A Slate slide show on the evolution of the nativity scene.

Quoted: New York's Catholic League sent a letter to the Dept. of Education, protesting the ban of Christian Nativity scenes in area schools—where Jewish menorahs and Muslim emblems of Ramadan are permitted. Is this a clear case of discrimination against the majority and favoritism of the minority? Christmas envy? Or is something else going on?

Damn, rookie Santas can earn up to $10,000 a season!

Quoted: The malls are filled again this year with white-bearded and red-robed men ho-ho-ho-ing away to the some 8,000 kids who come to sit in their laps. But how do you join the ranks of the shopping-mall Santa Clauses?

redotted from derek

i LOVE this tree! after watching charlie brown's christmas as a child, it always made me feel better about our 1970s plastic excuse for a tree (which is still going strong!) :)

Good tips on making cookies, frosting, gingerbread houses, etc.

Quoted: Looking for Christmas cookie recipes? Allrecipes has more than 360 trusted Christmas cookie recipes complete with ratings, reviews and baking tips.

I secretly (or not so secretly) love holiday music...

Quoted: Music critics of The New York Times review the year’s most notable new holiday albums.

Clever commercial. I used to love "A Christmas Story"... Great holiday movie - just a little misanthropic, but still warm and fuzzy. Ha.

Quoted: In the last decade, the movie “A Christmas Story” has become a cult classic that has made it a holiday gleam in the eyes of advertisers.