Strip away the gifts, the lights, and the feasting, and Christmas began as one thing: a religious festival marking the birth of Jesus Christ. For roughly a third of the world’s people, that meaning still sits at the center of the season. This guide explains the religious side of Christmas […]
By Theme
Discover holidays and festivals through the experiences they offer. Browse celebrations by themes like Food & Drink, Music & Arts, Seasons & Harvest, or Light & Fire. Find the perfect event that matches your passion, no matter where or when it happens.
Christmas Foods Around the World: 30 Traditional Dishes by Country
Ask people what Christmas tastes like and you will get a different answer in every country. For one family it is a dark pudding set alight at the table. For another it is corn dough steamed in husks, a spicy stew scooped up with flatbread, or a cold slice of […]
Santa Claus and His Global Cousins: Christmas Gift-Bringers Around the World
Almost every Christmas culture has someone who brings the gifts. In the United States and much of the world it is Santa Claus, a round, red suited man with a sleigh and a workshop at the North Pole. But travel a little and the gift bringer changes. He might be […]
Christmas Around the World: 25 Country Traditions You Should Know
Christmas looks different in every corner of the world. In one country it arrives with snow, candles, and a quiet church service. In another it lands in the middle of summer, on a beach, with cold prawns and a barbecue. The date can shift, the gift bringer changes name and […]
The History of Christmas: From Winter Solstice to a Global Holiday
Christmas feels timeless. The tree, the carols, the gifts, the man in the red suit. Yet almost none of it arrived at once, and much of it is younger than people assume. The holiday we celebrate today was assembled slowly, over nearly two thousand years, from older festivals, a religious […]
Mother’s Day Gift Baskets & Bundles Worth Buying in 2026: A Complete Guide for Every Budget
A well-chosen gift basket says several things at once, which is why it remains one of the most reliable Mother’s Day gifts. Mother’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, May 10. This guide breaks down the best Mother’s Day gift baskets and bundles for 2026, from spa and self-care to coffee, […]
Top Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Mother’s Day Gifts
For shoppers who want a gift that honours both their mother and the planet, the usual imported roses and plastic-wrapped boxes can feel out of step. Mother’s Day 2026 falls on Sunday, May 10. This guide gathers eco-friendly and sustainable Mother’s Day gifts for 2026, organised by category and budget, […]
DIY Mother’s Day Gifts & Homemade Cards on a Budget
Handmade gifts consistently rank among the gifts mothers value most: in one 2025 survey, a quarter of mothers said they most wanted something handmade, ahead of jewellery and clothing. Mother’s Day 2026 is Sunday, May 10. This guide covers DIY Mother’s Day gifts and homemade cards on a budget, with […]
Mother’s Day Gift Ideas for Wife: What She Actually Wants (From the Person Who Should Know Best)
Mother’s Day 2026 is Sunday, May 10, and roughly a quarter of shoppers buy for a wife or partner. Yet surveys show a gap between what partners buy and what mothers actually want: in one YouGov poll, the most-wanted gift was simply being taken out for a meal, followed by […]
Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gift Ideas That Don’t Feel Last-Minute (2026 Guide)
By a globe-trotting folklore and festival researcher who has watched mothers be honored on six continents — and still scrambles for a gift every May. You had weeks. You had months. And yet, here you are. May 10 is hurtling toward you like a freight train with a floral arrangement […]