(But for all the historians in the group -- how was Advent and Christmas celebrated and what are some historical traditions.) Marilyn, in past years we have had extensive discussion about food and other traditions on this site and it was great fun to learn how the same traditions had come down in families that scattered across the country. I did a PowerPoint program on Christmas traditions for the Olde Mecklenburg Genealogy Society in Charlotte in November. It is too extensive to discuss here, but if anyone is interested, I would be happy to make my research available. Many of the American Christmas customs were brought to America by the German immigrants. The Lutheran Church began the use of the Advent wreath. ptn