Category: Holiday traditions

Christmas feasts can involve consuming up to 6000 calories in a single day, nearly three times the average recommended daily intake for adults. This overconsumption is not accidental but a result of deep-seated psychological, social, and historical factors that converge during the festive season.

There are actually two distinct things known as "sugar plums," and both are entirely edible. But are sugar plums edible in the way you might think from the classic poem "The Night Before Christmas"? The answer reveals a fascinating history behind the festive treat.

According to German tradition brought to the United States in the 18th century, eating pork on New Year's Day is a sign of good fortune because pigs 'root forward' when they eat, symbolizing progress. The question of what meat do you eat on New Year's Day is often tied to these and other cultural superstitions, with specific animals thought to bring prosperity, health, and a promising start to the new year.

Did you know that the custom of eating chocolate on Easter Sunday is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition of ending the 40-day Lenten fast? The symbolic feast marks a joyous return to foods previously given up, including eggs and sweets.