The Little Match Girl: A Winter Fairytale
The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen is a timeless winter fairy tale about poverty, hope, and compassion. And today I’m writing about the story’s origins, meaning, and enduring importance.
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The Twelve Months: A Winter Folktale
The Twelve Months is a classic winter folktale about kindness, seasons, and quiet magic that resonates during the winter months.
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East of the Sun and West of the Moon
“East of the Sun and West of the Moon” is a classic Norwegian fairy tale, and it’s one of the most powerful (and romantic) stories in the fairy-tale canon.
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Epiphany: The Day the Waiting Ended
The Epiphany is the last of the 12 Days of Christmas. To celebrate, here’s a brief history of the day’s meaning and a bread recipe that is sure to bring you luck!
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The Snow Queen: A Love Story Written in Ice and Tears
Today I’m talking about Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, examining love, emotional distance, and why Gerda’s journey remains a powerful blueprint for enduring love stories.
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A Tale of Two Kings
As the seasons turn, so does an ancient story about the Holly King and the Oak King, a myth of light and shadow, growth and rest, and the quiet promise that the light always returns.
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A Poinsettia for Christmas
The history of poinsettias at Christmastime is rooted in a legend of young girl from Mexico filled with symbolism, culture, and long, difficult journey to South Carolina.
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Merry Christmas Said the Spider
Merry Christmas! I love stories about this season, but this tale about the faith of a baby spider is my favorite. I hope you enjoy it–and the day–as well.
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The 1914 Christmas Truce: The Day War Paused for Peace
The real story behind the 1914 Christmas Truce, when German and Allied soldiers paused World War I to share carols, exchange gifts, and even play an impromptu soccer match in No Man’s Land, is an extraordinary moment of peace that still inspires us today.
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All About the Christmas Stocking
I still love getting Christmas stockings, and I especially love the origins of this tradition, from ancient legends to modern traditions and why we still hang them by the fireplace today.
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When Christmas Gets Scary
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it can sometimes get scary with the eerie Alpine tradition of Krampusnacht. It’s the night when Krampus—a horned, fearsome creature—emerges to punish misbehaving children.
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A Dark, Dark Day and Night
The longest night of the year, the Winter Solstice, begins tonight. And for centuries, people have celebrated and hoped for an early spring and a return of the light.
