Christmas

Read the most recent news stories about Christmas on Newser.com

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Yes, There Is a Santa Claus. No, COVID Won't Stop Him

NORAD is tracking St. Nick for the 66th year

(Newser) - Rest assured, kids of all ages: Santa’s coming this Christmas Eve, and a second holiday with COVID-19 won’t stop him. That’s the word from the joint US-Canadian military operation that for 66 years has been tracking Jolly Old St. Nicholas on his global mission and has assured...

These US Cities Have the Most, Least Holiday Spirit

New York City is the most festive of all, while Enterprise, Nev., is a bit of a Grinch

(Newser) - With 2022 almost upon us, it's the time of year when we wind down and kick back, which often includes a fair bit of festivities. LawnStarter wanted to know which places boast the most spirit of the season, so the site looked at the 200 largest cities in the...

Bishop's Diocese Apologizes After He Freaks Out Kids

Parents were horrified when he told children Santa doesn't exist

(Newser) - A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that Santa Claus doesn’t exist. In a Facebook post and subsequent comments Friday, the diocese of Noto insisted that Bishop Antonio Stagliano didn’t mean to dash the dreams of...

Christmas and Guns: 2 Images Stoke Controversy
2 Holiday Tweets Stoke
Controversy Over Guns
the rundown
Dec 6, 2021 11:15 AM CST

2 Holiday Tweets Stoke Controversy Over Guns

Sheriff's office and a congressman post Christmas messages

(Newser) - Two images with the themes of guns and Christmas made headlines over the weekend, one from a congressman and the other from a sheriff's office. Both drew condemnation from critics but defenses from advocates of gun rights. Adding to the controversy: Both came within days of the deadly school...

Biden White House Reveals 'Gifts From the Heart' Theme

Decorations include gingerbread White House recognizing workers who braved the pandemic

(Newser) - “Gifts from the Heart” is the theme of President Joe Biden's first White House Christmas. First lady Jill Biden was scheduled on Monday to unveil decorations matching the theme, said to be inspired by people the couple met as they traveled the country this year, the AP reports....

Protesters Confront 'Black Pete' at Holiday Event

Demonstrations have gone on for a decade against controversial Dutch sidekick to Santa

(Newser) - About 100 anti-racism protesters chanted "Kick out Black Pete!" on Saturday at an event where children could meet the Dutch version of Santa Claus and his controversial sidekick. The "Black Pete" character, often played by adults wearing blackface makeup, has sparked a decade of demonstrations and counterdemonstrations...

Judge Has 'Gift to Tired Parents' With Elf on the Shelf

Jokey ban on Christmas season doll in Cobb County, Ga., will end the 'tyranny'

(Newser) - Santa may have fewer eyes in homes this Christmas season after a Georgia judge—jokingly—banned the Elf on the Shelf. Cobb County Superior Court Chief Judge Robert Leonard posted a mock order on Twitter Thursday banishing these elves. "Tired of living in Elf on the Shelf tyranny? Not...

Don&#39;t Buy Anything New This Holiday Season
Don't Buy Anything
New This Holiday Season
OPINION roundup
Nov 8, 2021 11:05 AM CST

Don't Buy Anything New This Holiday Season

Columnist says shopping secondhand is better for the world, and more fun

(Newser) - We may be barely a week past Halloween, but the holiday shopping season is already upon us—and in the New York Times , Annaliese Griffin suggests you don't purchase any new presents this year. The reasons for buying secondhand gifts are numerous: the global supply-chain delays are causing shortages...

Trumps Issue Christmas Message
Trumps Issue
Christmas Message
Dec 25, 2020 7:02 AM CST

Trumps Issue Christmas Message

COVID vaccine is 'truly a Christmas miracle'

(Newser) - After what the AP calls "tossing a grenade" on a bipartisan COVID relief bill in a "final raised middle finger to Republicans," the outgoing president of the United States is safely ensconced in his Mar-a-Lago resort for the Christmas holiday. Trump spent Christmas Eve golfing at his...

Kevin Spacey's Christmas Eve Message: 'It Gets Better'

Actor speaks to everyone feeling despondent amid the holidays

(Newser) - Kevin Spacey, apparently like the pope , has delivered his annual Christmas Eve message, but this year the controversial actor struck a less-weird , more somber tone geared at those to whom the holiday season brings utter desolation and hopelessness instead of peace and joy. Spacey posted a 2.5-minute video, dressed...

