Despite being what most people associate with holiday festivity, the Christmas tree possesses a widely contested and debated origin. The tradition of placing evergreen plants in one’s home to celebrate a winter holiday stretches back to Ancient Egypt and Rome. However, the first modern iteration of a Christmas tree likely emerged in either one of the Baltic cities of Tallinn, Estonia, or Riga, Latvia. Records from 1441 state that a tree was erected in the Tallinn town square for a yuletide dance, whereas other records show that a group of merchants erected a tree laden in decorations in Riga to celebrate the winter solstice of 1510. It wasn’t until much later that the tradition exploded in popularity. In 19^th Century Germany, the Christmas Tree was a common wintertime practice. As German immigrants arrived to the United States in droves, they took this tradition with them. However, adopting such a practice was deemed “unamerican,” until a British newspaper published an illustration of Queen Victoria with her German husband and children standing around a Christmas Tree. Wanting to keep up with those across the pond, Americans quickly adopted the tradition of putting Christmas trees in their homes.

With its nine branches of candles, the menorah is the most recognizable symbol of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights. According to the Talmud (a Jewish book of law and theology), in 164 B.C.E., a group known as the Seleucids planned on attacking and “hellenizing” the Jews in Jerusalem (hellenize = to make something / someone Greek in nature). In particular, they wanted the Jews to renounce their religion and their faith in God. However, the ragtag group of Jewish rebels maintained their faith and their defiance against the Seleucids, and managed to defeat them. Upon their return to their now desecrated and partially razed temple, the Jews realized that they only possessed enough consecrated olive oil to light the Temple Menorah for just one day. Miraculously, the menorah remained lit for not one, but eight nights. To reenact the miracle of the oil lasting, Jewish people around the globe light candles for eight sequential nights during the celebration of Hanukkah. To light all of the other candles, Jews use a “shammash”, or attendant candle, situated on the ninth branch of the menorah.

Ramadan is a sacred month and time of spiritual reflection in Islam. The most profound tradition that is observed during this time is fasting, wherein practicing Muslims refrain from drinking or eating from sunrise to sundown. According to Muslim beliefs, around the year 610 C.E., the prophet Muhammad went to the top of a mountain called Jabal al-Hira where he was visited by the archangel Gabriel, who commanded Muhammad to be a prophet of God. It is during the 30 days thereafter (known as the First Ramadan) that it is believed that Muhammad received all of his holy scriptures. During this time, practicing Muslims decorate their homes with lamps, crescents, and lights. Further, Muslims refrain from eating when the sun shines, unless one is elderly or ill. After sunset, the fast is considered broken, and Muslims are permitted to eat in fellowship with their family and/or friends. On the 27^th night of Ramadan, known as the Night of Power, many Muslims recite additional prayers from the Quran, as it is believed that it was this day that Muhammad received his first revelation. Ramadan ends with a celebration called Eid-al-Fitr, wherein Muslims exchange gifts, gather with friends and family, and feast.