A white Christmas means there is snow on the ground on Christmas Day (December 25th), with official definitions often requiring at least one inch (2.5 cm) of snow cover at a specific time, like 7 a.m. local time, though the popular idea includes active snowfall or even a light dusting. Culturally, it symbolizes an idealized, picturesque holiday, evoking feelings of tranquility and family, famously popularized by the song "White Christmas".
A white Christmas is officially defined as having at least 1 inch of snow on the ground at 7 am local time Christmas Day. This is called snow depth. Official snow depth measurements are taken at this time around the United States at official climate observing stations (approximately 9,800 stations).
A "white Christmas" rule varies by location, but generally means snow on the ground; in the U.S., it's defined by the National Weather Service as 1 inch or more of snow on the ground on Christmas morning, while in the UK, the official definition is snow observed falling at any time on Christmas Day, even if it melts.
White is a quiet powerhouse in the Christmas palette, symbolizing snow-dusted rooftops, icy mornings, and a sense of calm that comes with winter. White represents purity, peace, and new beginnings in many traditions.
"The kind of deep secret of the song may be that it was Berlin responding in some way to his melancholy about the death of his son," Rosen said. He wrote "White Christmas" for a musical that eventually morphed into the 1942 classic flick Holiday Inn and ended up winning an Academy Award for the song.
According to Christian teaching, Christmas should be celebrated for 12 days beginning on Dec. 25 and running through Jan. 6. The last day is known as Epiphany. Because the Christmas season doesn't traditionally end until Jan. 6 in Christian theology, many opt to keep their decor up for the full 12-day period.
Only 20 Christmases have seen measurable (greater than a trace) new snowfall since 1893 (or, about 16% of the time). Only four of these days recorded more than an inch. Another definition of a White Christmas can mean the presence of snow cover on the ground (with or without snowfall that day).
If you're on the fence about what colors to incorporate into your Christmas card color palette, you can always fall back on the most traditional Christmas colors of all—red and green.
Typically, a black Christmas refers to a snowless Christmas. But I think it calls upon a double-meaning on the absence of something more than just snow — hope. It's the antithesis to a white Christmas in the literal and figurative, and it might be why some of us feel unease, dread, or despair during the holiday season.
Some Aussies have woken up this morning in awe after being treated to a white Christmas. The rare phenomenon last occurred almost two decades ago. The summer snow is falling as low as 700 metres above sea level in Tasmania on Thursday morning, leaving those lucky enough to enjoy it reeling in excitement.
The 5 Gift Rule for Christmas is a minimalist gifting strategy that simplifies holiday shopping by focusing on five thoughtful categories for each person: Something they Want, Something they Need, Something to Wear, Something to Read, and Something to Do (or Experience), with some variations swapping 'Do' for a surprise gift. It encourages intentional purchasing, reduces clutter, and helps manage expectations by providing structure and meaning, focusing on experiences and thoughtful items rather than excessive toys.
This was a new kind of Christmas carol. It did not mention the birth of Jesus, angels or wise men – and it was a song that all Americans, including Jewish immigrants, could embrace.
The song established that there could be commercially successful secular Christmas songs—in this case, written by a Jewish immigrant to the United States.
One of the main reasons that the Victorians put Snow and Christmas together was the book A Christmas Carol written in 1843 by Charles Dickens (opens big).
What is a white Christmas? For the Met Office to declare a 'white Christmas', a single snowflake has to be observed falling on the 24 hours of 25 December, by either an official Met Office observer or by a Met Office automated weather station.
Red and green became Christmas staples thanks to ancient Celts who believed holly plants brought good luck and beauty during winter. In Christianity, red symbolizes the blood of Jesus, and green represents eternal life through evergreen trees.
Traditionally, Christmas decorations come down by January 6th, the feast of Epiphany, marking the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (which run from Dec 25th to Jan 5th). Many people take them down on the night of January 5th (Twelfth Night) or on January 6th itself, believing it's bad luck to leave them up longer, though some traditions and individuals wait until later, even until February (Candlemas) or whenever they feel ready.
The English folk figure "Father Christmas" originally wore green robes which eventually turned red over time. This was mainly due to St Nicholas, whose legend modern portrayals of Father Christmas are based on, often appearing in paintings and illustrations wearing red-coloured robes.
In the United States, the official definition of a white Christmas is that there has to be a snow depth of at least 1 in or 2.5 cm on the ground on 25 December in the contiguous United States, and in Canada the official definition is that there has to be more than 2 cm (0.79 in) on the ground on Christmas Day.
Yellow and orange are definitely outside the proverbial box when it comes to holiday colors.
Long-term weather data and climate trends indicate that widespread snow on Christmas morning has historically been relatively rare across much of the United States—and is becoming even less likely as temperatures continue to warm.
The Scriptures neither command nor forbid the celebration of Christmas. Christians should celebrate and remember the Lord and what He has done for us, including His birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection every day, including Christmas.
Based on this winter solstice link, the "History of Religions hypothesis" or "Substitution theory" proposes the Church chose 25 December as the birthday of Jesus (dies Natalis Christi) to appropriate the Roman festival of the birthday of the Invincible Sun (dies Natalis Solis Invicti), held on the same date.
Most people take down their Christmas tree on January 6th (Epiphany), marking the end of the twelve days of Christmas, though some wait until mid-January or take it down sooner, like after New Year's Day or Boxing Day, depending on tradition, practicality, or personal preference, with safety being a concern for dry live trees.