the tree, we are so eager for the next Christmas season.