Holidays

就像一棵圣诞树和一个快乐的圣诞老人, the tradition of hanging up stockings signals that the Christmas season has arrived. So, what's popular to stuff in them?

ByJessica Brown&Melanie Radzicki McManus

Time for family visits, chestnuts roasting on an open fire and that other holiday tradition -- receiving a glut of boring, boastful newsletters from distant friends, co-workers and long-lost family. So, make yours stand out from the pack.

ByEmilie Sennebogen

On the first Thanksgiving, the pilgrims wore buckles, the Native Americans brought corn and everyone made merry until the sun went down. Right? That's not the most accurate portrayal of the historical event.

ByCandace Keener

Why do children don ridiculous costumes and bang down doors demanding candy once a year? And what do the ancient Celtic clans of Britain have to do with it?

ByCristen Conger

What do a man named Stingy Jack, the devil and a cross have to do with carving Halloween pumpkins? Everything, it turns out. This long-standing tradition is steeped in folklore and superstition.

ByEmilie Sennebogen

April 1 gives the sneakiest ones among us an excuse for some shenanigans. Out of ideas for this year's springtime skulduggery? HowStuffWorks has 10 gags to completely confuse someone's day.

ByCristen Conger

Whether you're carving, stenciling or painting your pumpkin, we've collected five easy ways to create out-of-this-world pumpkin designs.

ByMaria Trimarchi

万圣节是技巧and treats... and partying! We have 10 cool party ideas for kids, teens and parents alike.

ByMaria Trimarchi

To get to the bottom of why black cats got a bad rap and where revelers can catch glimpse of a ghost, treat yourself to these 10 frighteningly fun Halloween facts.

ByCristen Conger

We have five tricks to making Halloween noise that has you covered whether you're a digital music downloader or a do-it-yourselfer.

ByMaria Trimarchi

You don't need to be a pumpkin-carving Picasso to think outside the typical jack-o'-lantern box, you just need a little spark to get you going.

ByMaria Trimarchi

Money for admission? Check. Willing companion to hold onto during your visit? Check. Second set of pants in case yours are scared off? Check. You're now ready to enter a haunted house.

ByCristen Conger

Holly adorns houses all over the world during the holiday season, but why do we decorate with it? Find out why its crimson berries are so closely associated with the holidays.

ByElizabeth Abbess

There's no doubt that commercialism runs rampant during Christmas. So is the word "Xmas" just another casualty of the modern advertising age? Or does the X in Xmas have its roots in Christianity after all?

BySam Abramson

Have you ever caught yourself singing the "Twelve Days of Christmas" and wondered what geese, doves and milk maids have to do with the holiday?

BySam Abramson

A pack of razors, chocolate-covered truffles and a harmonica -- these are just a few of the random items you might find in a Christmas stocking. Sure, these festive stockings are ideal for stuffing with pint-size presents, but why do we do it?

ByJohn Fuller

The yule log has long been an important symbol of winter. It was an important part of the Winter Solstice for Vikings, and in more modern times, a staple of holiday gatherings. Learn more about the yule log.

BySam Abramson

You might wondering how a fat jolly fellow like Santa can squeeze down a small hole like a chimney. Science to the rescue!

ByJohn Fuller

File: Claus, Santa. Residence: the North Pole. Known aliases: Sinterklaas, St. Nick, Father Time and Sandy Claws. No matter what you call him, Santa Claus is one formidable being.

ByJohn Fuller

Christmas caroling is an age-old tradition. But how did it start? And why won't some carolers go until they get their figgy pudding? Learn about this peculiar but endearing holiday practice.

BySam Abramson

For some, an ideal Christmas is one where a blanket of white snow covers the ground. Irving Berlin wrote about it and Bing Crosby crooned about it. But why is a white Christmas the best Christmas?

ByJohn Fuller

Christmas is celebrated by hundreds of millions of people around the world each year. But what do presents, three wise men and Jesus have to do with each other anyway?

BySarah Dowdey

Underappreciated and overworked elves put in a pretty astounding amount of labor during the holidays. Then there are the other duties they must fulfill, like tending to diva reindeer like Rudolph. So do elves thrive on stress, and do they ever get disgruntled?

ByJohn Fuller

Imagine having to deliver toys (and coal) to children all over the world — in just one night. How does the big guy do it?

ByJohn Fuller

He's been called a diva, a hero and a misfit. He's Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. And his ruby-red honker has long been celebrated for guiding Santa and his sleigh through the night. But how does he do it?

ByJohn Fuller