Johnson Gives Bad News 'With a Very Heavy Heart'

Britain's PM tells many people to cancel Christmas

(Newser) - Families must cancel their Christmas gatherings and most shops have to close in London and much of southern England, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday as he imposed a new, stricter level of coronavirus restrictions on the region to curb rapidly spreading infections, the AP reports. Johnson said Saturday that...

Bon Jovi&#39;s Christmas Cover Causes a Stir
Bon Jovi's Christmas
Cover Causes a Stir
in case you missed it
Dec 13, 2020 10:25 AM CST

Bon Jovi's Christmas Cover Causes a Stir

At least some of the Pogues apparently not pleased with redo of 'Fairytale of New York'

(Newser) - Jon Bon Jovi's new sanitized version of a politically incorrect 1980s Christmas hit has the song's originators, the Pogues, feeling scrappy. That's per the Irish Mirror , where it was reported that the Irish rock legends retweeted a message Wednesday referring to Bon Jovi's rendition of "...

Mall Santa Allegedly Exposes Himself to Teen in Breakroom

In another incident, a Santa refused a boy's Nerf gun request.

(Newser) - Police in Milford, Conn., arrested a mall Santa on Monday for allegedly exposing himself to a teenaged co-worker. Prince Carter, 45, faces charges of fourth-degree sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, per the Hartford Courant . Carter is said to have grabbed and hugged the teen during the...

It&#39;s a World Record for ... Singing Port-a-Potties
Singing Port-a-Potties
Clinch a World Record
VIDEO
Dec 9, 2020 12:47 PM CST

Singing Port-a-Potties Clinch a World Record

That would be for 'most animated faces on a single holiday light display'

(Newser) - The Jingle Johns are back, and in a big way. This year, the singing port-a-potties brought to you by Indiana’s Service Sanitation have apparently set a World Record while saying "Hallelujah" to the end of 2020. "Fusing together the elements of lights, music, and #portapotties, the #JingleJohns...

Controversial First Christmas Card Is Now Up for Grabs

People making merry on the 1843 card irked Victorian-era teetotalers

(Newser) - The first commercially printed Christmas card is up for sale—a merry Victorian-era scene that scandalized some when it first appeared in 1843. The card, being sold online starting Friday through a consortium run by Marvin Getman, a Boston-based dealer in rare books and manuscripts, depicts an English family toasting...

Belgium: Designate 1 Bathroom User This Christmas

Anyone else who must go must go home, government says

(Newser) - With Belgium having more coronavirus-related deaths per capita than any nation in the world, Christmas there is not just a celebration but an issue. The nation already is under a four-person limit for gatherings, the Washington Post reports, and they must be held outdoors. Those rules will hold for the...

Trump: &#39;It&#39;s Hard to Get Into the Supreme Court&#39;
Trump: 'It's
Hard to Get
Into the
Supreme 
Court'
sunday talk shows
Nov 29, 2020 1:25 PM CST

Trump: 'It's Hard to Get Into the Supreme Court'

The president addresses whether he can take his election case to the high court

(Newser) - President Trump struck a somber note Sunday about his attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, CNBC reports. "Well, the problem is, it's hard to get into the Supreme Court," he said on Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures. "I've got the best Supreme Court advocates,...

Ireland Declares Santa an Essential Worker

But to maintain social distance, children shouldn't stay up waiting for him

(Newser) - With 29 days to go until Christmas, Ireland has reassured worried children that COVID restrictions won't stop Santa Claus. Simon Coveny, the country's minister for foreign affairs, confirmed Thursday that Santa's travels will be classed as "essential travel for essential purpose," the Irish Times reports....

White House Plans Parties Amid Warnings to Hunker Down

Melania Trump will host 'holiday reception,' with other parties to follow

(Newser) - Health officials have been issuing warnings against traveling and gathering for the holidays in the midst of a coronavirus surge across the US, but 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue doesn't seem fazed by the cautionary advice. Despite the White House's own issues with COVID-19 after an indoor election night party...

Whew: Charlie Brown Specials Returning to TV

'Peanuts' skipped Halloween, will be back for Thanksgiving and Christmas

(Newser) - The Great Pumpkin never showed on broadcast television this year, but after a deal with PBS, the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and Christmas specials will return to the air, the AP reports. Last month, Apple TV+ became the new home to the beloved Peanuts holiday specials. That sparked an outcry from...

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