Christmas, the origin of a world celebration

Christmas is now celebrated on December 25th in more than 90 countries around the world. The festival has its origins in pagan festivals marking the northern hemisphere's winter solstice...

There is no such thing as the perfect family Christmas

Charlotte Cripps, The Independent The Duchess of Sussex flawlessly pulls together a picture-perfect Christmas in Montecito, California, where she lives with Prince Harry and their two children, Archie, six,...

Pure humanity

Prince William taking his son, Prince George, to help prepare Christmas lunch for the homeless is a quietly powerful gesture, rich in meaning beyond its headlines. At a time...

A simple wish

From Marietta to millions, ‘Elf on the Shelf’ turns 20

Traditions around the holidays are meant to be passed down for generations: songs, ornaments, recipes. So creating a new tradition that resonates with families worldwide is nothing short of...

Christmas spirit returns to Bethlehem after ceasefire in Gaza

At midnight on Christmas Eve, the words of the traditional hymn 'The Night of Christmas” will ring out in the tiny grotto in Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity, built...

Tip Time

Bethlehem glows again

Seasonal celebrations returned last weekend to the West Bank town of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus Christ, when the coloured lights on the massive Christmas tree blossomed for the...

The 2025 Zezima family Christmas letter

Jerry Zezima, Tribune News Service Since I am in the holiday spirit (and, having just consumed a mug of hot toddy, a glass of eggnog and a nip of...

Readers divided over ideal Christmas timing

Christmas spirit — and a fair bit of sass — poured out of the comments as Independent readers waded into one of the biggest festive debates: when should the...