Various superstitions and folk traditions surround this holiday many of which I'm sure you have heard of
others you may find of interest.
 
 

Christmas CAKES were usually eaten on Christmas eve in the
19th century, though it was unlucky to cut into the cake before
that day dawned and a portion had to be preserved uneaten
until Christmas Day itself.

The DOORS of the house used to be opened at midnight
to let out any evil spirits.

Christmas CANDLES were placed in a window to burn
all night long to guarantee the household's luck for another year.
It was thought to be BAD LUCK if the candle burned out before
the family rose.



 

Ever wonder where the color of RED and GREEN came from and how it got to be associated with this holiday?
The dominant color scheme of the holiday season reflects the popularity of holly among both Romans & Britons.
Holly like other evergreens, was commonly used as a winter decoration in the hope that the plant's remarkable ability to survive throughout the "death" of winter would lend a similar strength to people's homes. During the Romans Saturnalia, berried holly was placed in windows, T.G. Crippen suggest, as an offer of hospitality to the spirits of 
the then denuded wood.

The green and red poinsettia, native to Central America, has been a Christmas symbol in the US since the early 12820's. It's shape is frequently compared to the mythically symmetrical Star of Bethlehem.

 

Christmas Eve is a time when the supernatural may be
consulted about the future.

  Lovestruck girls (This is for you Lil Net) are advised
that on Christmas Eve they may be granted a vision of their
future partner: all they have to do is walk backwards to a
pear tree, around which they must then walk nine times.

Alternately, if a girl taps on a hen house and gets a reply
from the hens inside, she will not marry this year; if a
COCK cries at her tap then a wedding is in the cards.

  OK, so you don't have a pear tree or a hen house,
you may try this one. Scatter twelve sage leaves in the
wind and thus conjure up the image of a lover-to-be.



 

Christmas Cards: The sending of Yuletide greetings in
America did not become popular until the 1870's when the German lithographer Louis Prang began producing Christmas cards in Boston.

Christmas Day has several Omens and lore surrounding it.
  The first person to open the door on Christmas morning
to welcome in the spirit of Christmas is VERY lucky.
  This one is for you FRAN pay attention *grin*
It is also said to bring good fortune to your house if
the first visitor on Christmas morning happens to be a
dark  man (the arrival of a woman or a redhead is, however
a bad omen).

  If the SUN is shining on Christmas Day it is said you
can expect a fine harvest the coming year.

  The Christmas pudding : During its preparation must be
stirred in an east to west direction by every member of the
household, even babies, if the luck of the household is to
prosper, AND a girl who omits to take part in this ritual
can forget her chances of ever being married.  Those that
stir the pudding can make a wish while doing so but must keep it to
themselves if they want it to come true.
Some further believe you placing a silver coin into it,
which is said to bestow good luck onto the finder, a ring
placed into it and found will hasten a wedding in a family and
a thimble for prosperity.

Children born on Christmas Day itself will never
be troubled by Ghost and are safe from drowning or
hanging.  Those born on Christmas eve are deemed
especially lucky.



 

Christmas Gifts: The custom of exchanging presents at Christmas is commonly linked to the Magi's visit to the infant Jesus and their gifts to him of gold. Actually, gift-giving at the time of winter solstice was a Roman custom before Jesus' time.

In modern times the end of the Christmas season
comes with the TWELFTH DAY NIGHT, when all
decorations must be taken down or pain of extreme bad
luck will bestow you the coming year.