By Andy Zimmer When people think of Christmas mythology, figures like Santa Claus often come to mind first. However, the stories associated with Christmas and the wider winter season are far older and far more diverse than any single tradition. Long before Christmas became a Christian holiday, cultures across Europe, Asia, and beyond marked the winter solstice and surrounding months with myths that helped explain darkness, scarcity, renewal, and hope. Early Christian leaders

By Andy Zimmer For many children, writing a letter to Santa Claus is one of the earliest experiences they have with intentional writing. It blends imagination with communication, belief with ritual, and storytelling with real-world action. While it often feels timeless, the tradition of writing letters to Santa is a relatively modern practice shaped by literacy, culture, and changing ideas about childhood. Understanding where this tradition comes from reveals how deeply it is