Carl Pettit

Christmas traditions around the world can be quite different from what we’re used to at home.

Christmas is the time of giving and families, but it also has a darker side.

Santa Claus, who without a doubt really does exist, doesn’t have time to make a personal appearance in every Hollywood movie about Christmas ever made. Instead, he relies on a number of talented actors to portray him on the silver screen.

Globes and angels and stars are fine, but for the folks who like to be a little more imaginative with their Christmas-tree decorations—whether from boredom or budget—we’ve come up with a list of five unusual ways to help get the creative wheels in your noggin spinning:

Christmas means toys, food, holiday cards, laughter, singing, family squabbles and lot of sweets stuffed inside your belly. The festive season also means a ton of money will be spent on those near and dear to us—and with so many sales going on, maybe just a bit on yourself as well.

The open road offers up a lot of possibilities. You’ve got adventure, new and strange destinations, gorgeous scenery, and the opportunity to escape the humdrums of your normal life, plus all of the interesting characters you’ll meet along the way. All you have to do is decide on a route, get into the car and drive.

If vertigo isn’t an issue for you, and you have no problem keeping your lunch down while hurtling through space, then you just might be a roller coaster fan.

People are always trying to eat healthier or lose weight. The media sends out a constant onslaught of new information about what you should and shouldn’t eat.

Some seek out fame, while others are addicted to adrenaline and risk. No matter the reasons, stuntmen and stuntwomen have risked life and limb to give us thrills.

What you wear into the water, and how much skin you choose to reveal, is now mostly a matter of modesty (or lack thereof) and personal taste. Not so long ago, the options were much more limited, for men and women both.

There seems to be a holiday for every member of the family these days, but none is probably more important than Mother’s Day. What daughter or son would dare forget the woman who gave birth to them? With that in mind, here are a few historical tidbits about the origins of Mother’s Day.

It’s that time of year again, when you have to watch out for tricksters. April Fool’s Day is the perfect excuse for any prankster in your immediate area to practice his or her craft. So, what’s the real story behind the origins of this, um, ‘holiday?’ Well, it’s no joke — there are many possible explanations.